Contemporary World Architecture

Description

Contemporary World Architecture is a comprehensive survey of international architecture from the late 1960s to the end of the twentieth century, offering a critical study of the social, cultural and political changes that have shaped the built environment. Continual advances in building technology, shifting demographics and increasing levels of global communications have a continuing impact on architectural ideology and building types.

This extensive volume is divided into 13 chapters, each organized typologically by building function: Visual Arts, Performance, Learning, Religion, Consumerism, Living, Workplace, Industry, Leisure, Transport, Sport, Civic Realm and Towers. It presents over 660 recent public and private buildings by many of the world’s key protagonists, examining the evolution of new architectural solutions from the late 1960s to the end of the century. Now available for the first time in paperback, this intricately illustrated and rigorous critique will provide a stimulating and invaluable reference book for a wide audience.

Hugh Pearman is a London-based writer, broadcaster and lecturer. He has been architecture and design critic for The Sunday Times since 1986, and contributes to numerous other newspapers, magazines and journals worldwide. He is also the author of Equilibrium: the Work of Nicholas Grimshaw & Partners, also published by Phaidon.

“This is surely the most comprehensive guide we have to the recent history of architecture.”—Architects’ Journal

“A major contribution to late twentieth century architectural writing.”—FX magazine

“Magisterial.”—The Times

“A remarkable work that gives new meaning to the term magnum opus. Essential reading for anyone seriously interested in the architecture of our time.”—amazon.com

“Pearman has a remarkable ability to bring order to a vast amount of information and quickly identify the key issues, forces, and trends driving the development of each of his 13 species of buildings.”—Architectural Record