by Dan Cruickshank (Author)
Dan takes us to the buildings he believes have changed the world, revealing how in truly great buildings function, material and purpose connect to all other parts of life - showing how architecture is the richest and most compelx of man's artistic endeavours. Do his chosen buildings live up to expectation, or does he find disappointment and lost ideals? Architecture is an art, a science and a craft. But buildings also have to fulfil a function, cater for human use, withstand the forces of nature, and be built to a budget. Dan considers all these aspects as he looks at places, some well known, many less so, as varied as the Catherine Palace in St Petersburg, the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan, the Hanging Temple in Shanxi in China, Astana in Kazakhstan, Brasilia, Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, the Lupanare Brothels in Pompeii, and the building of an igloo, man's earliest exercise in the creation of shelter, in Greenland.
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 288
Edition: 1
Publisher: W&N
Published: 03 Apr 2008
ISBN 10: 029784444X
ISBN 13: 9780297844440
Book Overview: Accompanies a landmark 8 part x 1 hour prime-time series on BBC2 to be screened in January 2008.. He covers all aspects of architecture - including beauty, power, paradise, pleasure, urban ideals and dreams. Dan's knowledgeable and entertaining observations make this a compelling but maverick history of architecture. Dan's previous book to accompany a BBC series - Around the World in 80 Treasures - sold more than 70,000 copies.