Product Description

The Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture, Travel Edition presents all of the best works of architecture completed in the last five years in an ultra-convenient mini-format, perfect for the holiday or business traveller. Each of the 1,052 projects from the comprehensive edition are included with a single image per building and a short text to help the traveller recognise it. The project entry gives the name of each building and its architect, the location, and the address, if visitable, as well as the telephone number, where appropriate. There is also a system to indicate which projects are open to the public. In addition to the forty two regional maps from the comprehensive edition, there are an additional 27 new city maps which locate the buildings in more built up areas The book provides a unique opportunity to visit 1,052 works of contemporary architecture in all parts of the world, from the Arctic Circle to the African deserts and beyond. The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture, Travel Edition is an essential companion on the travels of all those interested in gaining a first hand understanding of contemporary architecture around the world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #117696 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Turtleback
• 384 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Architecture buffs no longer have to lug around the 17-pound original edition of the Atlas when they travel; this flex-bound, 41/4 x 61/4 travel edition contains short profiles of the same 1,052 buildings as the original. Every entry (there are about three per page) includes a building photo, a brief description and information on location and about whether the site can be viewed on the interior, exterior or both. The color photographs, if a bit small, are impressive, and the accompanying prose is informative. There's a substantial number of entries on closed, private residences-prepare to peer over the gates if visiting. The majority of the buildings, like the majority of major contemporary architectural projects, are in Europe, but this beautiful guide takes readers from Boston to Botswana-without necessarily having to get on a plane.
Copyright Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

So Many Buildings In Such A Little Book
When the original Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture was released in My 2004, several reviews were more enticed with the size of the tome in contrast to its contents. Frankly, I was put off by the price tag (albeit well deserved).

However, the recently released Travel Edition of the tome has become one of the essential resources of my library.

First, don't be put off of the fact that the softcover book is referred to as a Travel Edition as it contains a wealth of projects (subdivided by continents then countries). For each project there is a single project photo, project address, and the project architect. With each building a sentence or two states the significance of the project to 'Contemporary World Architecture' (an overly broad subject in itself).

Second, there is a grand diversity to the projects profiled in the Travel Edition in terms of project types and locations. I haven't come across another book to date that offers such a variety of projects within the covers.

Lastly, the Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture Travel Edition provides project insights and narratives that are free of any bias or criticism. The lack of both is something that is rarely found in a subject as subjective as architecture, and is welcomed in this context.

The Atlas suffers from a minor foreseeable problems. The book limits itself to projects that were complete as of the time when the book went to press. Any building completed during its printing or afterwards suffers the fate of being excluded from the Atlas; perhaps it/they will be included in future editions.

Excellent resource for an Excellent Price
I think this is a book EVERY architect student should posses as a reference. It contains a large selection of references from all over the world. In comparison to the large version, which is rather costly for a student, this version contains brief descriptions and its a good size. I just wish there was a version on DISK!!!

Great Travel Companion...
For those of you interested in the praticality of this as a travel companion, trust me, it works. The maps are not enough alone to find buildings in their respective cities but between knowing their general locations and addresses you can easily navigate your way to find them. I carried this book in my pocket around Europe and can say first hand that it was the best travel guide I had. A must for any Architect or student planning on traveling.