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In the west coast port city of Gothenburg, Sweden, the architect Gunnar Asplund built a modest extension to an old courthouse on the main square (1934 36). Judged today to be one of the finest works of modern architecture, the courthouse extension was immediately the object of a negative newspaper campaign led by one of the most noted editors of the day, Torgny Segerstedt. Famous for his determined opposition to National Socialism, he also took a principled stand against the undermining of urban tradition in Gothenburg. Gothenburg s problems with modern public architecture, though clamorous and publicized throughout Sweden, were by no means unique. In Gunnar Asplund s Gothenburg, Nicholas Adams places Asplund s building in the wider context of public architecture between the wars, setting the originality and sensitivity of Asplund s conception against the political and architectural struggles of the 1930s. Today, looking at the building in the broadest of contexts, we can appreciate the richness of this exquisite work of architecture. This book recaptures the complex magic of its creation and the fascinating controversy of its completed form.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"This brilliant book offers a unique insight into one of the most cherished models of modern monumentality: the Gothenburg Courthouse extension, designed by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund and completed in 1936. Setting his subject in an international perspective, Nicholas Adams carefully addresses questions on modern law and modern architecture, reaching far beyond the actual case. Through his inclusively contextual approach, we learn that the introduction of modernism in public architecture was a difficult task, operating on different levels of a democratic society through the interplay of architect, commissioner, and--not least--public opinion."
--Anders Bergstrom, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm"
"In his penetrating and inspiring study, Nicholas Adams makes a contested provincial Swedish masterpiece the focus of a wide architectural and cultural context. He reveals the complexity of progressive modernity in relation to public monumental space, traditions, and institutional authority, viewing Asplund's courthouse extension as both expression and functional scenography. His book adds substantially to Swedish architectural historiography and to the understanding of the international scene and their interrelationship."
--Johan Martelius, co-author of The Complete Guide to Architecture in Stockholm"
In his penetrating and inspiring study, Nicholas Adams makes a contested provincial Swedish masterpiece the focus of a wide architectural and cultural context. He reveals the complexity of progressive modernity in relation to public monumental space, traditions, and institutional authority, viewing Asplund s courthouse extension as both expression and functional scenography. His book adds substantially to Swedish architectural historiography and to the understanding of the international scene and their interrelationship. Johan Martelius, co-author of The Complete Guide to Architecture in Stockholm"
This brilliant book offers a unique insight into one of the most cherished models of modern monumentality: the Gothenburg Courthouse extension, designed by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund and completed in 1936. Setting his subject in an international perspective, Nicholas Adams carefully addresses questions on modern law and modern architecture, reaching far beyond the actual case. Through his inclusively contextual approach, we learn that the introduction of modernism in public architecture was a difficult task, operating on different levels of a democratic society through the interplay of architect, commissioner, and not least public opinion. Anders Bergstrom, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm"
About the Author:
--Anders Bergstrom, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm"
"In his penetrating and inspiring study, Nicholas Adams makes a contested provincial Swedish masterpiece the focus of a wide architectural and cultural context. He reveals the complexity of progressive modernity in relation to public monumental space, traditions, and institutional authority, viewing Asplund's courthouse extension as both expression and functional scenography. His book adds substantially to Swedish architectural historiography and to the understanding of the international scene and their interrelationship."
--Johan Martelius, co-author of The Complete Guide to Architecture in Stockholm"
In his penetrating and inspiring study, Nicholas Adams makes a contested provincial Swedish masterpiece the focus of a wide architectural and cultural context. He reveals the complexity of progressive modernity in relation to public monumental space, traditions, and institutional authority, viewing Asplund s courthouse extension as both expression and functional scenography. His book adds substantially to Swedish architectural historiography and to the understanding of the international scene and their interrelationship. Johan Martelius, co-author of The Complete Guide to Architecture in Stockholm"
This brilliant book offers a unique insight into one of the most cherished models of modern monumentality: the Gothenburg Courthouse extension, designed by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund and completed in 1936. Setting his subject in an international perspective, Nicholas Adams carefully addresses questions on modern law and modern architecture, reaching far beyond the actual case. Through his inclusively contextual approach, we learn that the introduction of modernism in public architecture was a difficult task, operating on different levels of a democratic society through the interplay of architect, commissioner, and not least public opinion. Anders Bergstrom, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm"
"This brilliant book offers a unique insight into one of the most cherished models of modern monumentality: the Gothenburg Courthouse extension, designed by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund and completed in 1936. Setting his subject in an international perspective, Nicholas Adams carefully addresses questions on modern law and modern architecture, reaching far beyond the actual case. Through his inclusively contextual approach, we learn that the introduction of modernism in public architecture was a difficult task, operating on different levels of a democratic society through the interplay of architect, commissioner, and--not least--public opinion."
--Anders Bergstrom, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
"In his penetrating and inspiring study, Nicholas Adams makes a contested provincial Swedish masterpiece the focus of a wide architectural and cultural context. He reveals the complexity of progressive modernity in relation to public monumental space, traditions, and institutional authority, viewing Asplund's courthouse extension as both expression and functional scenography. His book adds substantially to Swedish architectural historiography and to the understanding of the international scene and their interrelationship."
--Johan Martelius, co-author of The Complete Guide to Architecture in Stockholm
"Is modernist architecture necessarily 'progressive'? Does a monumental portico always symbolize a rigid social hierarchy? Can traditional form ever be properly incorporated into modern society without appearing as kitsch? These are the questions which animate Nicholas Adams's thorough tale of Gunnar Asplund's extension to Gothenburg's courthouse, a work of modern architecture in a prominent location that attempted to respect the classical language of its host building, and caused a calamitous uproar."
--Douglas Murphy, Times Literary Supplement
In his penetrating and inspiring study, Nicholas Adams makes a contested provincial Swedish masterpiece the focus of a wide architectural and cultural context. He reveals the complexity of progressive modernity in relation to public monumental space, traditions, and institutional authority, viewing Asplund s courthouse extension as both expression and functional scenography. His book adds substantially to Swedish architectural historiography and to the understanding of the international scene and their interrelationship.
Johan Martelius, co-author of The Complete Guide to Architecture in Stockholm"
This brilliant book offers a unique insight into one of the most cherished models of modern monumentality: the Gothenburg Courthouse extension, designed by Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund and completed in 1936. Setting his subject in an international perspective, Nicholas Adams carefully addresses questions on modern law and modern architecture, reaching far beyond the actual case. Through his inclusively contextual approach, we learn that the introduction of modernism in public architecture was a difficult task, operating on different levels of a democratic society through the interplay of architect, commissioner, and not least public opinion.
Anders Bergstrom, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm"
Is modernist architecture necessarily progressive ? Does a monumental portico always symbolize a rigid social hierarchy? Can traditional form ever be properly incorporated into modern society without appearing as kitsch? These are the questions which animate Nicholas Adams s thorough tale of Gunnar Asplund s extension to Gothenburg s courthouse, a work of modern architecture in a prominent location that attempted to respect the classical language of its host building, and caused a calamitous uproar.
Douglas Murphy, Times Literary Supplement"
Nicholas Adams is Mary Conover Mellon Professor in the History of Architecture at Vassar College.
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- PublisherPenn State Press
- Publication date2015
- ISBN 10 0271159847
- ISBN 13 9780271159843
- BindingHardcover
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