History & Criticism - Architecture, Architectural Time Periods & Styles

20th Century Architecture: A Visual History

Name: 20th Century Architecture: A Visual History
Author: Dennis Sharp
ISBN: 9781864700855

by Dennis Sharp

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Overview

Twentieth Century Architecture is a fully documented, richly illustrated guide to the great architectural achievements of the last one hundred years. The book chronicles the technological advances, engineering achievements and aesthetic issues that have led to dramatic changes in every branch of architecture. The essential reference work provides photographs, drawing and plans for the significant buildings throughout each decade as well as a useful chronology of buildings and a comprehensive index.

Synopsis

Twentieth Century Architectureis a fully documented, richly illustrated guide to the great architectural achievements of the last one hundred years. The book chronicles the technological advances, engineering achievements and aesthetic issues that have led to dramatic changes in every branch of architecture. The essential reference work provides photographs, drawing and plans for the significant buildings throughout each decade as well as a useful chronology of buildings and a comprehensive index.

Library Journal

This chronology by British architect Sharp is a survey of the world's most significant architecture from 1900 to 1990. Arranged by decade, it is an enlargement of the author's Visual History of Twentieth-Century Architecture ( LJ 2/15/73). An excellent ready-reference tool, well illustrated and with a good index, this greatly expanded edition provides information on such milestones as the Sydney Opera House, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musee d'Orsay--as well as private residences, commercial and industrial buildings, churches, stadiums, and other types of structures. Each chapter contains introductory material on both the technological and social problems and aesthetic characteristics of the decade. Sharp covers about 550 buildings he considers significant, and although fewer than 100 are in the United States, this is still an excellent book for most art and public libraries.-- Margarete Gross, Chicago P.L.

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Editorials

Library Journal

School Library Journal

YA-- Following an introduction that gives an overview of the 19th century and its heritage, this book is organized by decades from 1900 through the 1980s. Each decade is prefaced by a succinct explanation of what was going on during that period to influence its architecture. Significant buildings of the time are featured; the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building, both built in the early 1930s, are not included, even though more obscure works are discussed. A chronology lists major architects and their buildings. The many black-and-white illustrations are clear and informative from a practical and aesthetic point of view. A good collection of information and analyses. --Arlene Hoebel, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA

Booknews

The first edition of this survey appeared under the title A visual history of twentieth century architecture in 1972. The present edition, greatly expanded and revised, adds the key buildings and architectural concepts of two more decades and thus covers nearly the entire century. The large-format volume (9x121/2") is arranged in decades from 1900 to 1990. Within each decade, all significant completed buildings that have had an influence on 20th century architecture are examined. Each entry is fully documented, and the buildings' present states are given where known. Each building is illustrated with photographs, drawings, and plans (a total of about 1,200 illustrations). Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)