For centuries, architecture has been one of the most publicly discussed topics by architects and users or inhabitants, as well as by critics, theorists, historians, and writers. This book provides an overview of these discussions as they have unfolded in the Western world through four thematic paths: housing, society, history, and art.
Each of these four chronological paths begins in the 19th century, spans the 20th century, and concludes as close as possible to the present day. The milestones of this journey are historical documents—books, essays, and articles—that are analyzed, interpreted, critiqued, and compared.
The goal of this book is to demonstrate that architecture remains a vital subject for anyone interested in our contemporary world and its recent history. Reading, investigating, and thinking are essential for making informed decisions. The texts discussed in this book—both canonical works and those that are nearly unknown—are condensed into small pearls of knowledge, strung together to form a kind of necklace: a talisman that can help us understand and confront our current condition.
