Classical Architecture : Language, variety and adaptability

Author : James Stevens Curl

Classical architecture continues to be widely practised today, and this book describes and demonstrates the fundamental principles from its origins in Antiquity and continuous development during the Renaissance, the Baroque and Rococo phases, Neo-Classicism, and survival in various forms into the current century. Heavily illustrated with colour and black and white photography, a particular strength of the book is the many detailed and annotated line drawings for which the author is well-known, and a glossary which serves as a dictionary of Classical architecture in itself. The author celebrates the richness of Classical architectural vocabulary, grammar and language, and demonstrates the huge range of themes and motifs found in the subject. The book provides a basis for understanding this rich source of architectural design which has been at the core of Western culture for over 2500 years and continues to be widely studied and practised worldwide. For practicing architects, planners and students, this is the benchmark book for understanding the Classical tradition in architecture and landscape.

Previous editions of this book were described as ‘the best introduction to Classical architecture’  which ‘should be in every architect’s library’. All those concerned with the built environment, and who wish to look at buildings with an informed eye, will find between its covers a rich vein of material, and the basis for a real understanding of this fertile source of architectural design. The author demonstrares with recent examples how Classical principles remain relevant and are widely followed today.

Contents

Introduction

The Orders of Architecture and their Application

The Graeco-Roman Roots of Classical Architecture

The Renasissance Period

Classical Variations: Baroque, Rococo, Palladianism and After

Neo-Classicism and After

Aspects of a Continuing Classicism

Select Glossary of Terms

Select Bibliography

Index

Publication – January 2025

272 pages, 278 x 217 mm, with 375 illustrations in monochrome and 90 in colour

ISBN 978-1-7398229-5-8 soft cover £40, ($60)

ISBN 978-1-7398229-2-7 hard cover £90, ($135)

ISBN 978-1-7385400-2-0 PDF ebook £19.99 ($29.99)