Icons of Architecture: The 20th Century (Prestel's Icons) [Hardcover]

Sabine Thiel-Siling (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 3791319493 | ISBN-13: 978-3791319490 | Publication Date: November 1998

this is a chronologically arranged overview of 20th-century architecture recognised wordlwide as icons. Each of the buildings examined were considered spectacular in their own time, either owing to their structural innovation, style, or as completely novel building types. New York City's Chrysler Building, LLoyds of London, Paris' Arche de la Defense and the new Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. All of these structures have become places of pilgrimage for architecture enthusiasts. Some have become landmarks and are waiting to be rediscovered. Each buiilding is presented on a double-page spread with photographs, plans, and texts that describe the building's special features and historical significance.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This international survey of key architectural monuments brings together 37 contributors' brief essays on more than 70 houses, apartment buildings, office buildings, clubs, factories, museums, concert halls, and other building types. In strict chronological order, there are from five to 14 entries per decade, each allotted one two-page spread that consists of usually high-quality photographs of the building; often a plan, section, or preliminary sketch; and a portrait of the architect beside a concise professional biography. The essays vary from anecdotal to descriptive. This volume updates and even improves on Lucy Peel and others' An Introduction to 20th Century Architecture (Chartwell, 1989) and neatly complements At the End of the Century (LJ 11/1/98), a considerably more theoretical and scholarly exhibition publication. Greater consistency would have made this volume more helpful to students, and as with any survey, there are puzzling omissions and redundancies. Still, this is an essential addition to any public or academic architecture collection.APaul Glassman, New York Sch. of Interior Design Lib., New York
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Rich and accessible volumes that have both the breath and the detail of an encyclopedic bird’s -eye view of Modernism." -- Ballast Quaterly Review Vol. 16, No. 3, Spring 2001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Prestel Publishing (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3791319493
• ISBN-13: 978-3791319490
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,763,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extordinary collection of architecture, June 12, 1999

By 

JONATHAN (Upper Darby, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Icons of Architecture: The 20th Century (Prestel's Icons) (Hardcover)

This book is an eye catcher, whether or not you're an architect or just appreciate art. It contains a comprehensive, but susinct volume of awe-inspiring buildings, which begin with the Sagrada Familia to the Guggenheim Museum. Being arranged chronologically, this work of art is a trip through time viewing the icons of architecture in the 20th century.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Architectural History II, December 1, 2002

By 

"centslessly" (Florida, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Icons of Architecture: The 20th Century (Prestel's Icons) (Hardcover)

A 20th century architectural history class! This book features architects who have made an impact in their field in this century. From Gaudi to Gehry, listed in cronological order and detailing one most important work per architect. In one or two pages you are able to see a briefing on the architect, details about the selected project and a chronological breakdown of the architects achievements.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars It is hard to review something when I have not received the product I paid for, January 21, 2011

By 

Bree - See all my reviews

This review is from: Icons of Architecture: The 20th Century (Paperback)

I have not received 2 of the items that I ordered. It is hard to review something when you don't have and they were suppose to be Christmas presents for my Daughter.