Kenneth Frampton's Modern Architecture History Reissued in French

A new French edition of Kenneth Frampton's seminal work 'Modern Architecture: A Critical History' has been released by Thames & Hudson. Originally published in 1980 and revised in 1985 and 1992, this edition includes a new translation and an additional chapter specifically written for the French version, focusing on interwar French architecture. The book retains its pedagogical approach, reflecting Frampton's tenure at prestigious institutions including Columbia University. It is structured in three parts: an introduction covering cultural shifts and new techniques from the 18th century onward; a core of 25 thematic chapters organized by period, nation, movement, or major architect; and a final section connecting to contemporary times. The author acknowledges the vastness of the subject. The final section has evolved most over the past quarter-century. The book's strength lies not in its retrospective but in its questioning of the 'universality' of modern architecture and the 'international style,' emphasizing human, social, and political dimensions more than predecessors like Giedion or Mumford. It concludes with a quote from Adolf Loos and Robert Venturi: 'Ornament is a crime—especially when it is modern!' The review was written by Nikola Jankovic.