Ideas That Shaped Buildings by M Fil Hearn

Ideas That Shaped Buildings by M Fil Hearn

Identifying the operative ideas in architectural theory from ancient Rome to the present and codifying them into coherent theoretical systems; for students, practitioners, and the general reader.

In Ideas That Shaped Buildings, Fil Hearn identifies and codifies into theoretical systems the operative tenets of architectural theory from ancient Rome to the present. With this strikingly original synthesis of architectural history and theory, he constructs an intellectual armature on which virtually any architectural concept, past or present, can be positioned. Dealing mainly with the treatises that have been highly influential historically, he organizes their concepts thematically and analyzes their development through time. Straightforward and concise, Ideas That Shaped Buildings is readily accessible to architecture students, practicing architects, and the general public--indeed anyone interested in understanding the design rationale of buildings. Its overarching message is that, far from being constricting, proper knowledge and application of architectural theory is enabling and inspiring, and makes creative freedom possible by providing the conceptual awareness needed to devise a design.

After an introductory history of the development of architectural theory, the text is divided into four parts. The first deals with issues relevant to all theories of architecture. The second, treating theory from antiquity to 1800, focuses on the prescriptive conventions inherent in the classical tradition. The third, treating theory after 1800, focuses on the inspirational principles prompted by rationalist perceptions of the Gothic tradition. The fourth, treating theory since 1965, deals with rationales beyond rationalism and the influence of computers on design method and design formulation. The concepts discussed are illustrated with theoretical drawings and images of actual buildings.

Hearn, M. Fil: - Fil Hearn is Professor of History of Art and Architecture and Director of Architectural Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780262582278
ISBN 10	0262582279
Title	Ideas That Shaped Buildings
Author	M Fil Hearn
Series	The Mit Press
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	MIT Press Ltd
Year published	2003-10-10
Number of pages	372
Prizes	Winner of Silver Award Winner for Architecture in the 2003 ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards 2003
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.