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Jul 31, 2008 Ethan rated information technology really liked it

Why is it that the best theorists are architects who merely can't seem to design the type of buildings they advocate? Why is it that the best theorists are architects who just can't seem to design the blazon of buildings they advocate? ...more

Jun 26, 2007 Archer rated it it was amazing

Probably my favorite architectural theory book read to date. Very easy to understand the key points, and complete a useful system of analysis and framing. The "dialectical narrative" follows that architecture, as lineage, modernism included (in it'southward all-time sense), is complex and contradictory. Finis. The greater point is that this implies many other practiced things about architecture. Residual. Restraint. Nuance and the subjective feel. The post-modern atrocious used this equally a rallying cry, but as t Probably my favorite architectural theory book read to date. Very easy to understand the key points, and complete a useful arrangement of analysis and framing. The "dialectical narrative" follows that architecture, as lineage, modernism included (in it's all-time sense), is circuitous and contradictory. Finis. The greater signal is that this implies many other skilful things almost compages. Balance. Restraint. Dash and the subjective feel. The postal service-mod awful used this every bit a rallying cry, just every bit the modern awful used the theories of CIAM/Corbu. Thus it has been unfairly contextualized (no pun) and should be re-read as theory and insight instigator. The biggest fault in the printing of this book (my opinion of Learning from Las Vegas as well) was putting the congenital works in the back. If y'all give idiots something to copy, don't recall they won't and make it worse. ...more

Mar xix, 2015 Bart rated it information technology was amazing

Exceeds even highest expectations. Begins like this (and barely relents):

I like elements which are hybrid rather than "pure," compromising rather than "clean," distorted rather than "straightforward," cryptic rather than "articulated," perverse besides as impersonal, ho-hum every bit well as "interesting," conventional rather than "designed," accommodating rather than excluding, redundant rather than elementary, vestigial besides as innovating, inconsistent and equivocal rather than direct and clear. I a

Exceeds even highest expectations. Begins similar this (and barely relents):

I like elements which are hybrid rather than "pure," compromising rather than "clean," distorted rather than "straightforward," ambiguous rather than "articulated," perverse as well equally impersonal, boring as well every bit "interesting," conventional rather than "designed," accommodating rather than excluding, redundant rather than simple, vestigial as well as innovating, inconsistent and equivocal rather than direct and clear. I am for messy vitality over obvious unity. I include the non sequitur and proclaim the duality.

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May 05, 2017 Myles rated information technology it was amazing

Architects often speak in numinous abstractions. Information technology's what'due south made guys like Kahn and Carlo Scarpa and Aldo Rossi and Alvar Aalto into saints. Though Venturi has many personal idiosyncrasies, he isn't quite and so spiritual in his approach to his work. I capeesh his pragmatism in this small but sweeping survey of the relationships between architectural forms.

His arroyo is encyclopedic and his attending caroms around the globe and between poles on the timeline, from the concentric temple gates a

Architects often speak in numinous abstractions. Information technology's what's made guys similar Kahn and Carlo Scarpa and Aldo Rossi and Alvar Aalto into saints. Though Venturi has many personal idiosyncrasies, he isn't quite so spiritual in his approach to his work. I appreciate his pragmatism in this small but sweeping survey of the relationships betwixt architectural forms.

His arroyo is encyclopedic and his attention caroms around the globe and between poles on the timeline, from the concentric temple gates at Edfu to the home he built for his mother in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He writes with the passion of an erudite fanboy and you can imagine him sitting people down for drinks and preaching, in quick bursts, the expressive differentiation of the within and outside spaces of Wright's Johnson Wax Building. Function-analysis, part-manifesto it reads similar one of those Renaissance Humanist tomes meant to cap a scholar's lifelong study. Lucky for u.s., Venturi went on to practise for another half century, producing some of the nearly memorable, challenging, historically literate works in Postmodernism.

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Sep 21, 2012 Mohamed rated it really liked information technology

Every architect or architectural student should read it he gives an outstanding historical review of many architectural ideas.... From the starting time few pages you will learn that complexity and contradiction in architecture is a good matter, less is abroad, more is skillful!

