Exploring the interplay between language and architecture, Roger Connah offers a unique perspective through a five-part "anti-epic" poem. The work delves into the culture of architecture, examining its diverse tribes, innovations, and the dynamics of naming and forgetting within the field. Connah's reflections challenge conventional architectural writing, highlighting the philosophical and semantic influences that shape architectural discourse in the modern era.
Buildings speak volumes, not just about their occupants or owners, but about the countries in which they exist. From colonnades to paving stones, the architecture of any building does more than simply date the structure—it celebrates the spirit of a people and a nation.Roger Connah's latest book, Finland , explores the culture and democratic spirit of a country whose buildings carry the indelible markings of Finland's political and physical climate. Nearly all of the country's buildings were constructed after 1917, when Finland gained its independence from Russia. The resulting architecture—often springing from hugely popular public competitions—is emphatically democratic in structure and usage. Finland's extreme northern latitudes, for their part, have given rise to buildings with an acute sensitivity to the physical environment and to the delicate interplay of light and shadow.From museums to schools to subsidized housing developments, Connah's Finland is an important survey of the country's architecture. Fully illustrated and with detailed examinations of many of the Finnish master architects—including Alvar Aalto—it is also a valuable contribution to the studies of modern architecture and Nordic history.
Comprising the work of 40 young and promising architects, this compendium features photographs and drawings of both complete and incomplete projects such as office buildings, hotels, libraries, housing, summer houses, commercial buildings, and interior design. Competition winning proposals are also included as well as student projects and essays. This compilation of rich and varied material vividly illustrates the direction of contemporary Finnish architecture.
