Model Britain: The Architectural Models of Twentieth Century Dreams

Synopsis

Throughout the twentieth century architectural models served as the miniature playgrounds in which the future of Britain’s built environment was imagined, and in drawing from the evidence provided by those models today, this book considers how architects, planners, and civil engineers thought about that future by presenting a history of yesterday’s dreams of tomorrow, told through architectural models.Focused not on the making of architectural models but rather the optimistic and utopian visions they were made to communicate, this book examines the possible futures put forward by 120 models made by Thorp, the oldest and most prolific firm of architectural modelmakers in Britain, in order to reveal a century of evolving ideas about how we might live, work, relax, and move. From depictions of unbuilt city masterplans to those of seemingly ordinary shopping centres and motorways, the models featured trace a progression of the architectural, social, political, technological, and economic influences that shaped the design of Britain’s buildings, transport infrastructure, and its towns and cities during a century of relentless change.Illustrated with over 130 photographs, this book will appeal to academics and historians, as well as anyone with an interest in architectural models and the history of Britain’s twentieth century built environment.

Copyright:

2025

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

ISBN-13:

9781040156872

Related ISBNs:

9781040156865, 9781032715728, 9781032715094, 9781032715711

Publisher:

Taylor & Francis

Date of Addition:

10/22/24

Copyrighted By:

David Lund

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Nonfiction, Art and Architecture, Business and Finance

Submitted By:

Bookshare Staff

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.