Last Futures
Nature, Technology and the End of Architecture
By Douglas Murphy | Publisher: Verso Books
About the book
Whatever happened to the last utopian dreams of the city?
In the late 1960s the world was faced with impending disaster: the height of the Cold War, the end of oil and the decline of great cities throughout the world. Out of this crisis came a new generation that hoped to build a better future, influenced by visions of geodesic domes, walking cities and a meaningful connection with nature. In this brilliant work of cultural history, architect Douglas Murphy traces the lost archeology of the present day through the works of thinkers and designers such as Buckminster Fuller, the ecological pioneer Stewart Brand, the Archigram architects who envisioned the Plug-In City in the ’60s, as well as co-operatives in Vienna, communes in the Californian desert and protesters on the streets of Paris. In this mind-bending account of the last avant-garde, we see not just the source of our current problems but also some powerful alternative futures.
Editions of Last Futures
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781781689752
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781781689820
- EBook
- ISBN 9781781689813
Read an Excerpt
Whatever happened to the last utopian dreams of the city?
In the late 1960s the world was faced with impending disaster: the height of the Cold War, the end of oil and the decline of great cities throughout the world. Out of this crisis came a new generation that hoped to build a better future, influenced by visions of geodesic domes, walking cities and a meaningful connection with nature. In this brilliant work of cultural history, architect Douglas Murphy traces the lost archeology of the present day through the works of thinkers and designers such as Buckminster Fuller, the ecological pioneer Stewart Brand, the Archigram architects who envisioned the Plug-In City in the ’60s, as well as co-operatives in Vienna, communes in the Californian desert and protesters on the streets of Paris. In this mind-bending account of the last avant-garde, we see not just the source of our current problems but also some powerful alternative futures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Last Futures about?
Whatever happened to the last utopian dreams of the city?
In the late 1960s the world was faced with impending disaster: the height of the Cold War, the end of oil and the decline of great cities throughout the world. Out of this crisis came a new generation that hoped to build a better future, influenced by visions of geodesic domes, walking cities and a meaningful connection with nature. In this brilliant work of cultural history, architect Douglas Murphy traces the lost archeology of the present day through the works of thinkers and designers such as Buckminster Fuller, the ecological pioneer Stewart Brand, the Archigram architects who envisioned the Plug-In City in the ’60s, as well as co-operatives in Vienna, communes in the Californian desert and protesters on the streets of Paris. In this mind-bending account of the last avant-garde, we see not just the source of our current problems but also some powerful alternative futures.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Last Futures?
The Arts > Architecture > Theory of architecture
Where can I read a sample of Last Futures?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781781689752
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Last Futures?
Douglas Murphy
Who is the Publisher of the book Last Futures?
Verso Books
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Last Futures is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781781689752) and paperback(ISBN 9781781689820) and ebook(ISBN 9781781689813)
Where can I buy Last Futures online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Last Futures from below
Where can I buy Last Futures?