Nikolaus Pevsner A History Of Building Types PDFl
Nikolaus Pevsner A History Of Building Types PDF
If you are interested in architecture, you may have heard of Nikolaus Pevsner, a German-born British art historian who wrote extensively on the history and theory of architecture. One of his most influential works is A History Of Building Types, a book that explores the origins, development, analysis and interpretation of various architectural forms. In this article, we will give you an overview of this book and explain why it is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the diversity and complexity of architecture.
Introduction
Who was Nikolaus Pevsner?
Nikolaus Pevsner (1902-1983) was a prominent scholar who contributed to the fields of art history, architectural history and cultural studies. He was born in Leipzig, Germany, and studied at the universities of Leipzig, Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt. He became a lecturer at the University of Göttingen in 1929, where he specialized in medieval and Renaissance art. He also wrote several books on German art and architecture, such as Pioneers of the Modern Movement (1936) and An Outline of European Architecture (1943).
In 1933, he fled Nazi Germany and moved to England, where he became a British citizen in 1946. He worked as a professor at various institutions, such as the University of London, the Courtauld Institute of Art and Birkbeck College. He also became the editor of The Pelican History of Art series, a comprehensive survey of world art from prehistoric times to the present day. He wrote 46 volumes for this series, covering topics such as Romanesque art, Gothic art, Baroque art and Victorian art.
One of his most ambitious projects was The Buildings of England, a series of county-by-county guides to the architecture of England. He started this project in 1951 and completed it in 1974, producing 46 volumes that described over 20,000 buildings. He also wrote similar guides for Scotland, Wales and Ireland. These books are widely regarded as authoritative references for architectural historians and enthusiasts.
What is A History Of Building Types?
A History Of Building Types is a book that Pevsner wrote in 1976 as part of The A.W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts series. It was based on a series of lectures that he delivered at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. in 1970. The book consists of nine chapters that examine nine major building types: houses, palaces, government buildings, town halls, markets and exchanges, banks, museums, libraries and churches.
In each chapter, Pevsner traces the historical origins and development of each building type from ancient times to the modern era. He analyzes how each building type reflects the social, political, economic and cultural contexts in which it was created. He also compares and contrasts different examples of each building type from different countries and periods. He illustrates his arguments with numerous photographs and drawings that show the plans, elevations and details of various buildings.
Why is this book important for architecture students and enthusiasts?
A History Of Building Types is a book that offers a comprehensive and comparative perspective on the history and theory of architecture. It shows how architecture is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also a matter of function, meaning and expression. It demonstrates how architecture responds to and shapes the needs and aspirations of human societies. It reveals how architecture is influenced by and influences other forms of art, such as painting, sculpture and literature. It also challenges some of the conventional assumptions and classifications of architectural history, such as the distinction between styles, periods and regions.
A History Of Building Types is a book that can enrich your understanding and appreciation of architecture. It can help you to recognize and appreciate the diversity and complexity of architectural forms. It can also inspire you to explore and discover more examples of architectural excellence in your own surroundings or in other parts of the world.
Main Body
The Origins and Development of Building Types
The Concept of Building Types
What is a building type? Pevsner defines it as \"a group of buildings which have certain characteristics in common, either because they serve the same purpose or because they are shaped by the same idea\" (Pevsner 1976, p. 1). He argues that building types are not natural or inevitable categories, but rather human constructs that emerge from specific historical circumstances. He also acknowledges that building types are not fixed or static, but rather dynamic and evolving, as they adapt to changing conditions and demands.
Pevsner distinguishes between two kinds of building types: functional types and symbolic types. Functional types are those that are determined by their practical use, such as houses, markets, banks or libraries. Symbolic types are those that are determined by their ideological or aesthetic significance, such as palaces, churches or museums. He notes that some building types can be both functional and symbolic, such as town halls or government buildings. He also notes that some building types can overlap or merge with each other, such as palaces and museums or libraries and churches.
The Classification of Building Types
How can we classify building types? Pevsner proposes a threefold classification based on three criteria: origin, function and form. He explains that origin refers to the historical source or model of a building type, such as ancient Greece, medieval Europe or Renaissance Italy. Function refers to the practical purpose or role of a building type, such as dwelling, trading, governing or worshipping. Form refers to the physical shape or appearance of a building type, such as rectangular, circular, domed or spired.
Pevsner illustrates his classification with a table that shows the nine building types he discusses in his book. He assigns each building type a letter (A to I) and a number (1 to 3) that indicate its origin and function respectively. He also adds a symbol (+ or -) that indicates its form relative to its function. For example, A1+ means a house that originated in ancient Greece and has a form that is more elaborate than its function requires. I3- means a church that originated in modern times and has a form that is less expressive than its function demands.
