Architecture, Aesthetics, and the Predicaments of Theory

Architecture, Aesthetics, and the Predicaments of Theory critically examines the methodological constants and shared critical strategies in the history of theoretical discourse on Western architecture. It explores the persistent role of aesthetics as a critical tool for delimiting architecture, analyzing three seminal texts from different periods and engaging with additional influential texts to contextualize arguments within the broader discursive tradition. The book appeals to scholars and students in architecture, architectural history, theory, cultural studies, aesthetic philosophy, art history, and related disciplines.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Architecture, Aesthetics, and the Predicaments of Theory is a comprehensive exploration of the methodological constants and shared critical strategies that have shaped the theoretical discourse on Western architecture throughout history. At its core, this book delves into the persistent role of aesthetics as a critical tool for defining and understanding architecture. Through a close and critical reading of three seminal texts from three distinct periods in the history of theoretical discourse on Western architecture—the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and 19th-century Romanticism—the book offers a comprehensive analysis of the enduring significance of aesthetics in the architectural discourse.

The first text examined in the book is Leone Battista Alberti's Ten Books on Architecture, published in 1452. This influential work serves as a foundational text in the study of architectural theory and provides a comprehensive overview of architectural principles and practices of the time. The second text analyzed is Marc-Antoine Laugier's An Essay on Architecture, published in 1753. Laugier's work is notable for its emphasis on the social and political dimensions of architecture and its contribution to the development of architectural theory. The third text examined is John Ruskin's The Seven Lamps of Architecture, published in 1849. Ruskin's work is renowned for its poetic and aesthetic appreciation of architecture and its influence on the development of architectural design and theory.

In addition to these seminal texts, the book engages with a range of additional influential texts from various periods in the history of Western architecture. These texts are used to locate and contextualize the arguments within the broader discursive tradition of Western architecture, providing a comprehensive understanding of the development of architectural theory and practice.

Architecture, Aesthetics, and the Predicaments of Theory will appeal to scholars and students of architecture, architectural history and theory, as well as scholars and students of cultural studies, aesthetic philosophy, art history, literary criticism, and related disciplines. The book offers a rich and nuanced analysis of the methodological constants and shared critical strategies that have shaped the theoretical discourse on Western architecture, providing valuable insights into the enduring significance of aesthetics in the architectural realm.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032008011