Theories and Manifestoes of Contemporary Architecture

by Charles Jencks (Editor), Karl Kropf (Editor)

The last forty years have seen an outburst of theories and manifestoes which explore the possibilities of its language, evolution and social relevance. With many 'crises in architecture' and the obvious urban and ecological problems, Modernism has been criticised, questioned, overthrown, extended, subverted and revivified - not a peaceful time for architectural thought and production. The result has been a cascade of new theories, justifications and recipes for building.

This anthology, edited by the well-known historian and critic Charles Jencks, and the urbanist and theorist Karl Kropf, collects the main texts which define these changes. Essential for the student and practitioner alike, it presents over 120 of the key arguments of today's major architectural philosophers and gurus. These show that the Modern architecture of the early part of this century has mutated into three main a critical and ecological Post-Modernism; a High-Tech and sculptural Late Modernism; and a deconstructive, subversive New Modernism.

Here are the seminal texts of James Stirling, Robert Venturi, Colin Rowe, Christopher Alexander, Frank Gehry, Reyner Banham, Bernard Tschumi, Rem Koolhaas and many others who have changed the discourse of architecture. Here also are the anti-Modern texts of the traditionalists - Leon Krier, Demetri Porphyrios, Quinlan Terry, Prince Charles and others. Many of these texts are concise, edited versions of influential books.

Highly informative and richly illustrated with over forty drawings and photographs, this volume is a vital learning and teaching tool for all those interested in the philosophies of contemporary architecture.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Charles Alexander Jencks (born 21 June 1939) is an American architecture theorist and critic, landscape architect and designer. His books on the history and criticism of modernism and postmodernism are widely read in architectural circles. He studied under the influential architectural historians Sigfried Giedion and Reyner Banham. Jencks now lives in Scotland where he designs landscape sculpture.

Reviews

[Leandro Llorente · Rating 5 out of 5]

This could be the best collection of quick/short essays on architectural ideas. I keep this book close to me.