SPRING 2013 - Artifice books on architecture

42 history and theory history and theory 43
a FeW years oF Writing
interspersed with soMe facts of Life
author: roBert maxWell / introduCtion: anthony Vidler
paperback • isbn 978 1 908967 07 7
rrp £19.95 / €23.95 / $29.95
22 x 16 cm / 9 x 11 in
42 colour and b/w ills • 192 pages
related title:
ancient wisdom and Modern knowhow
Living in the age of uncertainty
isbn 978 1 908967 14 5
with a body of work firmly at the heart of architectural theory and discourse,
robert Maxwell is undoubtedly one of the most respected architectural
writers and educators of recent times. emeritus professor of architecture at
princeton university, robert Maxwell is a scholar known worldwide for
critical writing that looks at modern and contemporary architecture in
relation to our wider culture, including art, literature and music.
a few years of writing interspersed with some facts of Life brings
together a collection of over 30 of Maxwell’s writings from the late
twentieth century to the present, through which are woven events and
occasions from his own diary that expand on debates in the world of
architecture throughout the period.
texts include “richard rogers: an evaluation”, first published in casabella
in february 1994; “sounds and sweet airs at stuttgart”, a review of
the Music school at stuttgart, in the riba Journal in october 1996; an
obituary of philip Johnson in the architectural review, in March 2005;
and “eisenman: the formal basis of Modern architecture”, in building
design in september 2006. this engaging collection, at once intimate
and autobiographical, insightful and perceptive, as well as critical and
theoretical, results in a rich description of the culture of architecture
across two decades towards the close of the last century and during
the early years of the present.
a few years of writing interspersed with some facts of Life is the first
of two <strong>books</strong> of robert Maxwell’s writing to be published by artifice,
with the second announced on p. 7 of this catalogue and published in
March <strong>2013</strong>.
John allan’s amazingly thorough book is essential reading for anyone
interested in what went right and wrong architecturally and socially in
twentieth century britain. the financial times
berthold Lubetkin: architecture and the tradition of progress was originally
published in 1992 by riba publications and is widely regarded as the
definitive account of the life and works of berthold Lubetkin (1901–1990),
britain’s leading Modernist architect. in 1982, at the age of 81, he was
awarded the riba royal gold Medal for architecture and he is believed
to have more listed buildings to his credit than any other twentieth century
architect in britain.
following a 20 year friendship, author and architect John allan documents
unpublished drawings, photographs, and extracts of writing in this richly
illustrated study. allan sets Lubetkin’s work in the wider historical, social
and political environment of the time. from Lubetkin’s early work in paris
in the 1920s, when he was acquainted with renowned architects such as
auguste perret and Le corbusier through to the work of his practice
tecton, the book provides a comprehensive account of his landmark
buildings for London Zoo, finsbury borough council and the famous
highpoint apartments. his post-war work, including the troubled project
to build peterlee new town, is also fully covered.
this updated and comprehensive study is an essential book for students
of architecture and the modern period, practitioners of architecture and
design alike, as well as anyone with an interest in one of the great
figures in twentieth century architecture.
Berthold luBetKin
architecture and the tradition of progress
author: John allan
hardback • isbn 978 1 907317 14 9
rrp £39.95 / €46.95 / $59.95
27 x 22 cm / 8.5 x 10.5 in
1003 colour and b/w ills • 680 pages