Architecture of the Night: The Illuminated Building (Architecture S.) [Hardcover]

Dietrich Neumann (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Architecture S. | Publication Date: August 2002

The art of architectural floodlighting, which first came into existence at the beginning of the 20th century, has seen a world-wide renaissance in more recent years. This is an in-depth and illustrated account of the history of architectural illumination in American and European cities. While the work serves as a historical survey of architectural lighting throughout the 20th century, it also examines the cultural, social and artistic issues surrounding this phenomenon. During the 1920s and 30s architectural floodlighting was at its most intense, considered an essentially modern abstract art form that crossed the boundaries between film, architecture and painting. This study explores this dynamic period in depth, considers its impact today, and addresses the new issues that confront contemporary lighting, such as "light pollution", conservation, and aesthetics. The book features close to 200 illustrations and examines 100 examples of building illumination, including the Opera House, Paris (1880), the Gas and Electric Building, Denver (1910), the Empire State Building, New York (1931), the Seagram Building, New York (1958), the Lloyds Building, London (1988), and the Anzeiger Hochhaus, Hanover (2000).

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A spectacular and enlightening volume." -- Herman Miller, July 2003

"More than 300 photos and illustrations (...) capture the enchantments of architectural lighting, past and present." -- The Providence Journal-Bulletin, December 5, 2002

"The essays are well illustrated with photographs and contemporary postcards. This fine and accessible work(...)is recommended for large collections." -- Library Journal, June 2003

More than 300 photos and illustrations ... capture the enchantments of architectural lighting, past and present. -- The Providence Journal-Bulletin, December 5, 2002

The essays are well illustrated with photographs and contemporary postcards. -- Library Journal, June 2003

From the Publisher

While the book serves as a histirical survey of architectural lighting throughout the twentieth century, it also examines the cultural, social, and artistic issues surrounding this phenomenon. During the 1920's and 1930's architectural floodlighting was at its most intense, considered an essentially modern abstract art form that crossed the boundaries between film, architecture, and painting. "Architecture of the Night" explores this dynamic period in depth, considers its impact today, and addresses the new issues that confront contemporary lighting, such as "light pollution", conservation, and aesthetics. The book features close to 200 illustrations and examines 100 examples of building illumination, including the Paris Opera House (1880), the Gas and Electric Building, Denver (1910), the Empire State Building, New York (1931), the Seargram Building, New York (1958), the Lloyds Building, London (1988) and the Anzeiger Hochhaus, Hanover (2000)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791325876
• ISBN-13: 978-3791325873
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,022,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Architecture of the Night, April 17, 2004

By 

Michael Webb (London, England > Los Angeles, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Architecture of the Night: The Illuminated Building (Architecture S.) (Hardcover)

A century of architectural illumination-mostly of skyscrapers and expositions-that blooms in darkness. The development of electrical power preceded the modern movement and was brilliantly exploited in the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and the 1889 Paris fair that was centered on the Eiffel Tower. But it enjoyed its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, most notably in the US and Germany, and Neumann, a professor of architecture at Brown, has chronicled both with equal insight. Many of the period images are breathtaking, and inspiring work is still being done. (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)