Denys Lasdun

by Curtis, William

Denys Lasdun is a major British architect of the twentieth century whose work has long since achieved international recognition. In this first, in-depth study to place his contribution in a historical perspective. William Curtis delves into the ideas and guiding myths behind Lasdun's forms and shows how his architecture fits into both the British and international modern movements, and how it is indebted to classical and earlier traditions. The study is based upon exhaustive study of primary documentary sources and over twenty years of dialogue with the architect. It sheds light on the meaning of such key works as the Bethnal Green housing clusters (1952-4), the Royal College of Physicians (1959), the University of East Anglia (1962), the European Investment Bank, Luxembourg (1973) and the Hurva Synagogue project for Jerusalem (1979). Two chapters are devoted to the social history and design process of the National Theatre, first for the unbuilt project for a National Theatre and Opera