Overview
When Rudolph Wittkower's Architectural Principles in the Age of Humanism was published fifty years ago, proportion was one of the central issues in architectural debate. Since then it has fallen out of favour to the extent that it no longer has a place on most architectural syllabuses and the subject is surrounded by an aura of mystery. This original new book starts by asking the question: how did this come about? Richard Padovan starts Proportion by responding to the theories of Wittkower and explaining the theories of 'abstraction' and 'empathy'. He moves on to an orginal interpretation and exposition of the mathematics of proportion. The main body of the text traces the interplay of abstraction and empathy though the history of science, philosophy and architecture from the early Greeks through to the two early twentieth-century architects who made proportion the focus of their work: Le Corbusier and Van der Laan. The book includes new proportional analysis of key buildings. Finally, the author reflects on the present and future role of proportion in architecture.
Full Product Details
Author: Richard Padovan
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint: Spon Press
Dimensions:
Width: 18.90cm
, Height: 1.90cm
, Length: 24.60cm
Weight: 0.800kg
ISBN: 9780419227809
ISBN 10: 0419227806
Pages: 402
Publication Date: 09 September 1999
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
General/trade
,
Undergraduate
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.
Reviews
Padovan's important new book surveys 25 centuries of theoretical concern for proportion in architecture in relationship to philosophy and science. - Choice Padovan had much to offer all architects, not only in respect of what they design but also of how they see the world as a whole. And that is quite and achievement Architectural Review.
Padovan's important new book surveys 25 centuries of theoretical concern for proportion in architecture in relationship to philosophy and science. <br>- Choice <br> Padovan had much to offer all architects, not only in respect of what they design but also of how they see the world as a whole. And that is quite and achievement Architectural Review. <br>
'A highly concise guide to the meaning of proportional systems from Plato to modern times...Padovan has much to offer all architects, not only in respect of what they design, but also of how they see the world as a whole.' - Architectural Review 'There is much to enjoy in this book, most particularly the comprehensive and accessible account which is given of the philosophy, mathematics and practical application of the use of mathematical proportion during the various ages of classicism.' - The Journal of Architecture '...rich, clear and memorable...Padovan takes us on a fascinating journey through Western Civilisation, from Pythagoras onwards to today, to meet the scientists, philosophers and architects - not forgetting the historians and commentators - who have contributed to mankind's beliefs about proportional ordering.' - Architects Journal 'Padovan presents an eminently readable review of the entire literature of philosophy and geometry as it relates to architecture.' - Architectural Science Review
