The Shock of the Old

by Philip Wilkinson (Author)

• Used

  Illustrated
  2001

  $3.70

  Traditional British architecture was never as conservative as those who now champion it. In this examination of our architectural heritage Philip Wilkinson discovers that the buildings of the past were often dramatically modern statements of form and technology. In medieval cathedrals and the terraced houses of the industrial revolution, in the palaces of the eighteenth century right back to the early buildings of the Romans. The Shock of the Old reveals a great British history of uninhibited and innovative design. Wilkinson argues that contemporary architecture has lost its way because it romanticises periods and styles of the past. We have become nostalgic about materials like iron and brick, but of course when they were invented they were shockingly new. This is a radical reassessment of British architecture today.

• Used

  Hardcover
  2000

  $3.23

  British Buildings is a series on Channel Four presented by Piers Gough, one of Britain's architects. The book deals with Roman architecture, Gothic cathedrals, vernacular buildings, the industrial revolution and modern architecture. By delving into our architectural heritage, Gough will reveal that many buildings of the past, rather than being part of a quaint homogenous British landscape were dramatic statements of modern form, technology and occasionally eccentricity. Gough will argue that contemporary architecture has lost its way because it romanticises periods and styles of the past. He also believes that The failure of modern architecture is the failure to be comfortable. It's not so much that we hate modern styles, more that we don't know how to relax in them . He also believes we have become nostalgic about materials like iron and brick, but of course when they were invented they were shockingly new.