What We’re Reading: Brick

St Marien, Germany, 2012, Königs Arkitekten. Credit: Christian Richters
Santo Volto, Italy, 2006, Mario Botta. Credit: Enrico Cano
Kantana Film and Animation Institute, Thailand, 2011, Bangkok Project Studio with Boonserm Premthada. Credit: Anurakyoungwachon Pirak

This new illustrated book, published by Phaidon and written by William Hall, looks at one of the world’s most versatile and popular building materials. It showcases brick architecture by some of the most celebrated architects of the 20th century, such as Mies van der Rohe, Alvar Aalto, and of course Frank Lloyd Wright, for whom bricks were integral to his vision of an American vernacular. It also features striking buildings by architects working into this century, such as Frank Gehry, Peter Zumthor and Kazuyo Sejima. An essay by the historian and BBC television presenter Dan Cruickshank sketches the fascinating history of this enduring building material. The author, William Hall, began his career in the office of John Pawson, and now runs his own design practice in London. He is also the author of Concrete, published by Phaidon. For more information visit the Phaidon Store.

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