Shaping the City to Come: Rethinking Modern Architecture and Town Planning in England, c. 1934-51

This book explores the development of modern architecture and town planning in mid-twentieth-century England, highlighting the serious, active, and visionary architectural culture that emerged. It acknowledges the importance of the international context of modern architecture, including the impact of émigré architects and the dissemination of international style forms and theories. The book places familiar figures and projects in new light, presenting a rich picture of the modern architectural climate in England.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2022
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

This comprehensive reassessment of modern architecture and town planning in mid-twentieth-century England delves into the vibrant ideas and debates that emerged as modernist ideals gradually took root. The book unveils an architectural culture that was both serious and visionary, leaving a lasting impact that extended into the postwar years. Through meticulous close studies of specific works and writings, the author recognizes the profound significance of the international context in modern architecture, as it intertwined with a diverse range of narratives that shaped English modernism. These narratives included national identity, the New Empiricism, and the picturesque, taking into account the influx of émigré architects who settled in England during the approach of World War II, as well as the broader dissemination of international style forms and theories from continental Europe. The book presents familiar figures such as Berthold Lubetkin and Ernö Goldfinger, as well as iconic projects like Tectons Penguin Pool and the Festival of Britains "Live Architecture" Exhibition, in a fresh and illuminating light. By shedding new light on these individuals and projects, the study paints a rich and detailed picture of the modern architectural climate in England. Furthermore, the study highlights the critical debates, proposals, and processes that contributed to the development of modernist, urban-minded, and forward-looking architectural ideals. This insightful exploration provides valuable insights into the evolution of architectural thought and practice during this pivotal period, offering a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped the built environment of mid-twentieth-century England.

Dimension: 239 x 163 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800856547