Techno Architecture (4x4 series) [Paperback]

Elizabeth A. T. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: 4 X 4 | Publication Date: December 2000

By examining the recent practice in architecture that has its roots in early-20th-century ideals of "machines for living", this text demonstrates how four contemporary international architects used technology to advance structural expression to evoke an almost nostalgic image of the machine. The book addresses the fundamental art and craft of building in the post-machine age and traces the evolution of this practice, before discussing the similarities amongst the four architects. A section is devoted to each practice which contains an architect's profile and a general description of all four projects.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Elizabeth Smith is Head Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson (December 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500282323
• ISBN-13: 978-0500282328
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,085,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rationalism and Whimsy: The 4x4 Series, August 28, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Techno Architecture (4x4 series) (Paperback)

The first four volumes in the new 4x4 series, each of which features four works by four comparable architects. The concept of linkage is interesting, the four critics achieve an admirable synthesis, the price is right, and the books are full of useful information, plans and excellent photographs. Sadly, their accessibility has been compromised by a wildly self-indulgent designer who squandered eight pages on headline type, overlaid body type with shadow typography, and jammed in far too many miniscule images and discordant typefaces. ItŐs a lesson in how not to lay out a book and may scare away potential buyers.

The persistent will be rewarded by graceful writing, especially by the peripatetic Dubliner, Raymund Ryan, and Catherine Slessor, executive editor of the Architectural Review. For the record, the architects covered are, in order: Antoine Predock, Tadao Ando, Wiel Arets and Ricardo Legorretta; David Chipperfield, Waro Kishi, Eduoardo Souto de Moura, and Tod Williams & Billie Tsien; Jones Partners, TEN Arquirtectos, RoTo, and Smith-Miller + Hawkinson; finally, Enric Miralles, Gunter Behnisch, Mecanoo, and Patkau Architects.