This 1966 work is a response to certain dogmas of mod compages, especially those that simpler is e'er better and that form must follow from office. Following a primarily historical line of statement (at that place are many dozens of photographs of European cathedrals), Venturi makes the case that a building must serve many masters and therefore must do many things: it must accomplish its plan on the inside, it must fit in with its environs on the exterior, it must interface with popular This 1966 piece of work is a response to certain dogmas of modernistic compages, especially those that simpler is always better and that form must follow from function. Following a primarily historical line of argument (there are many dozens of photographs of European cathedrals), Venturi makes the case that a edifice must serve many masters and therefore must do many things: it must accomplish its programme on the inside, it must fit in with its surroundings on the outside, it must interface with popular styles and available materials, it must adapt to the future, etc. A building, he argues, cannot achieve all of these things while adhering to the radical simplicity of mod compages; rather, a successful edifice must be complex and contradictory (but not overwhelming or distasteful).

This argument is closely related to that of The Timeless Mode of Building (Alexander 1979), written about ten years afterward, which proposes an ideal architectural scheme from first principles as one that satisfies all the competing forces acting on a building. Considering The Timeless Way of Building is really more a work of philosophy than of compages, I found it much easier to read than Venturi'due south book, which definitely assumes a cognition of architectural jargon (poché, pediment, etc.) and the work of the major modern masters (especially Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn).

As a non-architect already well-disposed to the main argument from my prior reading, the most interesting part of the book for me was to go through Venturi's critical word of various buildings and how he "reads" them equally an architect. I never knew, for instance, to remember of two adjacent and identical buildings not just as symmetrical, merely also equally a "duality" in demand of "resolution".

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This book is almost the perfect theory book. Information technology really helps you to understand the post modernism, permit alone architecture ,but also postmodernism theory of art, writing, music, etc . The starting time role is amazingly well writen, very well explained and pretty much aprochable to contemporary blueprint and compages. The five five capacity I think every architect should have in listen when designing. I grew up very fond of this book and Robert Venturi in particular after finishing information technology, even so I believe some This book is almost the perfect theory book. It really helps you to understand the post modernism, let alone architecture ,but also postmodernism theory of art, writing, music, etc . The first part is amazingly well writen, very well explained and pretty much aprochable to gimmicky design and architecture. The five five chapters I think every builder should have in listen when designing. I grew up very fond of this book and Robert Venturi in particular after finishing it, however I believe some of the last pages where all the examples that he lacked madurity at the time of writing and that adorned himself a little to much for my liking. Another con is that sometimes it feels like the author looks way too much into things to prove a unproblematic point. I'd recommend information technology, though. ...more

I like only to rate books that I consider 5 star contributions to culture and real blessings for individual persons' lives. But this book has been then influential that I think it needs to be rated.

I think this is one of the nearly destructive books of the 20th century, considering, to be cursory, it advocates an architecture of decorating sheds which is to put a mask on persons existence condemned to live banality. The alternative is humanistic architecture such as Louis I Kahn skillful and taught. The

I like only to charge per unit books that I consider 5 star contributions to civilization and existent blessings for individual persons' lives. Only this book has been then influential that I think it needs to be rated.

I think this is one of the most destructive books of the 20th century, because, to exist brief, it advocates an architecture of decorating sheds which is to put a mask on persons being condemned to live banality. The alternative is humanistic architecture such as Louis I Kahn good and taught. The book: "Betwixt Silence and Light", by John Lobell, presents Kahn's wise and humane (and succinct) thoughts.

To cite only i example of the bad things in C&CinA (I write here from imperfect memory) on either p.114 or 116, Venturi mocks anile Quakers by saying that his GHUILD HOUSE is topped with a gold anodized antenna which is "a symbol for the aged who watch then much television". Not all 80 year quondam'south have Alzheimer'southward illness and even some of them do meliorate than this. Some other particular: Venturi disdains Paul Rudolph'southward Crawford Manor housing for the elderly as a "duck" for having windows in which the residents' plastic flowers do not wait skilful. Not all elderly are caricatures of a superannuated Homer Simpson. Late Yale Professor Paul Rudolph, architect of Crawford Manor, was not a quack. This is but to scratch the surface of this book which also celebrates Mannerist compages: the architecture of willfully distorted mannerisms.

Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture is a must read (5 stars) because we must study what in the by should never once again exist repeated. This kind of structure of buildings that care non a whit virtually ennobling persons' spirits just just mock them must be targeted and taken out. To interpret the title of an essay by Martin Heidegger: Build in guild to dwell in society to retrieve. Know your enemy! Read this book!

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A provisional review, considering I had to set information technology downwards halfway through for moving/new job/etc., and then would probably benefit from a re-reading:

I like a lot of Venturi'south ideas. There's something very prosaically romantic near embracing compages'south weird piffling complexities rather than papering over them with grand ideas, and I found myself swept away past his ideas for much of the book. Embrace the expedient, the short-term, the relativistic, the cryptic, yes delight.

But the terminal department, discussing

A conditional review, because I had to set up it down halfway through for moving/new task/etc., so would probably benefit from a re-reading:

I like a lot of Venturi's ideas. There's something very prosaically romantic about embracing architecture's weird lilliputian complexities rather than papering over them with grand ideas, and I constitute myself swept away past his ideas for much of the book. Cover the expedient, the short-term, the relativistic, the ambiguous, yes please.

But the last department, discussing his work, is a reminder that cogent criticism doesn't necessarily lead to beautiful architecture, and it helps illuminate the shortcomings in ane of his statements: "architects should accept their small-scale role rather than disguise it... The architect who would take his role as combiner of significant old clichés—valid banalities—in new contexts as his condition within a society that directs its all-time efforts, its big money, and its elegant technologies elsewhere, can ironically limited in this indirect way a true concern for society's inverted scale of values." At that place's something intellectually attractive near that, but in the end, it'southward an statement for ugly architecture as a course of whining virtually being depression-condition.

I think the golden Tv antenna on top of Gild Firm is a perfect summation of this – sure, it'due south funny, but it feels like it's punching downward, mocking the building'southward elderly residents. I'1000 all for humor, irony, whatever yous want to telephone call it, but I needed some more reflection on where that wit should be targeted if you really want to say something meaningful.

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It is a actually good book for architects and compages students, as its main focus is to discuss the idea of how architectural form can produce more meaning through complexity and contradiction than just the simplistic and purist geometry of orthodox modernism.

Venturi statements are bold and clear, strengthned by the get-go-person structure used to write. Although it is a very brief volume, the many examples given by Venturi makes it a longer reading, as you have to look and analyze the drawings

It is a actually skillful book for architects and architecture students, as its principal focus is to discuss the thought of how architectural class can produce more meaning through complexity and contradiction than just the simplistic and purist geometry of orthodox modernism.

Venturi statements are assuming and articulate, strengthned by the first-person structure used to write. Although it is a very brief book, the many examples given by Venturi makes it a longer reading, as yous have to await and analyze the drawings and pictures to clearly understand his points, which is a natural matter to practice, since his soapbox runs mainly around aesthetics. Besides, the way he uses examples from traditional and modernist architecture shows that he isn't against modernism, but rather in favor of any architecture that can produce complexity and contradiction.

The last section of the book, on his works, are a way to come across how his ideas were translated in the built form, but I think many of his projects don't accomplish the same level of complication as the ones analyzed in the book or the contradiction is just likewise like shooting fish in a barrel to read, and doesn't add value to the whole.

Regardless, this is a must reading for all of those that desire to understand why architecture today is what it is, and every bit a theorist Venturi is definitely ane of the best.

...more than

Nov 06, 2018 Terry Kearns rated it really liked it

An important work they say. I'thousand just an architecture enthusiast. Might this have been a more hard read for a professional? It was difficult enough for me, withal:

I'd read Tom Wolf's "From Bauhaus to Our House" before, which recognizes "Complication and Contradiction" as a turning betoken and does a chip of mocking.

