History of architecture Books

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Book SynopsisWidely regarded as one of the most significant prophets of modern architecture, Adolf Loos was a star in his own time. His work was emblematic of the turn-of-the-century generation that was torn between the traditional culture of the nineteenth century and the innovative modernism of the twentieth. His essay 'Ornament and Crime' equated superfluous ornament and 'decorative arts' with underclass tattooing in an attempt to tell modern Europeans that they should know better. But the negation of ornament was supposed to reveal, not negate, good style; and an incorrigible ironist has been taken too literally in denying architecture as a fine art. Without normalizing his edgy radicality, Masheck argues that Loos's masterful "astylistic architecture" was an appreciation of tradition and utility and not, as most architectural historians have argued, a mere repudiation of the florid style of the Vienna Secession. Masheck has reads Loos as a witty, ironic rhetorician who has all too often been taken at face value. Far from being the anti-architect of the modern era, Masheck's Loos is 'an unruly yet integrally canonical artist-architect'. He believed in culture, comfort, intimacy and privacy and advocated the evolution of artful architecture. This is a brilliantly written revisionist reading of a perennially popular architect.Trade Review'A monumental contribution to the Loos literature - ambitiously conceived,thoroughly provocative, and deeply insightful.' Joan Ockman, Distinguished Senior Fellow, School of Design, University of Pennsylvania 'Masheck - also - demonstrates - how [Loos's] abstract approach to form anticipated in a specific way the discourse of American minimalist art.' Kenneth Frampton, Ware Professor of Architecture, Columbia University 'A provocative take on Adolf Loos at a time when criticism has exhausted its theoretical resources, and the near past seems almost out of reach.' Gevork Hartoonian, Professor of Architecture, University of Canberra 'This penetrating book - guide[s] us round the paradoxes of this dandified enemy of ornamental invention whose most prominent masterpiece is a bronze and-marble colonnaded gentlemen's outfitter!' Joseph Rykwert, Cret Professor of Architecture Emeritus, University of PennsylvaniaTable of ContentsList of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgements Abbreviations 1. Loos and Fine Art 2. Loosian Vernacular: An American Case 3. Loos and Imperial New York 4. Critique of Ornament 5. Architecture and Ornament in Fact 6. Everybody’s Doric 7. Architecturelessness and Sustainable Art 8. The Wittgenstein House as Loosian 9. Loos and Minimalism Notes Works cited Index

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Book SynopsisMedieval castles were, alongside the great cathedrals, the most recognisable buildings of the medieval world. Closely associated with concepts of justice, lordship and authority as well as military might, castles came to encapsulate the period's very essence. Looking at above and below-ground evidence and examining a wide variety of sites - from towering donjons to earth and timber castles - in different parts of western Europe, this book explores the relationship between early castle building and the emergence of a new aristocracy and investigates the impact of authority on the organisation of the landscape. A particular focus is on the social context of early private fortifications: Europe’s earliest castles came to embody a new and radically different form of power – an aristocratic authority that was highly personal in nature, glaringly visible in its presence, and enforceable through violence, both threatened and real. The volume reassesses traditional models of castle origins; examines aspects of elite lifestyle in and around these structures, including pastimes and diet; considers medieval visual experiences of sites and their settings; and explores some future directions for research.Trade ReviewThe prolific medieval archaeologist and academic author Oliver Creighton has now produced an excellent and thought-provoking short book on the origins and early development of European castles to c AD 1200 . . . This short book makes the formative stages of the ‘medieval castle’ on the European stage much more accessible to readers. -- Terry Barry, Trinity College, Dublin * Medieval Archaeology *Of necessity broad in approach, Oliver Creighton’s text provides us with an accessible, lucid and compelling narrative that introduces the main themes and methods that have emerged in castle studies over the last century, and provides us with a series of illustrative examples to support each area of discussion, without becoming submerged in complex detail. -- Richard Oram * Archaeological Journal *Table of ContentsPreface List of illustrations Debating the European 'Castral Revolution' Earth and Timber Castles Stone Towers of Status and Display The Broader Context: Landscape and Townscape Conclusions: The Rise of the Seigneury Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe ancient churches and cathedrals of England's towns and countryside are among the glories of our national heritage. Yet how were our ancestors able to construct these often substantial edifices without the benefit of modern techniques? How did the medieval masons plan, design and oversee their construction? What methods of construction were used by the medieval carpenters to realise the magnificent roofs and ceilings we see today? In this unique guide, Geoffrey R. Sharpe brings forty years experience of caring for historic buildings to show us how, from the original planning and preparation to the final construction and decoration. In a final chapter the author shows the reader how to assess the history and development of a church from the constructional and architectural clues contained within its features. The result is a work that adds a whole new dimension to our understanding of English church building and architecture.Table of ContentsIntroduction PART 1 : The Construction of Churches Use of limes and cements; Concrete;Foundations;Wall construction;Masonry classifications;Building Stones; Dressing and working stone; Re-use of old stone; Coade stone; The structural use of buttresses; The medieval mason; Stone stairs and steps; stone windows;vaulting; arches; Pillars, piers and columns; Pilasters and responds; Capitals, bases and plinths; Floors; Church towers; Spires and steeples; Gables; Plasterwork; Metalwork; Historic carpentry;Roof construction; Roof coverings; Doors; Structural use of iron; Making and use of stained glass PART 2: Church Architecture The greater churches; Smaller churches and chapels; Saxon churches; Norman churches; Transition to Gothic; Great English cathedrals; Development of the Gothic style; Early English; Decorated; Perpendicular; Features of the building fabric which aid analysis; Porches and vestibules; Arcading; Anchorite cell; Columns, capitals, bases, Piers; Doorways; Windows; Mouldings and ornament;Tracery and foils; Parapets; Cornice; Corbel; Corbel table; Crockets; Regional characteristics of parish churches; Effect of the Renaissance on church design PART 3: Church Interiors Bede roll; Vestry; Sacristy; Lairstal; Crypts; Heart burials; Church fixtures and fittings; Pulpitum; Rood screen;Rood loftChancel screen; Parclose screen; Tower screen; Balacchino; Reredos;Triptych; Retable; Gradine; PiscinaLocker; Aumbry; Dole cupboard; Ambo; Reading desk; Sounding board; Church lighting and heating; Church monuments and memorials; Tomb chests; Table tombs;Tester-tombs; Dresser tomb; Wall monuments; Wall tablets; Cartouche; Brass plates' Tide dials;Almonry:Signs and symbols; Church bells PART 4: Investigating the Development of a Church Index

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