Architecture and Modern Life - W.R. Lethaby

One of the two launch books for the series is Architecture and Modern Life, a collection of essays by influential architect and educator W.R. Lethaby (1857-1931). Lethaby foreshadows Le Corbusier in these writings which mark a fascinating transitional point between 19th and 20th century architectural thought. Lethaby argues with radical foresight for an 'efficiency style' in architecture, for towns which cultivate vitality and against the science of 'profit grinding and grabbing'. Often eerily foresightful, phrases such as 'there is a culture war going forward' and, 'There is much talk of Housing at the present time but it is a case of much talk and little house' could be out of today's papers. The profound importance of these texts is Lethaby's vision of art and design grounded not in style-novelty or aesthetic theory ('the mystification of architecture') but in 'some reality like health, serviceableness or even perfect cheapness'. "The house of the future will be designed as a ship is designed, as an organism which has to function properly in all its parts. A whole row of ambiguous words have come between us and the immediately given data of architecture. Design is not abstract power exercised by a genius, it is simply the arranging how work shall be well done." - W.R. Lethaby