20th-Century World Architecture: The Phaidon Atlas

Ambitious in scope and heavy in weight, the latest addition to the Phaidon Atlas Series is a comprehensive walk through worldwide 20th Century Architecture. In terms of selection and documentation, it generally achieves its advertised claims of being comprehensive although why the Twin Towers and the Grande Arch are not included is not explained. As this is a visual book, it fails in no small way by both an unbelievable inattention to the quality of the photographs selected (my point and shoot photos of Fallingwater from 2006 are infinitely superior to the B + W image circa 1950 included here and there are far too many B + W Photos throughout the book) and their accurate reproduction. Another example is FLW's Unity Temple in Oak Park, which I drove by a couple of months ago - the rather poor B + W of it does not do it justice. Many, many of the images lack definition and appear out of register. A side by side comparison with Taschen's A-Z of Modern Architecture highlights the mediocre production values employed in this volume with the latter being on far heavier stock and printed in Italy rather than China (are there no printing presses that Phaidon can find outside of the Far East?). As examples, photos 5 on page 25 and 2 and 4 on page 261 are really, really mediocre, the Maison de Verre in Paris (p.288) had far better photo reproductions - in color no less - on newsprint in the New York Times in August 2007 - those photos made me want to see this building - those presented by Phaidon are dark and dismal and, like Fallingwater, an insult to the architect. All of the photos on pages 283 and 322 are either blurred or of poor source quality. Thus many of the photos appear to be stock sourced with very little quality control. My favorite example of the lack of care and attention assigned to this volume is the Kropotkinskaya Metro Station in Moscow, part of a two page spread on the Moscow Metro, where the site plan, e.g., the architectural floor plan of the building is represented by a map of the Moscow Metro - no kidding. Absolutely no excuse for this - give it up Phaidon - efforts like this book are a waste of your time and my money.This volume does not even compare favorably to the previous Phaidon Atlases - Contemporary Architecture and 21st Century Architecture - which appear to have the majority of their far better selected color images in register. I think both the Economist and the WSJ Magazine have better quality control in their production and printing.Phaidon has obviously cut many corners on production or acquired a group of editors who are probably related to Mr Magoo. I wished I had waited to check this out book at B & N or the Art Institute in Chicago as I certainly would not have bought it. If you pick this up for half the Amazon price at Half Price Books in a few months - it's probably a good archival addition to a home library but as a major visual source of 20th Century Architecture there are many far better produced monographs.I had thought that my one star was a little harsh, but after two additional trips through the 800 pages - I think the one star is generous.

Great book not only for architects but to all those who admire what mankind has accomplished and built. Enjoyable every photograph.

Impressive box to receive at home!

too good to be true !

Fast delivery, and great quality!

Just as the perfect gift for a Beatles fan would be the their No. 1 hits, any architecture buff friend or relative would appreciate this collection of many of the world greatest modern structures. The time period saw many economic and technologies revolutions, which were echoed in building styles and the patterns, are clear with so many samples in a single book. Flipping through the pages validates that Bauhas's simplicity and clean lines inspired Steve Jobs in the 1980s and gives insight into Le Courbosier as a necessary precursor to Soviet brutalist styles. Many unexpected insights jump out as well, such as the number of 1920's-era designs that would look innovative even if new today.I personally enjoyed seeing examples masters such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Rennie McIntosh, Gauidi and LeCourboisier but also many geniuses unknown in the West, who worked in other regions of the world. The pleasure in seeing such brilliant work is balanced by the stark reminders of the worst horrors of the 20th century such as Nunburg Stadium and Kaiser Wilhem church, which was so powerfully transformed from a ruin to a monument.Evolving structural shapes and styles which reflect technological progress are also evident - forms only possible with software-enhanced design not available until the end of the last century. Such creative use of materials and nature-inspired curves is manifested in Frank Gehry's Bilboa museum which serves as a nice segue into 21st Century Architecture ... which I was lucky enough to also receive as a gift.

I have no formal architectural education, but have always been fascinated by the craft. So buying this book for me was a purely autodidactic endeavor, and as somebody who came with a true outsider's perspective, I have to say that I am awestruck by every aspect of this mammoth compendium.The first thing about 20th-Century World Architecure: The Phaidon Atlas that caught my eye is the sheer size of the book. It's massive! And while that's not the most insightful point, it's worth mentioning for two reasons. First: It takes an intercontinental, nondiscriminatory look at impressive architectural feats worldwide (the book is divided up by continent). Most of the images and articles I'd read prior dealt solely with those accomplished in developed nations. Second: I want to caution those who are dismissive because of the book's size. It's called world architecture because it focuses on the architecture of the world. It's all-encompassing, so it should be appropriately voluminous. And it is. If you're looking for something more specific, then seek that exact discipline or school out. Don't criticize something for not being what it doesn't aim to be.Additionally, I felt very comfortable interacting with this text without a formal background in architecture. 20th-Century expounds upon architectural tendencies and traditions without using alienating jargon. I can't speak to professionals seeking to glean workplace knowledge from this text, but I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anybody who simply wants to see some staggeringly beautiful images, while learning a little bit more about a fascinating profession.Overall: While the price of the book is objectively high, the amount of information that the reader is rewarded with is well worth the price. I will be entertained and hooked for months to come.

Spectacular and comprehensive! Overwhelming wealth of information! Very inspiring! A classic! Excellent Book!!!

Covers an enormous range of styles and beautifully illustrated

Excellently informative book, came in good quality in a short time. Well written and well printed with great pictures and maps.

It’s a bit heavy in weight

Das Buch ist riesig und massig und lässt sich daher nur liegend aufbewahren wenn der Rücken sich nicht verziehen soll. Format und Größe scheinen einem Buch zu gehören, dass eher den Besitzer als gebildet darstellen soll als ihm wirklich Wissen zu vermitteln.Das Buch zeigt erfreulicherweise einigermaßen unvoreingenommen Projekte auf allen Kontinenten, dennoch sind leider die meisten eher westlicher Prägung. Die Berichte sind einigermaßen gut geschrieben, doch die Bebilderung ist derart schlecht gedruckt (ungeahnt pixelig), dass man einige Zeichnungen kaum lesen kann. Das ist wirklich schade- erklärt aber natürlich den Preis. Im Ausland habe ich wohl eine andere Ausgabe gesehen, denn die war vernünftig gedruckt.

Libro di ottima qualità, raccoglie numerosi edifici organizzati per Paese. Consigliatissimo per amanti dell'architettura