Marcel Breuer (1902-1981) designed a remarkable array of buildings during a vibrant architectural era, showcasing an unexpected diversity in structure, material, form, and purpose. This study commemorates the centenary of his birth and reflects on his significant contributions to culture and the built environment over the past century. Architectural historian Isabelle Hyman has compiled this timely work using extensive unpublished archival materials, along with hundreds of photographs, sketches, notes, and plans, some of which are from Breuer's personal collection. Hyman documents both Breuer's built and unbuilt projects, beginning with an introduction that traces the critical reception of his architecture throughout his career and beyond. The first part of the volume presents a fully illustrated biography in six chapters, detailing each phase of Breuer's practice from the 1920s to the 1970s, as he transitioned from Germany and the Bauhaus to England and the United States. The second part offers a comprehensive survey of Breuer's buildings and projects, organized by type of commission—such as museums, libraries, churches, and residences—highlighting the remarkable range of his work for various patrons around the globe.
