The Mathematics of the Ideal Villa and Other Essays

This collection of an important architectural theorist's essays considers and compares designs by Palladio and Le Corbusier, discusses mannerism and modern architecture, architectural vocabulary in the 19th century, the architecture of Chicago, neoclassicism and modern architecture, and the architecture of utopia.Anyone who wants a record of Colin Rowe's published thoughts on architecture of the last thirty years, had better borrow, beg or steal this book.—Architectural Association Quarterly—

In these essays Rowe makes the history of ideas into a dramatic theatre and he prods the polemics, theories, and orthodox histories of modern architecture onto its stage. Here they're launched on clashing courses and their irresoluble conflicts played out among the set pieces of the modern movement.

—Journal of Architectural Education—