Origin Function Form --- --- --- Ancient Dwelling A1+ Medieval Palace B2+ Renaissance Government C3+ Modern Town Hall D3- Ancient Market/Exchange E1- Medieval Bank F2- Renaissance Museum G3+ Modern Library H3- Ancient Church I1+ Medieval Church I2+ Renaissance Church I3+ Modern Church I3- The Evolution of Building Types
How do building types evolve over time? Pevsner suggests that there are four main factors that influence the evolution of building types: technology, economy, society and culture. He explains that technology affects the materials, methods and techniques that are available for constructing buildings. Economy affects the resources, costs and benefits that are involved in producing buildings. Society affects the needs, demands and expectations that are expressed by the users and patrons of buildings. Culture affects the values, beliefs and tastes that are reflected by the designers and critics of buildings.
The Analysis and Interpretation of Building Types
The Methodology of Pevsner
How does Pevsner analyze and interpret building types? Pevsner adopts a comparative and historical approach that aims to identify the essential characteristics and meanings of each building type. He compares different examples of the same building type from different periods and places, highlighting their similarities and differences. He also traces the historical origins and development of each building type, explaining how they emerged, evolved and declined. He uses various sources of evidence, such as historical documents, archaeological findings, artistic representations and personal observations.
Pevsner also applies a critical and evaluative perspective that aims to assess the quality and significance of each building type. He evaluates different examples of the same building type according to various criteria, such as functionality, aesthetics, symbolism and originality. He also considers the impact and influence of each building type on the history and theory of architecture, as well as on the wider culture and society. He expresses his opinions and judgments clearly and convincingly, using persuasive arguments and examples.
The Examples of Pevsner
What are some of the examples that Pevsner uses to illustrate his analysis and interpretation of building types? Pevsner selects a wide range of examples from different countries and periods, covering both well-known and lesser-known buildings. He also chooses examples that represent different aspects and variations of each building type, such as size, shape, style, function and meaning. Here are some of the examples that he discusses in his book:
Houses: Pevsner compares the Greek house with its simple plan and courtyard, the Roman house with its complex layout and atrium, the medieval house with its timber frame and gable roof, the Renaissance house with its symmetrical facade and loggia, the Baroque house with its curved walls and grand staircase, the Georgian house with its brickwork and sash windows, the Victorian house with its ornamentation and bay windows, the Modernist house with its flat roof and glass walls.
Palaces: Pevsner contrasts the Egyptian palace with its axial arrangement and colonnades, the Assyrian palace with its fortified enclosure and reliefs, the Persian palace with its elevated platform and gardens, the Chinese palace with its modular structure and roofs, the Indian palace with its domes and pavilions, the Byzantine palace with its mosaic decoration and vaults, the Islamic palace with its arcades and courtyards, the Gothic palace with its pointed arches and tracery.
Government buildings: Pevsner examines the Greek temple with its columns and pediments, the Roman basilica with its nave and apse, the medieval castle with its towers and battlements, the Renaissance palace with its rustication and cornices, the Baroque palace with its pilasters and balustrades, the Neoclassical palace with its porticoes and pediments, the Gothic Revival parliament with its spires and pinnacles, the Modernist parliament with its cubes and cylinders.
Town halls: Pevsner explores the Roman forum with its colonnades and statues, the medieval hall with its hammer-beam roof and fireplace, the Renaissance hall with its coffered ceiling and frescoes, the Baroque hall with its elliptical plan and dome, the Neoclassical hall with its rectangular plan and cupola, the Art Nouveau hall with its organic forms and stained glass, the Art Deco hall with its geometric shapes and metalwork, the Brutalist hall with its concrete slabs and ramps.
Markets/Exchanges: Pevsner investigates the Greek agora with its stoas and shops, the Roman macellum with its circular plan and niches, the medieval market with its arcades and stalls, the Renaissance exchange with its cross plan and lantern, the Baroque exchange with its oval plan and dome, the Neoclassical exchange with its hexagonal plan and portico, the Iron Age exchange with its glass roof and iron columns, the Modernist exchange with its steel frame and curtain wall.
Banks: Pevsner studies the medieval bank with its vaulted cellar and counter, the Renaissance bank with its arched windows and pilasters, the Baroque bank with its curved facade and pediment, the Neoclassical bank with its temple front and columns, the Beaux-Arts bank with its monumental scale and sculptures, the Art Deco bank with its streamlined form and motifs, the International Style bank with its boxy shape and grid, the Postmodern bank with its eclectic style and references.
Museums: Pevsner reviews the Renaissance museum with its U-shaped plan and courtyard, the Baroque museum with its H-shaped plan and gallery, the Neoclassical museum with its E-shaped plan and rotunda, the Victorian museum with its L-shaped plan and hall, the Art Nouveau museum with its organic plan and facade, the Modernist museum with its free plan and ramp, the Brutalist museum with its irregular plan and mass, the Deconstructivist museum with its fragmented plan and form.
Libraries: Pevsner surveys the Roman library with its rectangular plan and niches, the medieval library with its cloistered plan and lecterns, the Renaissance library with its longitudinal plan and shelves, the Baroque library with its oval plan and frescoes, the Neoclassical library with its circular plan and dome, the Gothic Revival library with its cruciform plan and vaults, the Modernist library with its functional plan and stacks, the Postmodern library with its symbolic plan and signs.
