'Learning from Las Vegas' challenges traditional architectural aesthetics by celebrating the flamboyant and often dismissed design of Las Vegas. Venturi, Scott Brown, and Izenour advocate for a broader understanding of what constitutes meaningful architecture, emphasizing the role of commercial and vernacular styles. The revised edition offers fresh insights and critiques, inviting readers to reconsider the relationship between culture, space, and identity. With vibrant illustrations and compelling arguments, the authors explore how the 'Vegas ethos' can inform contemporary design. This provocative work not only reshapes architectural theory but also compels us to question our preconceptions about beauty and functionality in the built environment.
By Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, Steven Izenour
Published: 1977
""The architecture of Las Vegas suggests that we can learn more from the everyday, the banal, and the symbols of popular culture than from the grand ideals of historical architecture.""
Learning from Las Vegas created a healthy controversy on its appearance in 1972, calling for architects to be more receptive to the tastes and values of "common" people and less immodest in their erections of "heroic," self-aggrandizing monuments. This revision includes the full texts of Part I of the original, on the Las Vegas strip, and Part II, "Ugly and Ordinary Architecture, or the Decorated Shed," a generalization from the findings of the first part on symbolism in architecture and the iconography of urban sprawl. (The final part of the first edition, on the architectural work of the firm Venturi and Rauch, is not included in the revision.) The new paperback edition has a smaller format, fewer pictures, and a considerably lower price than the original. There are an added preface by Scott Brown and a bibliography of writings by the members of Venturi and Rauch and about the firm's work.
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“"The architecture of Las Vegas suggests that we can learn more from the everyday, the banal, and the symbols of popular culture than from the grand ideals of historical architecture."”
Learning from Las Vegas, revised edition
By Robert Venturi, Denise Scott Brown, Steven Izenour
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Robert Venturi (1925-2018) was a prominent American architect and a seminal figure in the field of postmodern architecture. He is best known for his influential writings and designs that challenge the principles of modernism. Notable works include "Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture," which advocates for a richer, more eclectic approach to design, and "Learning from Las Vegas," co-authored with Denise Scott Brown and Steven Izenour, which critiques modernist doctrines and celebrates the symbolism of the urban landscape. Venturi's writing style is characterized by its conversational tone and a deep engagement with architectural theory and philosophy, making his ideas accessible to both architects and the general public.
Denise Scott Brown is a prominent architect, planner, and urban designer known for her influential contributions to the fields of architecture and urbanism. Along with her husband, Robert Venturi, she co-founded the architectural firm Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates. Scott Brown's notable works include the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery in London and the design of the Seattle Art Museum. Her writing often reflects a deep engagement with social context and cultural meaning, blending theory with practical application. She is recognized for her commitment to elevating the role of women in architecture and for her advocacy for a more inclusive approach to design.
Steven Izenour is an accomplished author known for his insightful contributions to the world of architecture and design. He is particularly well-regarded for his notable work, 'The Great American School,' which combines his expertise in educational architecture with a profound understanding of how space influences learning environments. Izenour's writing style is characterized by clear, engaging prose that breaks down complex ideas into accessible concepts, often incorporating illustrations and examples to enhance understanding. His works reflect a deep appreciation for the interplay between architecture and its societal impacts, making his insights valuable for both professionals and general readers.
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