20th-Century World Architecture: The Phaidon Atlas

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Overview

20th Century World Architecture portrays, for the first time, an overview of the finest built architecture from around the world completed between 1900 and 1999. The unprecedented global scope of this collection of over 750 key buildings juxtaposes architectural icons with regional masterpieces. Specially designed and commissioned graphics at the start of the atlas explore the changing economic and political contexts of architectural production throughout this fascinating century, and highlight the flow of ...
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Overview

20th Century World Architecture portrays, for the first time, an overview of the finest built architecture from around the world completed between 1900 and 1999. The unprecedented global scope of this collection of over 750 key buildings juxtaposes architectural icons with regional masterpieces. Specially designed and commissioned graphics at the start of the atlas explore the changing economic and political contexts of architectural production throughout this fascinating century, and highlight the flow of architectural ideas and architects around the globe. The selection of projects brilliantly illustrates the built outcomes of these formal and cultural influences in every corner of the world, with some surprising revelations. Divided into six world regions and 29 sub-regions, over 80 countries are represented. The collection is the result of a rigorous selection process and the input of more than 150 specialists from around the world, ensuring that each region has benefited from expert advice. Every building is located on maps that are defined by contemporary political geography, with detailed information accompanying each project, which is fully illustrated and described by a short text. In addition, a mass of useful information is provided in extensive indexes.
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  • 20th-Century World Architecture
    20th-Century World Architecture  

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
Following the recent publication of the editors’ massive tome The Art Museum, Phaidon offers another gargantuan marvel that could double as its own coffee table, this time focused upon “a truly global selection of buildings constructed during the 20th century.” Organized by continent like a standard atlas, within each section buildings are categorized into 13 different typologies, and keys for each region show which types predominate. Maps of trade flow and architect migration over the course of the century show how design talents moved toward money or away from political strife. As the constructions are grouped by location rather than age, readers get a sense of how buildings speak to each other and their local contexts. Photographs, sketches, and site plans are included for each of the 750 projects, for a total of 5,500 images, and sidebar texts note innovative design practices. Localized cultural influences on building designs are also explicated, offering an anthropological perspective. Though not comprehensive in terms of highly notable buildings, this collection showcases a wide variety of styles and serves as a welcome introduction to noteworthy constructions outside the usual hot spots of Europe, North America, and East Asia. Easily in the running for most engrossing coffee-table book of all time. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
"Phaidon's colossal 20th Century World Architecture is a real tour de force. While the sheer volume of information is breathtaking, what impresses me most is the fascinating view of architecture in the 20th century created by the breadth of the projects and their contexts." - Michael Graves

"The new Phaidon publication, 20th Century World Architecture, documents the extraordinary quality and quantity of architecture produces during the last century. Is it possible for the work of the 21st century to match this prodigious output?" - Richard Meier

"Easily in the running for most engrossing coffee-table book of all time." - Publishers Weekly

". . .big, bold, beautiful. . ." - About.com

"A breathtaking overview. . ." - Los Angeles Times

". . .a monumental tome." - The Architect's Newspaper

"At a hefty 832 pages, 20th Century World Architecture: The Phaidon Atlas takes a truly global and remarkably comprehensive look at projects constructed between 1900 - 1999." - Architectural Digest

"This book is an atlas but it's also a snapshot: the 20th century as seen from 2012. What a view." - The Atlantic

"One of those books I will never finish perusing, as each time I turn the page I find something new. . .This is an investment for your home, written in a way that is very accessible to the layman. It is also, at its simplest, a collection of really inspiring images." - The Courier-Journal

". . . a beast of a book. But hoisting the tome onto your coffee table is worth it." - Architect Magazine

". . .a remarkable companion. . .unpack the book and you'll float into a perspective-altering history of 750 era-defining buildings." - NPR.org

Library Journal
This oversized volume makes a strong impression. It presents some 750 "most important and iconic buildings" from throughout the past century and from 97 nations. Each choice is covered on one page with a text description complemented by photographs and line drawings, for a total of more than 5,000 illustrations. Expected, famous European and American modernist works are included, but so are hundreds of of other buildings prominent in their own countries. The buildings and complexes are shown on 40 color-coded maps that depict climatic zones and are accompanied by background information for time periods within the century. Indexing is by building type, architect or practice, building name, and place. There is a nod to the Internet with the inclusion of Google Maps coordinates. Unfortunately the hefty "elephant folio" format and the page design make for an awkward reading experience: the text is set in tall columns of fine print, and the line drawings are small. VERDICT The greatest strength of this ambitious book is the highlighting of so many far-flung designs. Its greatest weakness is the failure to reach its potential as an atlas. However, large or specialized libraries seeking a single-volume architectural reference with a global scope will appreciate this tome.—David Conn, formerly with Surrey Libs., B.C.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780714857060
  • Publisher: Phaidon Press, Incorporated
  • Publication date: 10/8/2012
  • Pages: 832
  • Sales rank: 201,141
  • Product dimensions: 13.25 (w) x 26.50 (h) x 3.00 (d)

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