Shaping the Surface

More about the book

This book explores the history of modern British architecture through the themes of surface, materiality, and decoration, reflecting a "national mania for beautiful surface quality" identified by art historian Nikolaus Pevsner. It examines British architectural surfaces from the mid-19th century to the early 21st century, tracing a continuing sensibility towards surface and materiality in recent architectural traditions. The narrative delves into key cultural moments and movements, including Romanticism, Arts and Crafts, Brutalism, High-Tech, Post-Modernism, Neo-Vernacular, and the New Materiality. It raises questions about the existence of national character in architecture and the identification of a British architectural consciousness amidst a tradition influenced by global ideas and materials. This work offers a critical meditation on the significance of surface and materiality for architects, designers, and historians, serving as a thematic introduction to modern British architectural history. It includes in-depth analyses of influential figures such as Ruskin, William Morris, Alison and Peter Smithson, Eduardo Paolozzi, Richard Rogers, and Caruso St John, making it relevant for audiences in Britain and beyond.