Modern Architecture - A Book for Architects and the Public #262059

<i>Modern Architecture: A Book for Architects and the Public</i> by Henry Heathcote Statham is a seminal piece on modern architecture covering a large canvas of concepts, ideas and illustrations discussing and describing new styles of buildings with an exhaustive index of diagrams, drawings and photographs of different kinds of architectural techniques. Statham consciously bridges the gap between the artistic and practical side to provide the balance necessary for the perfect blend that defines modern architecture. <br><br>Emanating from a set of lectures that the author gave at an architectural association, the book spans across six chapters covering church architecture, domestic architecture, street architecture and the use of materials like iron among other aspects. It is however, the views propounded by Statham in the opening chapter on Present Position in <i>Modern Architecture: A Book for Architects and the Public</i> which stand out for the reader as it is here that he is able to deconstruct the debate between idealism and practicality that is apparent in the field. <br><br><i>Modern Architecture: A Book for Architects and the Public</i> is not a technical work meant only for professional architects. Statham ensures that the language of his narrative is sanguine and simple to understand for the lay reader. What makes this book different from others on the subject is the wide range of imagery that includes plans, designs and photographs that provide the context required for casual enthusiasts to appreciate and understand the nuances of modern architecture.