Book Description
Towards An Australian Architecture is the first book to give a comprehensive view of the development of Australian architecture in our time and also to question the future. The Editor, Harry Sowden, believes that there is a general lack of appreciation, even interest, in Australia and that there is a great need to create an awareness and an involvement in the whole concept of architectural environment. The nineteen firms in this book are representative of those that the author feels are changing the face of Australiarn architecture. These firms are turning their backs on stereotype styles, or those copied from other countries, and this book gives them the opportunity to communicate their ideas. In photographing their work the Editor has avoided the usual stylized, essentially illustrative, method employed in architectural photography - the meticulous full-facade shots where people, cars and other uncontrollable objects are rigidly excluded. His philosophy is that the buildings should be photographed as they are seen and used in everyday life; accidental elements such as cars and litter are essential in giving life and vitality to buildings. This approach requires the highest sensitivity and imagination from the photographer, and intelligence and imagination from the viewer. -- from book jacket.
