This book tracks the development of Marcel Breuer's aesthetic clash
between uniformity and singularity through the detailed examination of
his seminal buildings. Each chapter examines a specific building and
puts into context Breuer's other work and the contemporary
movements/architects of the post-war era such as Surrealism, Brutalism
and structural expressionism. The buildings examined include the UNESCO
Headquarters in Paris, France, of 1958; the IBM Research Center in Le
Gaude, France, of 1962; the Annunciation Priory in Bismark, North
Dakota, of 1963; and the Atlanta Central Library of 1980.
Marcel Breuer's approach to design was inspired by the Spanish phrase,
sol y sombra (sun and shadow). Sun and shadow meant for Breuer that a
juxtaposition of contrasts was necessary; light glass walls and heavy
concrete, masses lifted over voids, and serial precast construction
resting on sculptural columns became hallmarks of Breuer's buildings. By
creating an architecture of juxtaposition, Breuer's work can be
interpreted as a surrealist recontre, as fueling a new architectural
condition.
A critical evaluation of Marcel Breuer's work, this book is written for
graduate students, researchers, and academics interested in his work and
how it shaped the architecture of the post-war era.