The Edifice Complex
How the Rich and Powerful--and Their Architects--shape the World
Penguin Publishing Group · Print & ebook · November 28, 2006
A provocative look at architecture-"exceptionally intelligent and original" (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World) Deyan Sudjic-"probably the most influential figure in architecture you've never heard of" - argues that architecture, far from being auteur art, must be understood as a naked expression of power.
We earn from qualifying purchases.
- Who it’s for
- A sharp-eyed reading of architecture as power, from dictators’ grand projects to presidential-library excess.
- Themes
- Architecture as political power, Building propaganda
- Genres
- Why Buildings Look That Way, History of Architecture, Contemporary Architecture (1945-)
Nearest books
Matched by what the books are about, then ordered by what their readers also loved.
The Infernal LibraryDaniel Kalder48% match
Fallen IdolsAlex von Tunzelmann46% match
StrongmenRuth Ben-Ghiat46% match
Why on Earth Would Anyone Build ThatJohn Zukowsky71% matchShares Why Buildings Look That Way and Contemporary Architecture (1945-)
Makers of Modern ArchitectureMartin Filler70% matchShares Why Buildings Look That Way
How Architecture WorksWitold Rybczynski69% matchShares Why Buildings Look That Way
100 Years, 100 BuildingsJohn Hill65% matchShares Contemporary Architecture (1945-)
ArchitectureJonathan Glancey62% matchShares History of Architecture
For younger readers: Mosque, This Is What I Know About Art, Strongman
Start with three books, and this one can be the first.
Members get a new edition every morning: a route out from their books to essays, research and talks, with the reason for each.
Start with this bookAbout this book
A provocative look at architecture-"exceptionally intelligent and original" (Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post Book World) Deyan Sudjic-"probably the most influential figure in architecture you've never heard of" - argues that architecture, far from being auteur art, must be understood as a naked expression of power.
Continue reading
From the grandiose projects of Stalin and Hitler to the "theme park" excess of today's presidential libraries, Sudjic goes behind the scenes of history's great manipulators of building propaganda-and exposes Rem Koolhaas, Frank Gehry, and other architects in a disturbing new light. This controversial book is essential reading for all those interested in the power of architecture-or the architecture of power. * A Washington Post Book World Best Book of the Year
Power Made Visible
A sharp-eyed reading of architecture as power, from dictators’ grand projects to presidential-library excess.
Come here for
- Architecture treated as political expression, not just auteur art
- A closer look at the ambitions behind famous buildings
Expect
- A provocative lens on Stalin, Hitler, and presidential libraries
- Architects including Rem Koolhaas and Frank Gehry in a new light
Where it sits
| Why Buildings Look That Way | 90% |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Architecture (1945-) | 41% |
| History of Architecture | 37% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Why Buildings Look That Way
- Contemporary Architecture (1945-)
- Urban & Land Use Planning
- Authors
- Deyan Sudjic
- Publisher
- Penguin Publishing Group
- Published
- November 28, 2006
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Theme
- Architecture as political power · Building propaganda
- Reading lane
- Why Buildings Look That Way