20th Century World Architecture: A Stunning Visual History

Author: (English) Dennis Sharp
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2003-03-01
Features: This book evaluates nearly a thousand modern buildings designed by hundreds of architects from around the world over the past century, arranged in chronological order of construction and ordered by innovative spirit or specific design solutions. The book is richly illustrated with vivid descriptions, covering theoretical trends, aesthetic evolution, style schools, theoretical concepts, urban design, architectural techniques, technological advancements, and engineering achievements. It particularly emphasizes the creativity of design, with many examples and some viewpoints being published in China for the first time. In this large-format, elegantly presented work, the author conducts a continuous study of the transformations in architectural design, art, and culture over each decade, tracing the evolution of architectural styles through periods such as Modernism, Revival Trends, Avant-garde, Classicism, and Expressionism. Professor Sharp's introduction is highly valuable, providing a comprehensive overview that not only reviews the aesthetic issues focused on by architects and theorists over the past century but also traces the legacy of 19th-century engineering achievements and architectural technology. Each chapter also includes a brief preface attempting to assess and further explore the architectural developments of that period. The book also provides a useful and engaging architectural timeline covering significant buildings completed between 1900 and 2000, along with a comprehensive appendix.