Architecture and Modernity: A Critique

by Hilde Heynen

Bridges the gap between the history and theory of twentieth-century architecture and cultural theories of modernity. In this exploration of the relationship between modernity, dwelling, and architecture, Hilde Heynen attempts to bridge the gap between the discourse of the modern movement and cultural theories of modernity. On one hand, she discusses architecture from the perspective of critical theory, and on the other, she modifies positions within critical theory by linking them with architecture. She assesses architecture as a cultural field that structures daily life and that embodies major contradictions inherent in modernity, arguing that architecture nonetheless has a certain capacity to adopt a critical stance vis-à-vis modernity. Besides presenting a theoretical discussion of the relation between architecture, modernity, and dwelling, the book provides architectural students with an introduction to the discourse of critical theory. The subchapters on Walter Benjamin, Ernst Bloch, Theodor Adorno, and the Venice School (Tafuri, Dal Co, Cacciari) can be studied independently for this purpose.

Genres: Architecture

278 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 1999

Reviews

[gøkhan kiyici · Rating 5 out of 5]

kitabın yeni baskısı oldu mu kontrol etmedim ancak çeviri ile ilgili endişelerim oluştu. hâlihazırda ağır bir kuramsal metnin çevirisinde daha başka bir dil arıyorum. özellikle geç çevrilen teori kitaplarında bugünün okuyucusuna daha tanıdık gelen bir içerik görmek gerekiyor. metin eski, zor bir dille orijinalinde yazılmışsa dahi bu bir kurgu kitabı olmadığı için bu gözetilmeli diye düşünüyorum. basımda sayfa düzeni ve dipnotlara dair de umarım yeni baskılarda başka bir tavıra şans verilir. bunun dışında modernite ve mimarlık ilişkisini zaman zaman konunun dışına da çıkarak tartışan yazar, pek çok konuda toparlayıcı ve konunun yeni meraklıları için bolca argüman sunuyor. heidegger, adorno, benjamin, norberg-schulz gibi pek çok teorisyene; loos, koolhaas, constant gibi uygulayıcıların niyetlerine misafir oluyorsunuz okuma boyunca.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This represents the only book I've ever purchased from the MoMA store for $30-something. By the time I finally pulled it from my shelf, Labyrinth had it advertised for $8... so I'm not buying directly from MoMa again! But I digress. Sort of your run-of-the mill architectural theory book (Adorno, Heidegger, Benjamin and the rest of the select 6 or 7 that apparently represent "Theory" with a capital T). I will say his writing is fairly clear and much of this was interesting. I'm positive, however, that I've already blanked out a whole swath in the middle...so I probably shouldn't be evaluating this material.