The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture presents a comprehensive global survey of the most outstanding works of contemporary architecture from around the world to be completed in the last five years.
Organized geographically and illustrated with global, regional and sub-regional maps locating each individual building, this monumental tome illustrates more than 1,000 completed buildings and includes some of the most influential projects worldwide as well as many lesser-known buildings.
Sections on World Data, Building Data and Architect's Biographies paint a detailed picture of the influences on contemporary architecture today. Every building type is covered - from the largest publicly-funded art museums and airports to private houses - and each project is illustrated with colour photographs, line drawings and an analytical text.
Eminent architectural critics, curators, journalists and practitioners from all parts of the globe nominate what they consider to be the most outstanding works of contemporary architecture in their regions and beyond. The resulting 1,050 buildings confirm the far-reaching influence of well-known and respected international practitioners such as Jean Nouvel, Tadao Ando, Renzo Piano, Sir Norman Foster, Rem Koolhaas and Herzog & De Meuron, as well as introducing a host of lesser-known architects whose work provides an illuminating point of comparison with their famous counterparts.
This magnificent book provides a unique opportunity to examine contemporary architecture as an evolving global phenomenon with all the cross-cultural influences this suggests, while illustrating the powerful diversity that is generated by climate (from the Arctic circle to the African deserts), culture (from the technologically advanced secularism of western Europe to traditional rural communities) and economics (from the wealthy post-industrial mega-economies to some of the most economically challenged countries of the developing world).
The colossal volume is divided into six geographical regions with meticulous maps in each section, providing geographical orientation and an understanding of where contemporary architecture is being commissioned, designed and built. Its composition, scale, range and depth are truly unprecedented. The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture is essential reading for all those interested in gaining a true understanding of where the best contemporary architecture is located in the world.
'An encyclopedia in one giant volume - five, even ten books in one. Breathtakingly illustrated...a thrill a page...All the buildings included date from 1998 or later so it is a genuine survey of contemporary architecture ... For anyone wishing to see modern wonders on his travels as well as ancient ones this book is a brilliant guide, including many places that are destinations in their own right.' (The Times) 'The modern wonders of the building world...Think of it as a Lonely Planet guide with more 3D elevations and less crap about taxi scams and bilharzia. Impressive...' (Arena) 'An extraordinarily thorough 'best of' exercise...What makes it different from dozens of other books offering the same thing is its ambition and its details...This is the biggest of big picture books...packed with interesting stuff. I could rifle through it for days. Full marks for having drawings that explain the pictures...the scale of this work, and the accessibility of its design, is such that is deserves a wider audience.' (The Sunday Times) 'The only global look at cutting-edge building that's available between two covers...[a] compendium of cool.' (Newsweek) 'For architects, students and the general enthusiast, this titanic tome is an essential source of reference.' (V&A) 'An event of a book, so big it could be the eighth wonder of the world...an unparalleled resource for anyone interested in the cutting edge of architecture. At GBP100, it is quite a bargain too. A must for every bookshelf.' (IDFX) 'So vast it practically needs planning permission...the perfect source book.' (Wallpaper*) 'Wonderful' (Elle Decoration) 'The new Phaidon Atlas is an amazing adventure. Never have I seen more works of architecture from around the world so extensively documented. This Atlas which covers the globe is a must-have for architecture students and professionals alike, as it documents work built from Iceland to New Zealand.' (Richard Meier, architect) 'Move over Bannister Fletcher, there's a new book in town.' (Aaron Betsky, Director of Netherlands Architecture Institute) 'It's a fascinating education for those of us who build or care about making architecture.' (Hani Rashid, Architect and Designer, Asymptote) 'Now we need to reinforce the shelving!'(Zaha Hadid, architect) 'What a brilliant resource.' (David Adjaye, architect) 'Unique, definitive and authoritative, the Atlas demonstrates that architecture is a truly global phenomenon.' (Deyan Sudjic, Curator and Critic) 'A wonderful resource on architecture.' (Bob Emmerson, Chairman, Arup Group) 'A first-class ticket.' (Will Alsop, architect) 'Heavy-weight champion of architecture reference books.' (Architect's Newspaper)
