Modern Architecture: A Very Short Introduction

Architecture changed between 1910 and 1970, moving from ornamental fancies to plain reflections of novel materials, functions, and technologies. Modern architecture promised to transform cities from overcrowded conurbations to spacious realms of generous housing and clean mechanized production. Adam Sharr explores the technical innovations that opened-up cultural and intellectual opportunities for modern architecture, such as the invention of steel and reinforced concrete, and new systems for air conditioning and lighting. He discusses what modern architecture was like, why it was like that, and how it was imagined, and how the field owes as much to its storytellers as to its buildings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Between 1910 and 1970, architecture underwent a significant transformation. Today, modern architecture is a familiar sight, often celebrated or criticized. However, it's difficult to imagine the novelty it once held. Expensive buildings were transformed from ornamental fancies that drew inspiration from classical and medieval eras into strikingly plain reflections of new materials, functions, and technologies. Modern architecture promised to transform cities from overcrowded conurbations characterized by packed slums and dirty industries into spacious realms of generous housing and clean mechanized production set in parkland. At certain times and in certain cultures, it symbolized the liberation of the future from the past.

This Very Short Introduction explores the technical innovations that paved the way for modern architecture to emerge. Adam Sharr highlights how the invention of steel and reinforced concrete revolutionized the possibilities for shaping buildings, expanding what architects could envision. Additionally, new systems for air conditioning and lighting played a crucial role in shaping the architectural landscape. While architects were not directly responsible for these innovations, they were among the first to appreciate their potential to create a different visual and sensory experience.

Sharr focuses on a selection of modern buildings that symbolize broader cultural ideas. By discussing what modern architecture was like, why it was like that, and how it was imagined, he provides a comprehensive understanding of this architectural movement. He also considers the work of historians and critics who played a significant role in shaping modern architecture, demonstrating how the field owes as much to its storytellers as to its physical structures.

The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press offers concise and accessible introductions to a wide range of subjects. This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning more about modern architecture, its historical context, and its impact on society.

Weight: 150g
Dimension: 170 x 109 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198783442