Churches: Pevsner analyzes the Early Christian basilica with its nave and apse, the Romanesque church with its transept and tower, the Gothic church with its choir and spire, the Renaissance church with its dome and facade, the Baroque church with its nave and altar, the Rococo church with its oval and stucco, the Neoclassical church with its portico and pediment, the Modernist church with its shell and light.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In this article, we have given you an overview of Nikolaus Pevsner's A History Of Building Types, a book that explores the origins, development, analysis and interpretation of nine major building types: houses, palaces, government buildings, town halls, markets/exchanges, banks, museums, libraries and churches. We have explained who Nikolaus Pevsner was and why his book is important for architecture students and enthusiasts. We have also presented his classification, methodology and examples of building types.
Implications and recommendations
A History Of Building Types is a book that has many implications and recommendations for anyone who wants to learn more about architecture. It shows how architecture is a rich and diverse field that encompasses various forms, functions and meanings. It also shows how architecture is a dynamic and evolving field that responds to and shapes the changing conditions and demands of human societies. It also shows how architecture is a critical and evaluative field that requires careful analysis and interpretation of different examples and criteria.
We recommend that you read A History Of Building Types in full to gain a deeper and broader understanding of the history and theory of architecture. We also recommend that you use A History Of Building Types as a reference and guide for your own exploration and discovery of architectural excellence in your own surroundings or in other parts of the world. We also recommend that you use A History Of Building Types as a source of inspiration and challenge for your own creation and appreciation of architectural excellence in your own projects or in other people's projects.
Final remarks
A History Of Building Types is a book that is both informative and engaging. It is written in a clear and concise style that makes it easy to follow and understand. It is also written in a lively and entertaining style that makes it enjoyable to read and appreciate. It is a book that can appeal to both beginners and experts in architecture, as well as to anyone who has an interest or curiosity in architecture.
We hope that this article has given you a useful introduction to A History Of Building Types and has encouraged you to read it further. We also hope that this article has inspired you to explore more examples of building types in your own surroundings or in other parts of the world. We also hope that this article has challenged you to create more examples of building types in your own projects or in other people's projects.
FAQs
Q: Where can I find A History Of Building Types PDF? A: You can find A History Of Building Types PDF online on various websites, such as Archive.org, Scribd.com or Academia.edu. You can also find A History Of Building Types PDF in various libraries, such as public libraries or university libraries.
Q: Who is the target audience of A History Of Building Types? Q: Who is the target audience of A History Of Building Types? A: A History Of Building Types is a book that can appeal to anyone who has an interest or curiosity in architecture, regardless of their level of knowledge or experience. It can be useful for architecture students who want to learn more about the history and theory of architecture. It can also be helpful for architecture enthusiasts who want to explore more examples of architectural excellence. It can also be enjoyable for general readers who want to appreciate more aspects of architecture.
Q: What are the main strengths and weaknesses of A History Of Building Types? A: A History Of Building Types is a book that has many strengths and weaknesses. Some of the strengths are: it covers a wide range of building types from different periods and places; it adopts a comparative and historical approach that reveals the diversity and complexity of architecture; it applies a critical and evaluative perspective that assesses the quality and significance of architecture; it uses various sources of evidence and examples to support its arguments and opinions; it is written in a clear and concise style that makes it easy to follow and understand; it is written in a lively and entertaining style that makes it enjoyable to read and appreciate.
Some of the weaknesses are: it does not cover all possible building types or examples; it may be biased or subjective in some of its analysis and interpretation; it may be outdated or inaccurate in some of its information or references; it may be too dense or technical for some readers; it may be too superficial or simplistic for some readers.
Q: How can I apply the knowledge and skills I learned from A History Of Building Types to my own projects or studies? A: You can apply the knowledge and skills you learned from A History Of Building Types to your own projects or studies in various ways. For example, you can use A History Of Building Types as a reference and guide for your own exploration and discovery of architectural excellence in your own surroundings or in other parts of the world. You can also use A History Of Building Types as a source of inspiration and challenge for your own creation and appreciation of architectural excellence in your own projects or in other people's projects. You can also use A History Of Building Types as a tool for analysis and interpretation of different examples and criteria of architectural excellence.
Q: What are some other books or resources that are similar or complementary to A History Of Building Types? A: There are many other books or resources that are similar or complementary to A History Of Building Types. Some of them are: The Penguin Dictionary of Architecture by John Fleming, Hugh Honour and Nikolaus Pevsner; A Global History of Architecture by Francis D.K. Ching, Mark M. Jarzombek and Vikramaditya Prakash; The Story of Architecture by Patrick Nuttgens; The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton; The Language of Architecture by Andrea Simitch and Val Warke.
Q: How can I contact Nikolaus Pevsner or his publisher if I have any questions or feedback about A History Of