American Architecture (Thames and Hudson, 1985) by David P. Handlin presents the full picture of architectural developments in the US. The book appeared in the World of Art series which is a handy pocket-sized series of insightful literature about art and architecture.
America has always presented a unique challenge to architects: should they emulate the Old World or respond to the demands of the New? Professor Handlin tells the complex story with lucidity and insight. Almost from its 17th-century beginnings, American architecture was subject to two apparently contradictory processes – the practical and the grandiose. The first comes through in the vernacular buildings of rural America, the innovations of Jefferson, Bulfinch’s fine civic buildings, the offices and factories of the Industrial Age, and the comfortable domestic tradition that lies behind the houses of the Greene Brothers and Frank Lloyd Wright. The second is seen in the unprecedented daring of the Chicago School – great engineers like Adler united with great designers like Sullivan; in the majestic state capitols, exhibition halls, and public buildings by firms su as McKim, Mead & White; in the luxury of Fifth Avenue mansions; and in the exuberance of commercial Manhattan. the book ends with a lively account of today’s situation, when style, from Johnson to Venturi, is perhaps even more varied than ever.
– David P. Handlin, American Architecture (Thames and Hudson, 1985), book description from the back cover
The text is in English. The book has been richly illustrated with b&w photographs and architectural drawings.
The copy in our stock is in good condition. The pages are clean without any markings. The glueing of the binding is fine. The covers show only some minor signs of shelf wear; there are two old price stickers.