William J R Curtis Le Corbusier: Ideas And Forms

An expanded edition on the master of Modernism, Le Corbusier, by award-winning architectural historian William J. R. Curtis.

Originally published in 1996 to critical fanfair, scholar William J.R. Curtis has re-issued his classic text with extensive new scholarship and contemporary research that continues the high standard of the original. Presented chronologically with a clear narrative, Curtis has worked tirelessly not only to document Le Corbusier's key projects in detail but to contextualize them within the architect's overarching philosophy of urbanism and art and the pervading culture of Le Corbusier's time. With full access to the renowned Le Corbusier archive, Curtis' text is lavishly illustrated with new photographs, plans and original sketches and a fresh new design.

Praise for the first edition:

"This is not only the best single work on Le Corbusier - a model of scholarship, erudite yet eminently readable - it is also an invaluable analysis of the creative architectural process. It should be read and re-read by every student of architecture." - Building Design

"William J. R. Curtis is the best architectural historian writing in the English language." - Chicago Tribune

About the author: William J R Curtis is an award-winning historian, critic, writer, curator, painter and photographer. Educated at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, and at Harvard University, he has taught the history of art, theories of design and architecture at several universities worldwide: among others, Harvard University; the Architectural Association, London; Unam, Mexico City; Etsab, Barcelona; Helsinki Institute of Technology; the Accademia di architettura, Mendrisio, Switzerland; and the University of Cambridge where he was Slade Professor of Fine Art 2003-4. In addition to teaching history and theory, Curtis has been directly involved in architectural education in the studio and in juries. He has written historical, critical and theoretical texts on subjects as varied as modern architecture, landscape design, the history of everyday objects, the process of design, historiography, visual education and criticism. His best known books include: the best-selling Modern Architecture Since 1900 and Le Corbusier: Ideas and Forms (both published by Phaidon).

Reviews: "The most lucid and complete chronicle yet available of Le Corbusier’s achievement and (in the words of his title) the 'ideas and forms' which successively and cumulatively account for its significance. It is, then, as incise narrative... Illuminated by penetrating critical commentary that this book excels."—Times Literary Supplement

"This book is an admirable as well as well-timed introduction to Le Corbusier. In it much recent scholarship has been pulled together and presented in a lively account of Le Corbusier’s life and work... It is also a record of personal observation and synthesis by an informed and shrewdly sensitive author which will remain valid and fresh in the long term."—Architectural Review

"William J R Curtis is the best architectural historian writing in the English language, and that alone makes this book something of an event. Unsurprisingly, Curtis has turned out what is probably the most comprehensive, well balanced and interesting narrative yet produced about one of the giants of 20th century architecture."—Chicago Tribune

"As a study of the life and work of possibly the most erudite, probably the most gifted, and certainly the most disturbing architect of the present century, it is unlikely to be superseded."—The Architect, Royal Institute of British Architects' Journal

"...A much expanded version of an earlier monograph... Definitive, chronological, sumptuously illustrated... Curtis is [...] balanced and inclusive, offering excellent discussions of all the Indian work, of many unexecuted projects, and of the vast influence Corbusier has exercised... I think there is no better introduction to the man and his work."—Architects Journal

"Just as Le Corbusier is a 'classic' of modern architecture, Curtis's monograph is a 'classic' of the Corbusian bibliography. And with this new edition - substantially enlarged, both in text and illustrations - the book will become indeed the main reference for understanding Le Corbusier's contribution to universal architecture."—Arquitectura Viva

Specifications: Format: Hardback Size: 305 × 238 mm (12 × 9 3/8 in) Pages: 512 pp Illustrations: 500 illustrations