Kenneth Powell Book order

The Great Builders surveys the careers of forty great architects whose engineering skills were crucial to their success. Sixteen nationalities and seven centuries of architectural innovation make for a survey of spectacular scope and depth: from churches and fortresses to bridges and high-tech skyscrapers, it includes masterpieces from all over the world and covers 700 years of architectural history. Here is Brunelleschi, who built the 'unbuildable' dome of Florence Cathedral; Sinan, a Christian engineer who became chief architect to the Ottoman court; Joseph Paxton, scribbling down a design for the Crystal Palace, London, on a piece of blotting paper; and James Bogardus, an early American evangelist of the opportunities offered by cast-iron architecture. Rapid advances in industrial production inspired experiments with new materials and techniques, gradually allowing a whole new architecture to emerge: reinforced concrete, plate glass and steel were central to the creations of Le Corbusier, Auguste Perret and Mies van der Rohe, for instance; and, in the High-Tech architecture of the present day - represented by Norman Foster, Frank Gehry and Santiago Calatrava, among others - computer-aided design has seemingly tested the boundaries of the possible. With 26 illustrations, 19 in colour

Completed in 1984 by Arup Associates 1 Finsbury Avenue (1FA), the first section of the Broadgate masterplan was widely acclaimed at the time and has since been listed as a Grade II building by Historic England. It was commonly acknowledged as having set the exemplar for future commercial architecture in the UK, introducing major innovations in construction methods and materials from the US, and adopting a whole new approach to the design and planning of an office block. 1FA is currently undergoing a prestigious mixed-use restoration by British Land, in liaison with Historic England, and designed by award-winning architects Alford Hall Monaghan Morris. While retaining the distinctive listed facade and reintroducing the original plan's full-height interior atrium, AHMM have taken a similarly innovative and experimental approach to the complex, and in doing so, have set a new exemplar for the future of office design in the 21st Century. This book sets the iconic building in its historic context, before detailing the story of its initial development, design, and construction, its listing, and the effect of this listing on a commercial property in terms of planning and adaptive re-use. It then critically examines the current, similarly innovative scheme and the reimagining of this late 20th century landmark.

A major new illustrated study of a remarkable piece of architecture and engineering, and one of Britain's most iconic landmarks.

Seth Stein's architectural work is characterized by its striking and elegant designs that feature sculptural forms and abundant natural light. His mastery of materials and exquisite detailing create a strong sense of place, while the projects exhibit a deceptive simplicity. Additionally, there is a focus on intrinsic environmental sustainability, highlighting a commitment to eco-friendly practices in architecture.

A major presence on the architectural scene for more than half a century, Arup Associates emerged from Ove Arup's famous engineering consultancy in the mid-twentieth century as a reflection of Arup's vision of "total design." With its architects, engineers, and other professionals working collaboratively, Arup Associates offered a uniquely interdisciplinary approach to the design of buildings.The first monograph on Arup Associates in more than thirty years, this book examines the work of the firm from the 1950s to the 1990s, assessing the contributions of its leading designers-including Sir Philip Dowson, Derek Sugden, and Peter Foggo-and revisiting some of the company's most groundbreaking designs, from the Snape Maltings concert hall to its projects at Finsbury Avenue and Broadgate. Informed by interviews with many former and current members of the practice, this beautifully illustrated book offers a new perspective on an exceptional body of architectural design. (ed.).

Designed by the internationally renowned architect Renzo Piano and developed by Irvine Sellar, The Shard is one of the worlds most striking new skyscrapers and is now, at 310m, the tallest building in Western Europe. Almost twice the height of any other viewing gallery in London, the View on floors 68, 69 and 72 offers visitors a 360-degree, 40-mile view over one of the worlds most historic and exciting cities. Organized spread by spread, easy to navigate and as elegantly designed as the building itself, the official guidebook sets The Shard in the context of Southwark, before outlining the design principles and construction story of the building. Also included are Q&As with both the architect and the developer and fascinating facts and stats relating to this extraordinary building. Central to the books purpose as the official guidebook is a series of twelve double-page panoramic photographs of the view from The Shard, all of them new to this edition. An informative souvenir for visitors to The Shard, the book will also be available in the trade, making it available to all Londoners and visitors to the capital.

Ahrends, Burton and Koralek (ABK) was established in London in 1961 by three young AA graduates, Peter Ahrends, Richard Burton and Paul Koralek. By the 1970s, ABK was known as one of the most creative and versatile of Britain's younger practices, its workload ranging from college buildings in Oxford and Chichester to housing, public libraries, retail and industrial buildings. While influenced by High-tech, their buildings were characterised by a concern for strong form and materiality. Major projects of the 1980s included stations for the Docklands Light Railway and the pioneering St Mary's Hospital on the Isle of Wight, as well as buildings at Hooke Park in Dorset designed in collaboration with Frei Otto. ABK's victory in the prestigious 1982 competition for an extension to the National Gallery in London reflected the firm's standing but the scheme was abandoned following a controversial intervention by the Prince of Wales. Written by eminent architectural author and critic, Kenneth Powell, and lavishly illustrated with images from the practice's archive and stunning new photography, this book is an essential read for architects, students, architectural historians and anyone who is interested in learning more about a key practice in British post-war architecture. This book has been commissioned as part of a series of books on Twentieth Century Architects by RIBA Publishing, English Heritage and The Twentieth Century Society.

Focusing on the Richard Rogers Partnership's projects between 1994 and 2005, this book delves into the architectural innovations and design philosophies that shaped contemporary architecture. It highlights key works, exploring the interplay of functionality and aesthetics while showcasing the firm's commitment to sustainability and urban integration. Through detailed analysis and visuals, the book illustrates how the partnership's designs reflect broader cultural and environmental concerns during this transformative period in architecture.

The practice was formed in 1976 in New York, and rapidly made its mark on international architecture with buildings such as 333 Wacker Drive in Chicago (1979-1983) and DG Bank Headquarters in Frankfurt (1986-1993). They went on to become one of the most creative and productive offices worldwide and in particular made a name for themselves in the field of skyscraper construction. This volume presents 19 selected buildings and projects under construction. The focus of the book is the work of KPF London who has gained prominence in recent years with a number of imaginative and technically advanced buildings. Amongst the projects included are: Thames Court London, World Trade Centre in Amsterdam, Rothermere American Institute in Oxford, ENDESA Headquarters in Madrid etc.. All are documented with colour illustrations, technical plans and explanatory texts, which show that KPF´s reputation amongst the best is well-deserved. Author Kenneth Powell is an architect and has been an architecture critic for many years

The work of British architects ABK is characterised by the founding partners' belief that buildings should address far more than purely functional needs. Energy and the environment, historical context and user participation are central to their work. Peter Ahrends, Richard Burton and Paul Koralek are particularly interested in the integration of art, architecture and landscape, an approach which has resulted in a series of collaborative partnerships over the course of their careers. This book traces ABK's development, from early landmark projects like the Berkeley Library at Trinity College, Dublin to the highly acclaimed British Embassy in Moscow, which opened in 2000. It also tells the full story, for the first time, behind the most notorious British architectural episode of the 1980s - how ABK won the commission to design an extension to the National Gallery in London, only to have it taken away from them when Prince Charles described the scheme as a 'monstrous carbuncle'.