Printed and the Built: Architecture, Print Culture and Public Debate in the Nineteenth Century

The Printed and the Built explores the relationship between architecture and printed media in the 19th century, filling a gap in architectural history with 5 in-depth thematic essays and 25 short pieces.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 28 June 2018
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Printed and the Built delves into the intricate interplay between architecture and printed media during the transformative nineteenth century. While the field of publication history has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, it has largely overlooked the significant contributions of architecture and printing to the cultural landscape of the time. This oversight is precisely what The Printed and the Built aims to rectify, by providing a comprehensive exploration of the nineteenth century's architectural history through the lens of printed media.

The book is a visual feast, adorned with a diverse range of colourful and eclectic visual material, including panoramas, printed ephemera, advertisements, penny magazines, early photography, and even crime reportage. These visual elements serve as a testament to the multifaceted ways in which architecture was communicated to a mass audience during this period.

Structured into five in-depth thematic essays accompanied by 25 short pieces, each focusing on a specific printed form, The Printed and the Built offers a comprehensive examination of the ways in which new genres shaped the perception and understanding of architecture. These essays explore the role of architectural publications, such as magazines and journals, in promoting architectural designs and ideas to a wider audience. They also examine the impact of advertising on architectural practices, as well as the role of printed ephemera, such as postcards and trade cards, in showcasing architectural landmarks and styles.

Furthermore, The Printed and the Built sheds light on the ways in which early photography and crime reportage contributed to the popularization of architecture. By capturing and disseminating images of buildings and architectural details, these printed forms helped to shape public perception and interest in architecture.

In conclusion, The Printed and the Built is a groundbreaking work that fills a significant gap in the understanding of architecture's cultural history. Through its rich visual material and in-depth thematic essays, the book offers a compelling exploration of the intricate relationship between architecture and printed media in the nineteenth century. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, architects, and anyone interested in the history and evolution of architecture.

Weight: 706g
Dimension: 189 x 245 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350038400