William J. R. Curtis
Encyclopedia
William J. R. Curtis is an important architectural historian
whose writings have focused on twentieth century architecture
. Curtis seems particularly interested in broadening the "canon" to include a wider range of architects working across the world.
Curtis was educated at the Courtauld Institute of Art
, London (First Class Honors, 1970), and Harvard University
(Ph.D., 1975). He has taught history and theory of architecture in the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Curtis's most important work is Modern Architecture Since 1900, first published in 1982, and now in its third edition (1996). This book won the Alice Davis Hitchcock Medallion of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain
in 1984. The third edition was awarded the architecture book prize of the American Institute of Architects
in 1997. In 2006 the Museum of Finnish Architecture awarded Curtis its Commemoration Medal of Foundation on the occasion of the Museum's 50th Anniversary.
Curtis currently lives in southwestern France.
Architectural History
Architectural History is the main journal of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain .The journal is published each autumn. The architecture of the British Isles is a major theme of the journal, although it includes more general papers on the history of architecture. Member of...
whose writings have focused on twentieth century architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. Curtis seems particularly interested in broadening the "canon" to include a wider range of architects working across the world.
Curtis was educated at the Courtauld Institute of Art
Courtauld Institute of Art
The Courtauld Institute of Art is a self-governing college of the University of London specialising in the study of the history of art. The Courtauld is one of the premier centres for the teaching of art history in the world; it was the only History of Art department in the UK to be awarded a top...
, London (First Class Honors, 1970), and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
(Ph.D., 1975). He has taught history and theory of architecture in the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Curtis's most important work is Modern Architecture Since 1900, first published in 1982, and now in its third edition (1996). This book won the Alice Davis Hitchcock Medallion of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain
Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain
The Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain is a leading society in Great Britain for people interested in the history of architecture.- Purpose :...
in 1984. The third edition was awarded the architecture book prize of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
in 1997. In 2006 the Museum of Finnish Architecture awarded Curtis its Commemoration Medal of Foundation on the occasion of the Museum's 50th Anniversary.
Curtis currently lives in southwestern France.
Writings
- Curtis, William J. R., and Sekler, Eduard F. [1978], Le Corbusier at Work: The Genesis of the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA 1978, ISBN 0674520599
- Curtis, William J. R. [1982], Modern Architecture Since 1900 Phaidon Press, Oxford 1982; Prentice-Hall, Englewood NJ 1982; second edition 1987, third edition Phaidon, Oxford 1996, ISBN 0714835242
- Curtis, William J. R. [1986], Le Corbusier: Ideas and Forms, Phaidon, Oxford 1986, ISBN 0714823872, Rizzoli, New York 1986, ISBN 0847807266
- Curtis, William J. R. [1988], Balkrishna Doshi: An Architecture for India, Rizzoli, New York 1988, ISBN 0847809374
- Curtis, William J. R. [1994], Denys Lasdun: Architecture, City, Landscape, Phaidon Press, London 1994, ISBN 0714828718
- Curtis, William J. R. [2001], Abstractions in Space: Tadao Ando, Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Serra Pulitzer Foundation, St. Louis
- Curtis, William J. R. [2004], Teodoro Gonzalez de Leon: Obra Completa/Complete Works, Arquine, Reverte, Mexico
- Curtis, William J. R. [2004], Barcelona 1992-2004, Gustavo Gili, Barcelona
- Curtis, William J. R. [2004], RCR Aranda, Pigem, Vilalta Arquitectes, Gustavo Gili, Barcelona.