The Master Builders: Le Corbusier, Mies Van Der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright

by Peter Blake

Book Overview

Le Corbusier gave to modern design a sure and brilliant sense of form; Mies brought an almost Gothic discipline of structure; and Wright heralded a new and dramatic concept of space and freedom. Through this triple focus, Peter Blake provides a perspective on the entire range of twentieth-century architecture.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393007960
• ISBN13: 9780393007961
• Release Date: January 1976
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 430 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Master Builders Review by an Art History Professor

If you are looking for a book that clearly articulates the style and influences of the major early 20th century architects, this is the book for you. Great for students who need to review stylistic characteristics succinctly for college courses as well as architectural enthusiasts. This book clearly set in context how the personalities of Corbusier, Mies, and Wright and their cultural backgrounds influenced their architectural style. If you need to own one book about these architects, this is it!

R. Hunsaker review of: The Master Builders: Le Corbusier, Mies Van Der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright

For those interested in the development of American architecture, this is an excellent source. It spans the works of the 3 great architects who laid down the guiding principles for modern architecture in the United States and shows the evolution of each. Many of their beautiful works are pictured and described by the author, a former architecture school dean. The principles involved and aesthetic qualities are elaborated. It gives an appreciation of how many current architectural styles evolved and also comments briefly on some of the failings of today. It also traces the interplay between artistic movements - Art Noveau, Cubism, Impressionism, de Stijl - and architecture. The book is well written, highly literary and frequently humorous. It is enjoyable and educational for anyone with an interest in contemporary architecture and the artistic geniuses who created it as it came about in the United States thru the 20th century.

Excellent review of three amazing lives.

This book provides the reader not only with deep insight into these three great pillars of the 20th century, but also helps one understand their influence on art as well. One can see the bridge between their buildings and artists like Braque, Rothko, and those associated with De Stijl. I think it is a fine book for those who may not be familiar with these three men. It is highly readable and recommended!

NEVER HAS THERE BEEN A BETTER WAY TO UNDERSTAND GENIUS

This book offers a great way to understand 3 of the most amazing men in Architectural history. This book is hard to put down once started. This book is great for anyone who enjoys Architecture as a hobby, and is extremely resourceful for anyone who studies Architecture at a college level. This book in my opinion is a must have.

Super insight into three amazing individuals

An absolutely wonderful read! These men were/are fascinating. Corbu, Mies, and Wright make quite a trio--it is interesting how their lives and works intertwined. They created our world--and that's a fantastic realization! Is "less" really "more"? Find out here!