About the book
From the opening sentences of his first book on architecture, Home, Witold Rybczynski seduced readers into a new appreciation of the spaces they live in. He also introduced us to \"an unerringly lucid writer who knows how to translate architectural ideas into layman's terms\" (The Dallas Morning News). Rybczynski's vast knowledge, his sense of wonder, and his elegantly uncluttered prose shine on every page of his latest meditation on the art of building.
Looking Around is about architecture as an art of compromisebetween beauty and function, aspiration and engineering, builders and clients. It is the story of the Seagram Building in New York and the Wexner Center for the Visual Arts in Columbus, Ohioa museum that opened without a single painting on view, so that critics could better appreciate its design. But what of the visitors who want a building that displays art well? What of those who work in the building? Looking Around explores the notion of the architect as superstar and assesses giants from Palladio to Michael Graves, styles from classicism to high tech. It demonstrates how architecture actually worksor doesn'tin corporate headquarters, airports, private homes, and the special buildings designed to represent our civilization.
For all its erudition, Looking Around is also bracingly straightforward. Rybczynski looks closely and critically at structures that may once have dazzled us with their ostentation and expense, and sees them as triumphs or failuresof aesthetic ideals and of lasting function. This is a fascinating and illuminating book about an art form integral to our lives.
Editions of Looking Around
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780670844210
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780140168891
Read an Excerpt
From the opening sentences of his first book on architecture, Home, Witold Rybczynski seduced readers into a new appreciation of the spaces they live in. He also introduced us to \"an unerringly lucid writer who knows how to translate architectural ideas into layman's terms\" (The Dallas Morning News). Rybczynski's vast knowledge, his sense of wonder, and his elegantly uncluttered prose shine on every page of his latest meditation on the art of building.
Looking Around is about architecture as an art of compromisebetween beauty and function, aspiration and engineering, builders and clients. It is the story of the Seagram Building in New York and the Wexner Center for the Visual Arts in Columbus, Ohioa museum that opened without a single painting on view, so that critics could better appreciate its design. But what of the visitors who want a building that displays art well? What of those who work in the building? Looking Around explores the notion of the architect as superstar and assesses giants from Palladio to Michael Graves, styles from classicism to high tech. It demonstrates how architecture actually worksor doesn'tin corporate headquarters, airports, private homes, and the special buildings designed to represent our civilization.
For all its erudition, Looking Around is also bracingly straightforward. Rybczynski looks closely and critically at structures that may once have dazzled us with their ostentation and expense, and sees them as triumphs or failuresof aesthetic ideals and of lasting function. This is a fascinating and illuminating book about an art form integral to our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Looking Around about?
From the opening sentences of his first book on architecture, Home, Witold Rybczynski seduced readers into a new appreciation of the spaces they live in. He also introduced us to \"an unerringly lucid writer who knows how to translate architectural ideas into layman's terms\" (The Dallas Morning News). Rybczynski's vast knowledge, his sense of wonder, and his elegantly uncluttered prose shine on every page of his latest meditation on the art of building.
Looking Around is about architecture as an art of compromisebetween beauty and function, aspiration and engineering, builders and clients. It is the story of the Seagram Building in New York and the Wexner Center for the Visual Arts in Columbus, Ohioa museum that opened without a single painting on view, so that critics could better appreciate its design. But what of the visitors who want a building that displays art well? What of those who work in the building? Looking Around explores the notion of the architect as superstar and assesses giants from Palladio to Michael Graves, styles from classicism to high tech. It demonstrates how architecture actually worksor doesn'tin corporate headquarters, airports, private homes, and the special buildings designed to represent our civilization.
For all its erudition, Looking Around is also bracingly straightforward. Rybczynski looks closely and critically at structures that may once have dazzled us with their ostentation and expense, and sees them as triumphs or failuresof aesthetic ideals and of lasting function. This is a fascinating and illuminating book about an art form integral to our lives.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Looking Around?
The Arts > Architecture > Theory of architecture
Where can I read a sample of Looking Around?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780670844210
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Looking Around?
Witold Rybczynski
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Looking Around is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780670844210) and paperback(ISBN 9780140168891)
Where can I buy Looking Around online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Looking Around from below
Where can I buy Looking Around?