The Other Tradition of Modern Architecture: The Uncompleted Project is a
re-edition of an essential work by Colin St John Wilson, architect of
the British Library and one of the most eminent voices in architectural
theory and practice of the last 50 years. Re-edited and re-designed to
Wilson's specifications, and with a new introduction by architect and
writer Ellis Woodman, this indispensable title is here made available to
a new readership. In The Other Tradition St John Wilson sets out to
examine the underlying themes of modern architecture, assessing their
impact, influence, and continuing development. Rather than positioning
Modernism as a completed historical moment that occurred in the past
(and that was formulated in terms of abstract theory and in no way
responding to the historic role of architecture as a practical art and
the unpredictable necessities of life), Wilson argues for a continuing
tradition, an "uncompleted project," sustained against CIAM's rigid
orthodoxy by a "resistance movement" exemplified by architects such as
Alvar Aalto, Hans Scharoun, Hugo Häring and Frank Lloyd Wright. Figures
like Aalto and Scharoun couldn't compete with Le Corbusier's powers on
the soapbox and showed little inclination to do so. In a sense, The
Other Tradition, is the manifesto that these laconic masters never
wrote.
Drawing upon philosophy, history, art and architectural theory, the
story of Modernist architecture is here explored both theoretically and
through comparative case studies. Professor Wilson's original,
insightful and passionate text is accompanied by photographs, plan
drawings, sketches and models that further elucidate his argument. As
important now as it was when first published The Other Tradition of
Modern Architecture: The Uncompleted Project is a handsome re-edition of
a seminal work.
Future Release: In July 2007 Black Dog is publishing Colin St John
Wilson: Buildings and Projects, the definitive monograph on Professor
Colin St John Wilson. This erudite, comprehensive publication spans
projects from throughout his career.