I read it as a "stuff I like" book past a famous architect. It's full of too small pictures of extraordinary buildings that I'd never heard of and certainly never seen. He describes them wi

An important work they say. I'm just an compages enthusiast. Might this have been a more difficult read for a professional? It was difficult enough for me, yet:

I'd read Tom Wolf's "From Bauhaus to Our House" before, which recognizes "Complexity and Contradiction" as a turning betoken and does a bit of mocking.

I read it as a "stuff I like" book by a famous builder. It's full of besides small pictures of extraordinary buildings that I'd never heard of and certainly never seen. He describes them with an academic vocabulary that's probably in Architecture 101. I was kind of getting it every bit the end. More often than not I wanted to google these buildings to encounter big pictures of them.

I'1000 glad I read information technology, would like to read it again but alas, I don't remember I'll have time. "Learning for Las Vegas" is next.

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Mar thirteen, 2022 Poilu rated it it was ok

There are a few things that make this volume bad, firstly, besides me it seems as though the entire contents of the book has been arranged to enable him to solely quote Khan and Jeanneret, then if you thought you might go a slight varying opinion to the mainstream degeneration of the past century, you're sorely mistaken. Secondly, Venturi spends the entire volume writing about architecture in the manner he does, referencing works he could only dream of creating, and then has the audacity to show his own hou There are a few things that brand this book bad, firstly, too me it seems as though the unabridged contents of the book has been arranged to enable him to solely quote Khan and Jeanneret, then if you thought yous might go a slight varying opinion to the mainstream degeneration of the past century, you're sorely mistaken. Secondly, Venturi spends the entire book writing near architecture in the way he does, referencing works he could only dream of creating, and then has the audacity to show his own house alongside all of this - a full affront. And finally his writing is laborious and his actual thoughts on how to blueprint (not that of his edifice analysis) seem unclear, other than reducing down to the overdone "Form follows function."

The only reason to pick up the book is to make use of the reference list, not to actually read information technology.

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Sep eleven, 2021 Arend rated information technology actually liked information technology

Easy to see how this text was a breath of fresh air after the decades of Modernism: "It is the difficult unity through inclusion rather than the easy unity through exclusion." And: "[T]he pictures in this book that are supposed to be bad are often good. The seemingly chaotic juxtapositions of honky-tonk elements express and intriguing kind of vitality and validity, and they produce an unexpected approach to unity as well." The text provides various modes of analysis that even a non-architect lik Like shooting fish in a barrel to see how this text was a breath of fresh air after the decades of Modernism: "It is the difficult unity through inclusion rather than the easy unity through exclusion." And: "[T]he pictures in this volume that are supposed to exist bad are often proficient. The seemingly chaotic juxtapositions of honky-tonk elements express and intriguing kind of vitality and validity, and they produce an unexpected approach to unity as well." The text provides various modes of assay that even a not-builder similar me can understand, although at times he descends into word-salad, where terms become and then flexible or distinctions so fine as to exist evanescent that I distrust the truth value of the statement. Merely you can't argue the free energy and the joy of the designer carrying the things he sees. ...more

January 17, 2022 ben c added information technology

Recommends it for: nobody

this was on reading list in college...information technology escaped me although I did actually buy a copy and gave it serious effort.

strikes me as being of a whole load of cobblers, a whole generation of middling designers used this kind of theory to post-rationalise reactionary/rationalism design!

can give headache - avoid

I tin see why it was/is so important

Jul 24, 2020 Sandro rated it it was amazing

His arguments are clear and brilliantly written. I just wish I read this book ten years earlier.

