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Observer's Books
The Observer's Book of Architecture
This pocket guide, with its comprehensive Visual Index, contains 275 different illustrations, 125 of which are in colour.
It describes the development of British architecture from Saxon times until the present day, and is designed to provide the observer with an adequate background of the development of building, planning and technique throughout the centuries.
It describes the development of British architecture from Saxon times until the present day, and is designed to provide the observer with an adequate background of the development of building, planning and technique throughout the centuries.
- GenresArchitectureNonfiction
192 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1951
About the author
Michael Ryan
15 booksAuthor of a memoir / biography of being the partner of someone undergoing fertility treatment.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 29, 2020
Penoyre and Ryan do an excellent job of concisely summarising the essence and feeling of different architectural periods and styles. Great for the amateur student seeking a basis of understanding to build upon (no pun intended).
The authors explain the development of architectural style within the context of its many influencing factors including (but certainly not limited to): social needs, technical skill, available materials, economic situation, foreign influence, and religious and ideological ideas and commitments. The latter I found particularly interesting.
It should be noted that this is a history of only English architecture specifically from the 7th century to 20th century. Classical architecture is of course touched upon but only in reference to its impact on English style.
I was struck by the quality of the illustrations which make the book all the more enjoyable. The end portion of the book is dedicated to a helpful visual index.
I found some of the content rather dated in its judgements and assumptions, however in all, this is a book I would definitely consider reading again.
The authors explain the development of architectural style within the context of its many influencing factors including (but certainly not limited to): social needs, technical skill, available materials, economic situation, foreign influence, and religious and ideological ideas and commitments. The latter I found particularly interesting.
It should be noted that this is a history of only English architecture specifically from the 7th century to 20th century. Classical architecture is of course touched upon but only in reference to its impact on English style.
I was struck by the quality of the illustrations which make the book all the more enjoyable. The end portion of the book is dedicated to a helpful visual index.
I found some of the content rather dated in its judgements and assumptions, however in all, this is a book I would definitely consider reading again.
August 23, 2022
Very comprehensive
April 18, 2024
Beautiful small book full of illustrations from Georgian era architecture. A must have for any art directors.
March 30, 2014
Picked this up in a used bookstore a number of years ago. Skimmed it often; finally decided to read it cover-to-cover. Handy reference and graphically well presented (the illustrations were what originally caught my eye). The title is a bit misleading: the subject is English architecture (from Anglo-Saxon times onward) specifically and not architecture generally.
May 24, 2010
This was exactly what I'd been looking for. A neat little introductory guide to architectural movements from the middle ages up to the mid=20th century,telling you how to recognize styles and - more importantly - why things were built the way they were. Plus, the illustrations are fantastic.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews