Modern Architecture

Colquhoun, an eminent scholar in the field of architecture, offers here a new account of international modernism that explores the complex motivations behind this revolutionary movement and assesses its triumphs and failures. The book focuses on the work of the main architects of the movement such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Adolf Loos, Le Corbusier, and Mies van der Rohe, re-examining their work and shedding new light on their roles as acknowledged masters. The author presents a fascinating analysis of architecture with regard to politics, technology, and ideology, all while offering clear descriptions of the key elements of the Modern movement.
Colquhoun shows clearly the evolution of the movement from Art Nouveau in the 1890s to the mega-structures of the 1960s, revealing the often-contradictory demands of form, function, social engagement, modernity and tradition.

This new account of international modernism explores the complex motivations behind this revolutionary movement and assesses its triumphs and failures. The work of the main architects of the movement such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Adolf Loos, Le Corbusier, and Mies van der Rohe is re-examined shedding new light on their roles as acknowledged masters. Alan Colquhoun explores the evolution of the movement fron Art Nouveau in the 1890s to the megastructures of the 1960s, revealing the often contradictory demands of form, function, social engagement, modernity and tradition.

1 - Art Nouveau 1890-1910
2 - Organicism versus Classicism: Chicago 1890-1910
3 - Culture and Industry: Germany 1907-14
4 - 'The Urn and the Chamberpot': Adolf Loos 1900-30
5 - Expressionism and Futurism
6 - The Avant-Gardes in Holland and Russia
7 - Return to Order: Le Corbusier and Modern Architecture in France 1920-35
8 - Weimar Germany: the Dialectic of the Modern 1920-33
9 - From Rationalism to Revisionism: Architecture in Italy 1920-65
10 - Neoclassicism, Organicism and the Welfare State: Architecture in Scandinavia 1910-65
11 - From Le Corbusier to Megastructures: Urban Visions 1930-65
12 - Pax Americana: Architecture in America 1945-65

Alan Colquhoun was born in 1921, and studied architecture in Edinburgh and London. He was in partnership with J. H. Miller from 1961 until 1988. He is currently Professor Emeritus in the School of Architecture at Princeton University. His other publications include 'Essays in Architecture: Modern Architecture and Historical Change' and 'Modernity and the Classical Tradition: Architectural Essays 1980-1987'.