Kay Fisker: Works and Ideas in Danish Modern Architecture

This book is the first in-depth English-language study of Kay Fisker (1893-1965), a influential Danish architect of the twentieth century. It examines his key projects and analyzes his work as a historian and writer, showing how his architectural poetics combine an ideal order with the contingent conditions of landscapes and urban sites. Hybridization is a valuable notion for understanding Fisker and modernist architecture as a whole.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Kay Fisker (1893-1965) is widely regarded as one of the most influential Danish architects of the 20th century, yet there has been a lack of comprehensive English-language research on his works and writings. This book, published as part of the Bloomsbury Studies in Modern Architecture series, aims to shed light on the work of significant yet overlooked modernist architects. It delves into Fisker's key projects, ranging from his early railway stations and innovative housing initiatives to his time at the Danish Academy in Rome. Through an in-depth analysis of his work as a historian and writer, the book explores Fisker's architectural poetics, which are closely linked to the functional tradition. This tradition combines elements of international modernism with regional architectural typologies, creating a unique blend of order and contingency in landscapes and urban sites.

The book argues that hybridization is a valuable concept for understanding Fisker's architectural approach, as well as modernist architecture as a whole. It recognizes the diverse expressions, agendas, and tensions within modernist architecture across different regions and contexts. By examining Fisker's work within this framework, the book offers a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of modernist architecture, highlighting its significance in shaping the architectural landscape of the 20th century.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of Kay Fisker's life and work, shedding light on his contributions to modernist architecture and his role as a historian and writer. It offers valuable insights into the functional tradition and its application to understanding modernist architecture as a whole. Through its detailed analysis and engaging narrative, the book encourages readers to appreciate the rich and diverse legacy of Fisker and his fellow modernist architects.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350244276