The Mathematics of the Ideal Villa and Other Essays [Paperback]

Colin Rowe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0262680378 | ISBN-13: 978-0262680370 | Publication Date: September 14, 1982

This collection of an important architectural theorist's essays considers and compares designs by Palladio and Le Corbusier, discusses mannerism and modern architecture, architectural vocabulary in the 19th century, the architecture of Chicago, neoclassicism and modern architecture, and the architecture of utopia.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anyone who wants a record of Colin Rowe's published thoughts on architecture of the last thirty years, had better borrow, beg or steal this book." Architectural Association Quarterly

"In these essays Rowe makes the history of ideas into a dramatic theatre and he prods the polemics, theories and orthodox histories of modern architecture onto its stage. Here they"re launched on clashing courses and their irresoluble conflicts played out among the set pieces of the modern movement." Journal of Architectural Education

Product Details

• Paperback: 233 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (September 14, 1982)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262680378
• ISBN-13: 978-0262680370
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,811 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exceptionally insightful, April 27, 2001

By 

Timothy J. Duffy (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mathematics of the Ideal Villa and Other Essays (Paperback)

Colin Rowe's essays are exceptionally insightful and truly enlightening. These essays were written decades ago but they're still enormously valuable and still very fresh. The first essay, from which the book takes its title and probably Rowe's most famous, is an analysis of the geometrical and proportional similarities between Le Corbusier's villa at Garches and Palladio's Villa Malcontenta. A brief but dense tour de force. Perhaps his next most famous essay is "Transparency: Literal and Phenomenal," written with Robert Slutzky. Also a real eye-opener. In other essays he discusses the curious relationship between the Chicago frame and modern architecture; neo-classicism and modern architecture; mannerism and modern architecture; La Tourette; 19th century thinking about architectural character and composition; and the architecture of utopia. These essays make you think, look at things differently, look at things you hadn't noticed, and they ultimately enlarge your understanding of architecture and your architectural field of vision. I'm grateful to Colin Rowe for that. After reading this book I bought his three-volume collection of essays, "As I Was Saying." I just had to have more. The essays in this book put your mind to work but Rowe's writing is also quite engaging. He's a genuinely independent thinker and a rigorous one too. These are wonderful essays and the book is highly recommended.

10 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The classic collection of analytical essays by Rowe., September 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mathematics of the Ideal Villa and Other Essays (Paperback)

This collection of essays by Prof. Colin Rowe is considered to be among the most important analytical essays on architecture in this century. Prof. Rowe has won the Gold Medal in Architecture from Queen Elizabeth and was Professor of Architecture at Cornell for over 25 years.