This work on 20th-century architecture combines a clear general outline with analysis and interpretation of particular buildings. While technical, economic, social and intellectual developments are fully treated, the final emphasis is on individuals and on the qualities that give buildings their lasting value. For this revised and updated third edition, an appreciation of regional identity and variety has been incorporated, and also a section on recent architecture. There are many new colour illustrations, plans and drawings. The bibliography and notes have also been extended. This book sets the Modern tradition in perspective, relating it to earlier traditions, and analyzing its richness and complexity.
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Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
This third edition of the 1982 original has been greatly revised?seven additional chapters?to reflect new developments since its initial release. The volume's well-detailed text is buttressed with 650 color and black-and-white illustrations. This should be a standard volume in all architecture collections.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From the Publisher
A comprehensive and balanced overview of modern architecture, this edition combines a clear general outline with masterly analysis and interpretation of individual buildings. The text includes much new knowledge and research and a fresh appreciation of regional identity and variety, including expanded and developed discussions of European, American and non-western traditions.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What I found most appealing was Curtis's frequent inclusion of the ideational content of the architecture, a view of architecture as a result of so many cultural forces, which explains why some formal expressions enjoyed popularity in certain eras.
For an author aiming to take the 20th century in a single book, I think he has been guilty of few major omissions. His treatment of Mexican and Indian architects does seem to be outside the flow of content which envelopes the remainder of the book; He does not, however, attempt to unite all of the programs of the twentieth century into one attractive and finely packaged narrative.
In this book you will find lengthier treatments of Wright, Corbu, and Russian Constructivists to name a few. His thorough approach and keen insight appear to waver in the final chapters, as more modern figures are discussed, but in all honesty, a detailed analysis often requires a historical distance that has not yet come to pass.
His breakdown of chapters is, at times, not so clean as would be expected.
It is a demanding and involving book, requiring effort from the reader. It is not a volume that can be lightly perused. But again, it is highly rewarding.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Modern Architecture since 1900 is an impressive overview, delving into the late 18th century and 19th century roots as well. Mr. Curtis approaches the subject thematically which makes it easier for the reader to understand the many currents in modern architecture. As one would expect Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius and Mies van der Rohe figure prominantly in this work. However, the author examines the influences on their work, as well as the impact they had on modern architecture, providing many intriguing links, such as the one between Wright and Mies.
The chapters which particularly stood out in my mind were "Architecture and Revolution in Russia" and "Totalitarian Critiques on the Modern Movement." In the first mentioned chapter, Curtis charted the rise of the avant-garde in Russia, its leading figures, and its confrontation with the Constructivists. In the second mentioned chapter, Curtis examined the attitudes toward modern architecture by Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini, who was the only one of the three to accept modern architecture. Like all his chapters, Curtis presents the information in a clear cogent format.
Most illucidating is the widespread influence of modern architecture in Asia, Central and South America. He focuses primarily on India, Mexico, and Brazil, illustrating how modern architecture has been adapted to suit the cultural as well as climactic concerns of these countries. Le Corbusier looms large. But Curtis also notes the regional influences that led to counter movements, such as that inspired by Hassan Fathy.
Curtis is critical of the current trends in contemporary architecture. He questions the integrity of the latter-day modernists, post-modernists and deconstructionists. He is drawn more to the individual works of Norman Foster, Renzo Piano and Frank Gehry, which he feels express a deeper understanding of modern architectural principles.
One couldn't ask for more in this book. It is the most impressive survey of modern architecture since Giedion's "Space, Time and Architecture."
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is indeed a substantial volume, yet quite unlike many others of its magnitude, stimulating and readable at the same time. William Curtis provides a detailed overview of very numerous architects and assesses the extent of their influence in a very even-handed manner, avoiding the arbitrariness one frequently observes in other literature of the ilk. It has been asserted that the publication is directed at Architecture undergraduates. I must comment, as an outsider to this field of study, that Curtis has written a book that is not only accessible to the uninitiated, but one which serves to encourage further interest, reading and involvement in the great school of modern architecture. This is a compliment which one can pay to only a very limited number of authors, in whatever domain their authority may lie.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Beautiful and Well-Written
This book is incredible. It is the most definitive statement on Modern Architecture out there. It seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of modernist construction and aesthetic... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Richie Streets
Architecture student
I bought this for my architecture history class and although I rarely read it for class I always flip through it and randomly read a few pages. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Robbyg415
Expensive to be used.
It is in very good conditions but it was only ten dollars under it's original(new) price. Expensive to be a used book!
Published on April 3, 2009 by Javier E. Santiago
Hate to love it
I had to purchase this book as my required textbook for a Modernism class. Needless to say, when the quarter is over, this book is not getting resold! Read more
Published on October 28, 2008 by Patrick M. Stawski
Good source of information
this is a really good reference book becuase it provides many precedents of architecture that are really good to look at for ideas and cocepts.
Published on October 8, 2008 by Ana P. Acosta
Complicated language.
I gave up in trying to read this book. The language is too advanced for someone simply studying 20th cenury architecture class, unless this is your field of studies or you are... Read more
Published on May 24, 2008 by Anderson G. Resende
Modern Architecture Since 1900
Nothing to review as you were unable to provide me with a copy of the product selected. Apparently it was out of stock. Read more
Published on March 11, 2008 by Kathy Burns
It's provoking. It's breath taking. It's excellent !!!
It's extremely difficult, if not impossible, task to write a review on
Mr. Curtis's book on Modern architecture. Read more
Mr. Curtis's book on Modern architecture. Read more
Published on June 17, 2007 by Joong Won Lee
A good introduction for Modernity
Excellente Review of the History of Modern Architecture. Brief analisys on every condition that certainly had an influence in modernity.
Published on April 10, 2007 by R. Correa
pretty survey
This is the kind of book I found stimulating before I actually learned something about architecture. Read more
Published on June 28, 2006 by tierny
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