Making it New: the discourses of architecture and modernism in Britain

Much of the most innovative architecture of the second half of the twentieth century came from Great Britain: the Smithsons, Archigram, Rogers, Foster, Koolhaas and Hadid are among many others whose work gained international significance. Having played no part in the early formulation of Modernism, Britain found itself, to much surprise, to be the home of the most significant architectural work. It has been central in the formulation of new polemic and practice more than any other single country, whether in the post-war field of city rebuilding and later the expressions of Brutalism, the technological imperative of Archigram, or the new modernities generated at the Architectural Association School. But behind the achievements of specific architects and their built and unbuilt work lies a rich architectural culture which can be seen most acutely through key books and journals in their formulation of ideas. This is the introductory chapter from Higgot, A. Mediating Modernism: Architectural Cultures in Britain. London: Routledge.

Citation:

Higgot, A. (2007) ‘Making it New: the discourses of architecture and modernism in Britain’, in Higgot, A. Mediating Modernism: Architectural Cultures in Britain. London: Routledge, pp.3-32.

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