Overview

If there is anything to be learned from the history of American architecture it is that it reflects the American adventure in creativity and inventiveness, and the desire to be unique and expressive. In The Groundbreakers, Charles E. Dagit, Jr. examines pioneering American architects and the historical events and trends that gave rise to their achievements. These architects, the caliber of Frank Lloyd Wright and Frank Gehry, created their own distinct, personal styles, and represented the rich heritages of their specific geographical regions. The American pioneer spirit of individualism is alive and well in the architectural world, and like other American innovations, architecture as practiced in the United States is constantly renewing itself and finding new ways to capture the imagination. This book will be of interest to historians, architects, and students in American studies. Illustrations add dimension to the author's observations.

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9781412856140

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What he wanted to achieve in his book was to place each architect richly in his historic moment, so readers would gain a sense of how history shapes the work of even the most original thinkers. . . . Dagit's ideas about creativity, and about architecture are richly imagined and as daring as the man himself. --Olivia Lehman, Main Line Media News In the future, architecture will need to face extraordinary challenges of climate change, the crowding of people, the use, production, and distribution of energy, and the interaction of cultures. The Groundbreakers, by showing us how our country's innovative, daring, entrepreneurial spirit has given birth to and nurtured groundbreaking architects and the treasures of our built environment, helps lead the way to a more focused, thoughtful, and inspired approach to those imperatives. --Peter Q. Bohlin, American Institute of Architects Gold Medal recipient In a time when architecture has become ever more narcissistic and autonomous, Charles reminds us that the best and most unique American architecture is not only deeply embedded in its socio-economic context, but indeed springs from it. This book is a brilliant civic lesson for us all. --Michael Dennis, MIT

In the future, architecture will need to face extraordinary challenges of climate change, the crowding of people, the use, production, and distribution of energy, and the interaction of cultures. The Groundbreakers, by showing us how our country's innovative, daring, entrepreneurial spirit has given birth to and nurtured groundbreaking architects and the treasures of our built environment, helps lead the way to a more focused, thoughtful, and inspired approach to those imperatives. --Peter Q. Bohlin, American Institute of Architects Gold Medal recipient In a time when architecture has become ever more narcissistic and autonomous, Charles reminds us that the best and most unique American architecture is not only deeply embedded in its socio-economic context, but indeed springs from it. This book is a brilliant civic lesson for us all. --Michael Dennis, MIT

Author Information

Charles E. Dagit, Jr. taught at Temple University, USA, the University of Pennsylvania, USA, and Drexel University, USA, and was awarded the American Institute of Architects Pennsylvania's Medal of Distinction. His work has been published in Progressive Architect, Interiors Magazine, and Yale Perspecta.

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