Overview

The pioneering British modernist architect Richard Seifert was one of the most successful and influential architects of his generation. During the 1960s and ’70s he changed the face and fabric of London with a powerful series of highly visible and uncompromising brutalist buildings, including – most famously - Centre Point, the Nat West Tower and King’s Reach Tower. Seifert is often described as a modernist version of Christopher Wren in terms of his impact upon the capital, building hundreds of towers, office buildings and hotels in London but also working in other parts of the UK and internationally. An enigmatic and determined figure, Seifert achieved much in his lifetime yet has remained a controversial and divisive figure due to his unwavering commitment to modernism. Both Seifert and his buildings have been attacked, with his work described as ‘notorious’ for its brutalist aesthetic and an arguable lack of contextuality. Yet in recent years there has been a noticeable upsurge of interest in brutalist architecture in general along with the beginnings of a re-evaluation of Seifert’s extraordinary contribution to mid-century architecture and design: a number of buildings by Seifert and his associates have been listed in recognition of their architectural importance. Beautifully illustrated, this book records, analyses and celebrates a considered selection of Seifert’s buildings, including Centre Point, the Nat West and King's Reach Towers, Space House, the Euston Station Buildings, the Park Lane Tower Hotel, Drapers Gardens, the International Press Centre, all in London, Wembley Conference Centre and Sussex Heights in Brighton, within the most extensive survey of his work to date.

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9781848223509

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Reviews

'Dominic Bradbury’s new architecture book is the first major treatment of the life and work of an architect who still leaves a major legacy.' - Wallpaper* 'the book shows a keen awareness of recent conservation battles over Seifert buildings. It will also no doubt help solidify Seifert’s reputation' - C20 magazine 'Seifert's greatest works were sculptural, if controversial, additions to the London skyline. Centre Point... never quite rose to the icon status grated to works by Wren, Eric Bedford or Norman Foster. Yet it is a building that has dated well, standing proud amid the sunken abscess of development at Tottenham Court Road, the drooping fishnet of its façade clean and creamy thanks to the use of Portland stone in the concrete mix.' - Apollo magazine

'Dominic Bradbury's new architecture book is the first major treatment of the life and work of an architect who still leaves a major legacy.' - Wallpaper* 'the book shows a keen awareness of recent conservation battles over Seifert buildings. It will also no doubt help solidify Seifert's reputation' - C20 magazine 'Seifert's greatest works were sculptural, if controversial, additions to the London skyline. Centre Point... never quite rose to the icon status grated to works by Wren, Eric Bedford or Norman Foster. Yet it is a building that has dated well, standing proud amid the sunken abscess of development at Tottenham Court Road, the drooping fishnet of its facade clean and creamy thanks to the use of Portland stone in the concrete mix.' - Apollo magazine

Author Information

Writer and journalist Dominic Bradbury has written more than a dozen books on design, architecture and interiors, including Rabih Hage: Quiet Architecture (Lund Humphries, 2018) and the best-selling Mid-Century Modern Complete (2014). Bradbury also works for many leading newspapers and magazines around the world, including The Financial Times, The Times, the Daily Telegraph, World of Interiors, House & Garden and Vogue Living.

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