The globalisation of modern architecture: the impact of politics, economics and social change on architecture and urban design since 1900

At first seeming a quite complex read, soon to became really interesting. A very well written short summary of the history of architecture in a very large time scale. Was most definitely interesting to see the changes that have taken place socially and physically in our world since the Homo Sapiens all the way through to the 20th century.

Fascinating comparison within architecture across continents, when knowledge had not yet been spread. Yet, similar ideas had been used across a wide spread on countries. Also interesting concepts with religion and war and how this can affect the proposed architecture. This was noted especially within the Civil War, new laws passed meaning a huge growth in personal freedom.

“life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” – American Declaration of Independence. 

Architectural knowledge spread when colonies gained power from another. This produced new styles and ideas which had never been experimented with before.

As industrialism spread in the late 19th century introducing the baroque movement in England and Germany. With the United States adopting Frank Lloyd Wright with the Prairie style.

After the first World War, with many technology advances, the modernism movement came about with a fast moving world of painting and sculpture. Architecture was taking a different approach, with different styles, not always being visibly different from one another.

The text gave a huge insight into the changes that took place over such a large scale of time. It is clear however that over the past century the changes have been somewhat more significant in the design of modern architecture.