(P/B) ARCHITECTURE TODAY - JAMES STEELE

A guide to the prominent architectural movements of the last 25 years. "Architecture Today" is an informative and highly illustrated overview of architecture worldwide since the 1960s. A clear, comprehensive guide to the many and varied contemporary architectural trends, it leads the reader through the styles and movements of architecture in the latter half of the twentieth century. The Modern Movement in architecture early this century gave rise to the 'International Style' - architecture that was intended to transcend its time and place and provide a new world order in building and city planning. In the 1960s, Modernism was seriously challenged by architects who began to question the validity of its principles. In place of a Modernist prototype a diverse array of building types and styles, driven by new architectural beliefs and theories, began to emerge. Today, a richness and complexity abound. This book is an attempt to make sense of the pluralistic nature of contemporary architecture, by offering an incisive yet accessible critique of the world's most prominent architectural movements and trends. Free of the jargon that all too frequently characterizes some of the contemporary writing on architecture, "Architecture Today" briefly examines the background to the architecture of the latter half of the century, and explores contemporary styles and movements theme by theme. The work of architects from all over the world is analysed, and their most original, influential and challenging works are illustrated, indicating the radical changes that have occurred in architecture in the last forty years. "Architecture Today"'s accessible tone will make this book essential reading for all those who are interested in architecture, in the visual arts and in contemporary culture. (From the publisher) James Steele is Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He has previously taught at Texas Tech University, the University of London and the Prince of Wales Institute of Architecture. His many publications include "Los Angeles Architecture: the Contemporary Condition", and the Architecture in Detail monographs "Eames House, Barnsdall House and Lawson-Westen House (all published by Phaidon Press). 'As a beginner's guide to the trends of the last 25 years, "Architecture Today" is invaluable. Accessible text and a preponderance of colour pictures go a long way toward doing for architecture what Gombrich did for art.' (Creative Review) 'An ambitious guide to the trends in architecture over the last 25 years. In other words, a romp through all those tricky isms, from Vernacular to Deconstruction.' (Sunday Times) 'Exceptionally handsome. A lavish look at some of the best building trends since I960.' (Met Home)