Intended for the general public, students, and professionals, the
Encyclopedia of 20th-Century Architecture contains more than 700 alphabetically arranged entries providing basic information on a variety of subjects. Articles range from 1,000 to 4,000 words.
Volume 1 has a list of entries and a separate list of entries arranged by theme. Themes include "Architects and Firms" (the largest category, with 267 entries); "Building Types" (52 entries); "Buildings and Sites" (172 entries); "Countries and Regions" (35 entries); "Materials and Building Technology" (36 entries); and others. Examples of topics include Acoustics; Bank of China Tower; Concrete; Gas station; Israel; Paul, Bruno; Tent; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Articles on buildings include designer name(s), date of completion, and location and often describe design features, architectural themes and influences, and challenges in design. For example, the article on the AEG Turbine Factory touches on the somewhat contentious relationship between designer and engineer. Articles on architects zero in on the person's architectural career, describing major achievements, philosophy of design, and impact on the architectural community.
All articles are signed, and most end with a list of related topics as well as a list of suggested readings. The lack of Internet sites will disappoint some researchers. Articles on people often include a list of their selected works and publications.
Volume 3 provides a cumulative subject index with main entries listed in bold. The 600 mostly black-and-white illustrations usually show exterior shots of buildings. The lack of detailed illustrations highlighting specific design features forces readers to rely on text descriptions, which the general reader might find challenging.
The international coverage of not only architects and buildings but also building materials, locations, movements, and other architectural topics distinguishes this resource from reference tools such as the Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World (Cambridge Univ., 1997) and the International Dictionary of Architects and Architecture (St. James, 1993). Recommended for large public libraries and academic libraries, especially those supporting architectural programs. RBB
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Review
"Sennott's well-conceived encyclopedia is the
most impressive multivolume work in English to date... The writing is uniformly
first-rate--concise, accessible, reliable, information-packed, intended expressively for educated readers...
Highly recommended. Medium-sized and large libraries." --
Choice"
Quite an achievement... The entries are by turns
fascinating, engrossing, stimulating, and reasonably thorough. Highly recommended to architecture and art libraries." --
Library Journal (starred review)
"The international coverage of not only architects and buildings but also materials, locations, movements, and other architectural topics
distinguishes this resource...
Recommended for large public libraries and academic libraries, especially those supporting architectural programs." --
Booklist/RBB"Gives a clear concise analysis of 20th century architecture... Has a comprehensive index to allow easy access for students." --
Pennsylvania School Librarians Association Best Reference Title 2003
"A
unique look at 20th century architecture...
Comprehensive without being overpowering... Successfully reflects the complex interplay of planning needs, evolving technologies, historic tradition and contemporary aesthetics.
Academic and public libraries will be well served by finding a place for it on their reference shelves." --
Against the Grain"fills a serious need for a reference work focusing on twentieth-century world architecture... Updates and expands upon previous architectural encyclopedias... One of this set's greatest strengths is its wide sweep and its inclusion of little-known architects and buildings from other continents... Academic and museum libraries that serve active architectural programs will want to acquire this title, as well as large public libraries." --
Art Documentation"
A monumental effort... Painstakingly researched work." -- PLANetizen Top 10 Books List
"Designed for general readers as well as students... This three-volume reference contains 700-plus entries by 300 writers on topics pertinent to 20th-century architecture worldwide." --
Art Book News Annual"This scholarly encyclopedia provides an in-depth examination of the development of architecture in the 20th century... This excellent set will add tremendous depth to any art or architectural reference collection." --
Lawrence Looks at Books, Gale Reference Reviews"In terms of currency and breadth of subject matter,
there is no comparable single resource available on twentieth-century architecture... This publication succeeds as a reference source that covers a vast range of architectural styles, movements, and theories that were unique to the time period... As no other resource will cover this timer period and variety of relevant topics, this publication is
highly recommended for the reference collection of art and architecture libraries." --
American Reference Books Annual"Essential for architecture and design schools and useful for public libraries. The
Encyclopedia's real strength lies in its coverage of building materials, cities and countries, stylistic terms and movements, and architectural critics and historians. These articles give users
valuable entry points into subjects not explored in any other single reference source." --
Art Libraries Journal
