The Architecture of Edwin Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew: Twentieth Century Architecture, Pioneer Modernism and the Tropics

by Iain Jackson

Maxwell Fry and Jane Drew were pioneers of Modern Architecture in Britain and its former colonies from the late 1920s through to the early 1970s. As a barometer of twentieth century architecture, their work traces the major cultural developments of that century from the development of modernism, its spread into the late-colonial arena and finally, to its re-evaluation that resulted in a more expressive, formalist approach in the post-war era. This book thoroughly examines Fry and Drew's highly influential 'Tropical Architecture' in West Africa and India, whilst also discussing their British work, such as their post World War II projects for the Festival of Britain, Harlow New Town, Pilkington Brothers' Headquarters and Coychurch Crematorium. It highlights the collaborative nature of Fry and Drew's work, including schemes undertaken with Elizabeth Denby, Walter Gropius, Denys Lasdun, Pierre Jeanneret and Le Corbusier. Positioning their architecture, writing and educational endeavours within a wider context, this book illustrates the significant artistic and cultural contributions made by Fry and Drew throughout their lengthy careers.

406 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘This is but one example of a skilled ambivalence or ambiguity which, I would argue, characterised their oeuvre as a whole – an intrinsically political approach that architects grappling with today’s status quo might pay attention to. It is perhaps both the reason why their work may not have been as highly regarded as some of their peers, and also why it is ripe for reassessment – a task which is well served by this book.’

Full review here: https://nicholasdeklerk.com/The-Archi...

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have been looking for a book on fry and drew for a while and then this turned up. very good scholarly work made up of a series of biographical/historical essays outlining the work of fry and drew. what it lacks in literary style it makes up for in detail and rigour - drawings should have been bigger and better and photos too. i was alarmed at how the book reveals just just how colonial fry and drew were in their outlook and how colonial their context was; fry was offered the position of town planning advisor for the entire 'region' and cabled drew in london saying 'he would do it if i would join him and i could have nigeria'....! not very surprising. jane drew seems the more interesting of the two from a personality point of view yet even after this relatively detailed account she remains still slightly mysterious and enigmatic. it is as if no one can actually determine if she was any good as an architect although it appears everyone agrees she was a significant figure, a 'rainmaker' (dannat). it is a good book and particularly good for researchers of tropical modernism