Nov 30, 2013 John Jr. rated it actually liked it

Recommends it for: Charles Dee Mitchell

Though I had read parts of an architectural history, this is probably the kickoff book of architectural theory that I read. It shaped my thinking and sharpened my eye, withal I can't say that it changed my heed in any large way. That's not because the book is unpersuasive--I imagine information technology's quite the opposite--but because, for various reasons, I already shared many of the inclinations that Robert Venturi expresses hither. (Those reasons pertain to my personal and social history, mayhap even my innate "char Though I had read parts of an architectural history, this is probably the first book of architectural theory that I read. It shaped my thinking and sharpened my eye, yet I can't say that it changed my listen in whatsoever large manner. That's not because the book is unpersuasive--I imagine it's quite the opposite--just because, for diverse reasons, I already shared many of the inclinations that Robert Venturi expresses here. (Those reasons pertain to my personal and social history, maybe even my innate "graphic symbol," whatever that is, and I won't get into them here.) I too similar complication and contradiction, not simply in architecture but also in other forms of expression, and I too am inclined to distrust the pure and elementary as likely to be untrue, sterile, or reductive. Architecture happened to be Venturi's field, just it deserved to be singled out for attack because, in the 1960s (when Venture was writing), it was lagging backside the other arts, every bit it still is to some degree in the 21st century. Overly systematic forms of philosophy, though they continued to appear, had been critiqued as far back as the Enlightenment. The Modern orthodoxy in music withal held sway among many professors in the 50s and the 60s but was giving way amidst some practitioners. The visual arts, peradventure the about restless of all, had found many routes beyond Modernism, as had the literary arts, even though both areas often backslid into attempts to shock the bourgeoisie. Why was architecture slow to advance? That's difficult to answer, but it clearly needed a kick in the pants, and information technology got one here.

In thinking about Venturi's delightful footling book now, some 30 years subsequently I read information technology, questions come to listen that my vague retentiveness doesn't answer. The book applauds some aspects of classicism, but I forget exactly how. What about other attempts to create a corking, clean, orderly statement of ethics? What about the chance of orthodoxy? (Virtually viewpoints seem capable of ossifying into rote prescriptions.) What nigh beauty?

Reviews outside this site probably accost some of those issues; I haven't tried to detect them. I did locate a half-dozen-page ready of excerpts, which will give yous an idea of its ideas and its flavor.

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Jan ten, 2012 Adam rated it information technology was amazing

This guy is plain a genius. This book explains, lucidly and brilliantly, the reasons for "postmodernism"'s existence (note: he doesn't call it postmodernism, another reason I want to cuddle him), the range of its entreatment, and even the limitations of taking it too literally as a doctrine or way of practise. Probably the best disquisitional (not fiction) text I take ever read on "postmodernism," or the creative turn in the later 20th century, despite the attempts of thousands of literary scholars an This guy is plainly a genius. This book explains, lucidly and brilliantly, the reasons for "postmodernism"'s existence (note: he doesn't call it postmodernism, another reason I want to caress him), the range of its appeal, and fifty-fifty the limitations of taking it too literally as a doctrine or way of exercise. Probably the best critical (not fiction) text I accept ever read on "postmodernism," or the creative turn in the afterward 20th century, despite the attempts of thousands of literary scholars and sociologists and so-called philosophers etc. to treat the result. Gets information technology downward to something real and concrete and real interesting, and argues the fuck out of his example.

Plus, his architecture is amazing. Turns out I've seen a couple of his buildings in person, without knowing who the architect was, and thought of them equally the most interesting and welcoming of the surround. I'm looking with great artful satisfaction at pictures of his work right now.

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Jan 24, 2013 Alina rated it really liked information technology

I read this book a long agone, and I felt really frustrated (though possibly at present I empathize the irony), because I felt Venturi was incongruent towards the second one-half of the book (he even contradicts himself), but then I thought "who doesn't?", when it comes to architects, that is (sadly) a very common thing: ane tin merely dream of the perfect world, but reality is the just thing you will get.

Every bit my favourite line read: "This is more or less ambiguous." XD

But don't be misled, information technology IS a very insightful

I read this book a long ago, and I felt actually frustrated (though peradventure now I understand the irony), because I felt Venturi was incongruent towards the second half of the book (he even contradicts himself), but then I thought "who doesn't?", when it comes to architects, that is (sadly) a very common affair: one can but dream of the perfect world, only reality is the just affair you will get.

