by Lucy Peel
First published 1989
Twentieth century architecture transformed how humans live, work, and move through space. Lucy Peel examines this radical shift from traditional building methods to modernist principles that reshaped cities worldwide. She traces the movement from ornate Victorian structures to the clean lines of International Style, exploring how architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe broke from historical precedents. Peel connects architectural developments to broader social and technological changes, showing how steel frame construction, reinforced concrete, and glass curtain walls enabled new building forms. The book covers major movements including Art Deco, Bauhaus, and Brutalism, explaining how each responded to contemporary needs and aesthetic ideals. Peel provides readers with a comprehensive foundation for understanding how modern architecture emerged and evolved, making complex design concepts accessible to general audiences interested in the built environment.
Genres: history, 20th-century, non-fiction, art-history, design, architecture
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: educational, informative
Period: 20th Century
128 pages · Hardcover · Chartwell Books, Inc.