{"product_id":"what-architecture-is-witold-rybczynski","title":"What Architecture Is – Witold Rybczynski","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat Architecture Is – Witold Rybczynski\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWitty, personal, and engaging, this \u003ci\u003ecri de coeur\u003c\/i\u003e from an esteemed critic takes on the age-old question of what elevates a mere building into an art form\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eWhat is it about architecture that distinguishes it from ordinary building? Frustrated with the many cookie-cutter buildings going up around his home in downtown Philadelphia, eminent architectural historian and critic Witold Rybczynski offers an immersive meditation on the question in this extended essay, an insightful and opinionated reflection on the essential qualities of architecture both historical and modern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003eThe book’s structure pays homage to John Ruskin’s treatise \u003ci\u003eThe Seven Lamps of Architecture\u003c\/i\u003e; here, Rybczynski identifies his own guideposts: \u003ci\u003epast\u003c\/i\u003e, an awareness of ancient and modern architectural heritage; \u003ci\u003eorder\u003c\/i\u003e, what emerges out of a careful plan; \u003ci\u003eornament\u003c\/i\u003e, the addition of decorative elements; \u003ci\u003emeaning\u003c\/i\u003e, how buildings speak; \u003ci\u003ebeauty\u003c\/i\u003e, or aesthetics; \u003ci\u003edrawing\u003c\/i\u003e, as a means to the end; and \u003ci\u003eplace\u003c\/i\u003e, in the sense of both how place influences a structure and how architects create a sense of place. Rybczynski addresses the complicated question of what architecture is through compelling compositions on renowned buildings and designs—Hadrian’s Arch, the Eiffel Tower, the Barcelona Pavilion—alongside examinations of lesser-known structures and charming anecdotes. The book is enlivened by fifty of the author’s black-and-white drawings, adding another personal touch to this captivating book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWitold Rybczynski \u003c\/b\u003eis an architect and emeritus professor of urbanism at the University of Pennsylvania. His books include \u003ci\u003eHome: A Short History of an Idea\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Story of Architecture\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e“One of the best books I have read on architecture for years.”—Simon Heffer, \u003ci\u003eTelegraph\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“This is no technical dry or academic study. Rybczynski takes us not so much through the history of his subject but tries to define what it is, and to indicate what makes some buildings better than others.”—Iwan Hewitt, \u003ci\u003eTelegraph\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Rybczynski’s lifetime of observation and experience gets to the essence of architecture in all its variety.\"—Hugh Pearman, author of \u003ci\u003eAbout Architecture\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"With its clear-headedness, its open-mindedness, and its straightforward personal touch, \u003ci\u003eWhat Architecture Is\u003c\/i\u003e distills the timeless appeal of the most comprehensive, paradoxical, and sociable of the arts.\"—Ingrid Rowland, University of Notre Dame\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor: \u003c\/b\u003eWitold Rybczynski\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Yale University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat: \u003c\/b\u003eHardback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages: \u003c\/b\u003e208\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Lato',sans-serif; color: #333333; background: white;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #333333; background: white;\"\u003e9780300292954\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublication date: \u003c\/b\u003eOctober 2026\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Witold Rybczynski","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59180033540479,"sku":"9780300292954","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0263\/7797\/7910\/files\/9780300292954-WhatArchitectureIS.jpg?v=1794556556","url":"https:\/\/bookshop.rias.org.uk\/products\/what-architecture-is-witold-rybczynski","provider":"RIAS Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}