The Edifice Complex: How the Rich and Powerful--and Their Architects--Shape the World (Paperback)

by Deyan Sudjic (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Sudjic grasps what too many critics miss. -- San Francisco Chronicle

Product Description
A provocative look at architecture—"exceptionally intelligent and original" (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World)

Deyan Sudjic—"probably the most influential figure in architecture you’ve never heard of" — argues that architecture, far from being auteur art, must be understood as a naked expression of power. From the grandiose projects of Stalin and Hitler to the "theme park" excess of today’s presidential libraries, Sudjic goes behind the scenes of history’s great manipulators of building propaganda—and exposes Rem Koolhaas, Frank Gehry, and other architects in a disturbing new light. This controversial book is essential reading for all those interested in the power of architecture—or the architecture of power.
* A Washington Post Book World Best Book of the Year

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics) (November 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014303801X
• ISBN-13: 978-0143038016
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #456,193 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #67 in

  Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Political Science > Movements > Nationalism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Power in Stone: 21st century architectural version of "The Prince".... awesome! , June 25, 2007

By	Joong Won Lee "Joongwon" (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews

It took me some time to figure out what the Edifice Complex meant.


I first thought, being an "English Patient" in the realms of


English-speaking world, edifice complex meant something like "Sports


Complex". Later I found out that it was a derivitive of Oedipus Complex,


that there is a psychology in a poweful man, an urge to make a mark, a


desire to control, and an ambition to build. To build big and high.





I found this book particulary interesting because it focuses on the


side of clients, their hidden chambers of obsessions, disguised in


the form of political beliefs, orchestrated and realized by the hands


of architects. Plenty of different types of influential clients and


their episodes are portrayed.





Some stories are old (or well known)and some stories are new. To the old


stories, like that of Hitler/Mitterrand/Hussein, Sudjic gave a different


bent, to the new and lesser knowns, like that of


Mao/Rockerfeller/Agnelli/ US Presidents, Sudjic wrote electrifying lines.





Another remarkable aspect of the book is the political skills of many


past and current star architects. Johnson/ Pei/ Piano/


Koolhaas/ Gehry (and many more mentioned in the book) are illustrated as


true Machiavellian architects of this century that have tongue and pen to


realize the dreams of their Princes.





In the conclusion, Sudjic sums up by showing what kind of prevailing


architectural garments are out there for different political strategists.


The author also kindly guides us to the further readings that pertain to


the subject matter of the book.





One thing that made my head skew: Why are Blair and Libeskind beaten


when, in contrast, following French President and English Architect


mentioned in the book are promoted? Does it explain Sudjic's political


stance and his allies? Just a thought...