As my favourite line read: "This is more than or less ambiguous." XD

But don't be misled, it IS a very insightful theoretical, analytical book, the problem is I expected it to be more of a handbook that I could use for more applied applications. It is not.
Of form it is worth a read.

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Feb 18, 2011 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

The forcefulness of this groundbreaking book on compages is the succinct way in which Venturi is able to communicate his ideas. The layout of the book also allows you to easily see what he is describing by a generous inclusion of architectural photography that spans history and the world. A must read for anyone interested in architecture.

Sep 28, 2013 Rory Hyde rated it it was amazing

The text opens with "I like...", which I love. Traces a historical narrative of complex and contradictory sense of taste and design that runs counter to reductive modernism. And capped off with examples of VSBA's own work, some peel in the game. A perfectly symmetrical manifesto. The text opens with "I like...", which I love. Traces a historical narrative of complex and contradictory taste and design that runs counter to reductive modernism. And capped off with examples of VSBA'south ain work, some skin in the game. A perfectly symmetrical manifesto. ...more

Nov 11, 2008 Ron rated it it was astonishing

Recommends it for: all architects and compages students

Recommended to Ron by: arthur jones

what more can exist said? a font of erudition, wit and passionate, professorial/professional scholarship.

Jan 31, 2009 Jasonarasim rated it it was amazing

This book is bright - the is not but it's by an architect so cut him some slack. This volume is brilliant - the is not but information technology's by an builder and then cut him some slack. ...more

I've never enjoyed an architectural book like this one before. I've never enjoyed an architectural book like this ane before. ...more

Jan 25, 2017 Johann rated it actually liked it

Essential read on post modernism for any builder. Puts to words many ideas that are difficult to articulate myself.

Nov 27, 2018 Lee Knight rated it information technology was amazing

The architectural argument/narratives rages on. A good volume for planners to read.

Should re-read. A tremendous amount of details and constant references. Has to be read slowly.

I'd read bits of Learning from Las Vegas before, but this was my first read of a total volume of Robert Venturi's, which I felt more of an obligation to read than a desire. Mostly considering I knew of Venturi's importance, despite the fact that I really, really, really hate his buildings.

The affair is, though, his theories are solid, and what they are is a reaction against a peculiarly rigid, po-faced, and glum version of modernism. And those complexities and contradictions really are interesting, an

I'd read bits of Learning from Las Vegas before, simply this was my first read of a full book of Robert Venturi's, which I felt more of an obligation to read than a desire. Mostly because I knew of Venturi's importance, despite the fact that I really, actually, actually detest his buildings.

The matter is, though, his theories are solid, and what they are is a reaction against a particularly rigid, po-faced, and glum version of modernism. And those complexities and contradictions really are interesting, and do make for interesting structures, and this was an important thing to say back in 1966.

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Robert Charles Venturi, Jr. is an American builder, founding master of the firm Venturi, Scott Brownish and Associates, and 1 of the major architectural figures in the twentieth century. Together with his wife and partner, Denise Scott Brown, he helped to shape the way that architects, planners and students experience and think about compages and the American built environment. Their build Robert Charles Venturi, Jr. is an American architect, founding principal of the firm Venturi, Scott Brown and Assembly, and one of the major architectural figures in the twentieth century. Together with his wife and partner, Denise Scott Brownish, he helped to shape the way that architects, planners and students experience and think about architecture and the American built surroundings. Their buildings, planning, theoretical writings and educational activity have contributed to the expansion of discourse about compages. Venturi was awarded the Pritzker Prize in Architecture in 1991; the prize was awarded to him lone despite a request to include his equal partner Denise Scott Brown. Equally of 2013 a group of women architects is attempting to go her name added retroactively to the prize.[1][ii] He is also known for coining the maxim "Less is a diameter" a postmodern antitoxin to Mies van der Rohe's famous modernist dictum "Less is more". Venturi lives in Philadelphia with Denise Scott Brownish. ...more

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