A History of Western Architecture

by David Watkin

This highly acclaimed book, now available for the first time in the United States in simultaneous paperback and hardcover editions, is particularly valuable for its unique approach to architectural The author explores structures not as separate, neatly labeled museum pieces but as part of a vital, living continuity through the ages. Beginning with the classical origins of Western architecture and coming right up to the new millennium, the book discusses every major milestone in the development of Western architecture in probing detail. Features of the revised edition include expanded chapters on Mesopotamian and Egyptian architecture, made possible by important recent archeological findings; and urban planning sections added throughout the book. The latter will be of special value to the growing numbers of readers who take an active interest in the relationship between a city's buildings and the community residents who live and work in them

Genres: Architecture, History, Nonfiction, Art, Art History, Reference, Textbooks

607 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

David John Watkin, MA PhD LittD Hon FRIBA FSA (born 1941) is a British architectural historian. He is an Emeritus Fellow of Peterhouse, Cambridge, and Professor Emeritus of History of Architecture in the Department of History of Art at the University of Cambridge. He has also taught at the Prince of Wales's Institute of Architecture.[1]
David Watkin is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He is Vice-Chairman of the Georgian Group, and was a member of the Historic Buildings Council and its successor bodies in English Heritage from 1980-1995.

Reviews

[Milo van Bokkum]

'Met zijn uiterlijk als van een fabriek, hoewel daar geen echte reden toe was, oefende het Bauhaus vijftig jaar lang een beangstigend grote invloed uit op het ontwerp van diverse typen bouwwerken, zoals scholen, woonhuizen en flats, die er meestal ook als een fabriek uit kwamen te zien. Deze radicale minimalistische architectuur vloeide voort uit een poging alles te verwerpen wat 'burgerlijk' en 'onzuiver' was, inclusief puntdaken, zuilen, versiering, lijstwerk, symmetrie, gulheid en warmte.'

[Rytas Sakas]

Vsio guys žinau viską apie Western Architecture try me (pls don't)

[Fran]

good book for art lovers ,also with tips of hystorical development of the ancient civilizactions ,now im reading carolingian and romanesque in europe,very good review David Watkin


finished
14-05-10

It is an excellent book that describes the different styles ,the most famous architects and their buildings more famous,
i found it very interesting the nineteenth century in North America.
It is a book dense and requires prior knowledge of art,
is not an initiation ,rather is a textbook .

[Nikoleta]

Εντάξει, το παραδέχομαι, ειναι καλό, αναλύει τεχνοτροπίες κ ευτυχως τις εντάσσει στο κοινωνικοπολιτικο σύστημα της κάθε χώρας κ εποχής, έτσι χωνευεται πιο εύκολα! Κ ναι... το αδικο διοτι το διαβασα με το ζορι για τη σχολη! Κατα τα αλλα μια χαρα βιβλιο!!!

[Andreas Schmidt]

Architettura occidentale per profani
E' un testo generico che non pretende di insegnare il tecnicismo né la sociologia (che in fin dei conti è connaturato nell'architettura) come altri testi. Comincia dal palazzo di Cnosso come primo esempio di architettura occidentale fino agli anni '80 e '90. Contiene una buona dose di termini tecnici per noi architetti, ma appunto come ho già detto manca della spiegazione degli usi e costumi (presenti in tanti altri libri, come "Architettura paleocristiana e bizantina" di Richard Krautheimer) dei committenti, progettisti e costruttori. Il corredo fotografico è abbastanza ampio e ricco.

[Simon Moons]

Watkin laat de geschiedenis makkelijk lezen.

[David Bisset]

A Magnum Opus with enthralling narrative and superb descriptions of individual buildings. The 6th edition declares the early 20st century to be a glorious period for exciting architecture!

[Julia]

*read for university

[Michael Pennington]

Good university text

[Raphaela Folia]

Αρκετά καλό σε ότι αφορά το ιστορικό-κοινωνικό-πολιτικό σύστημα της αρχιτεκτονικής! μαθαίνεις αρκετά πάνω στα τμήματα αυτά

[Megan Villasenor]

This book is very thorough with the details it is trying to say about the architecture of the time period. one can see the evolution of architecture through Mesopotamian times up till the twentieth century. i liked that there is a mixture of black and white photos with color photos. also there is not just a description of the buildings, but there is also a background of the architect too. i am know very knowledgeable about architecture due to this book. if you are looking for a detailed history of western architecture then read this book; however, there are a lot of details to try and sort through so it may get confusing.

[RiMariPo]

Un libro che tenta di recuperare quanto fatto da Sir Banister Fletcher per le accademie anglofone. Purtroppo cade nell'eccessiva generalizzazione dovuta ad evidenti necessità di mercato, unitamente alla stampa di immagini in bianco e nero, che non consentono di fruire propriamente delle opere senza l'ausilio di internet.
Utile come manuale di consultazione per un primo approccio ai vari periodi della storia e delle relative tendenze architettoniche principali.

[Indri Juwono]

Sebagai pegangan untuk belajar kompendium Arsitektur, buku ini memberi nilai A untuk mata kuliah pegangan Budi Sukada itu.
Untuk yang suka sejarah, ini dapat jadi referensi.

[Vanlilith]

-

[Vanlilith]

architettura&arte

[Sara Regina]

abc

[Miguel Felix]

it´s good

[Marie]

This is my Bible. 'Nuff said.