Architecture and Modernity

Critical theories such as those of the Frankfurt School of the twenties
and thirties gave rise to a complex and sophisticated critique of modernity and
modernism. The history and theory of twentieth-century architecture, which developed
rather independently of this rich tradition, appear naive and unbalanced in
comparison. In this exploration of the relationship between modernity, dwelling, and
architecture, Hilde Heynen attempts to bridge this gap between the discourse of the
modern movement and cultural theories of modernity. On one hand, she discusses
architecture from the perspective of critical theory, and on the other she modifies
positions within critical theory by linking them with architecture. She assesses
architecture as a cultural field that structures daily life and that embodies major
contradictions inherent in modernity, arguing that architecture nonetheless has a
certain capacity to adopt a critical stance vis-à-vis modernity.Besides presenting a
theoretical discussion of the relation between architecture, modernity, and
dwelling, the book provides architectural students with an introduction to the
discourse of critical theory. The subchapters on Walter Benjamin, Ernst Bloch,
Theodor Adorno, and the Venice School (Tafuri, Dal Co, Cacciari) can be studied
independently.
 
In this exploration of the relationship between modernity, dwelling, and
architecture, Hilde Heynen attempts to bridge the gap between the discourse of the
modern movement and cultural theories of modernity. On one hand, she discusses
architecture from the perspective of critical theory, and on the other, she modifies
positions within critical theory by linking them with architecture. She assesses
architecture as a cultural field that structures daily life and that embodies major
contradictions inherent in modernity, arguing that architecture nonetheless has a
certain capacity to adopt a critical stance vis-à-vis modernity.Besides presenting a
theoretical discussion of the relation between architecture, modernity, and
dwelling, the book provides architectural students with an introduction to the
discourse of critical theory. The subchapters on Walter Benjamin, Ernst Bloch,
Theodor Adorno, and the Venice School (Tafuri, Dal Co, Cacciari) can be studied
independently for this purpose.