Architecture on the Carpet by Brenda Vale

Architecture on the Carpet by Brenda Vale

This entertaining and intriguing book explores the host of connections linking the model-building toys of the modern period with architectural movements, social history, and national identities and myths. Brenda and Robert Vale investigate not only how model sets have reflected different building styles, both historic and contemporary, but also whether the toys themselves influenced the subsequent careers of the children who grew up playing with them. A wealth of illustrations support their case. The authors show how the famous prefabricated engineered aesthetic of Meccano does seem to have influenced some notable architects, though they question whether an early experience of Arkitex necessarily engendered a love of high-rise offices. They draw out novel connections between model-railway buildings and modernism; model sets such as Castos and reinforced concrete housing; and even between the creative but slightly surreal Playplax and postmodern deconstructivist architecture. Informative, opinionated and ranging across more than a century of toys and architectural trends, this book imparts an infectious nostalgia for these wonderful toys, many of them vintage classics.

'Successful and enjoyable … will appeal to anyone for whom the words ‘Arkitex’, ‘Minibrix’, or even ‘Lego’ conjures distant memories of constructional fun' - Architecture Today
'The first book on architectural history I have read for a long time that made me repeatedly laugh out loud … The ideal stocking-filler for the model housebuilder in your own family' - The World of Interiors

Brenda Vale is professor in the School of Architecture at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Together with her husband Robert they are the authors of The Autonomous House, Green Architecture, The New Autonomous House and Time to Eat the Dog?, all published by Thames & Hudson. Robert Vale is professor in the School of Architecture at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Jointly with his wife Brenda they are the authors of The Autonomous House, Green Architecture, The New Autonomous House and Time to Eat the Dog?, all published by Thames & Hudson.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780500342855
ISBN 10	0500342857
Title	Architecture on the Carpet
Author	Brenda Vale
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Thames & Hudson Ltd
Year published	2013-07-01
Number of pages	208
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.