The Global Architect: Firms, Fame and Urban Form (Cultural Spaces)

The Global Architect explores the increasing significance of globalization processes on urban change, architectural practice and the built environment. In what is primarily a critical sociological overview of the current global architectural industry, Donald McNeill covers the "star system" of international architects who combine celebrity and hypermobility, the top firms, whose offices are currently undergoing a major global expansion, and the role of advanced information technology in expanding the geographical scope of the industry. The Global Architect Explores The Increasing Significance Of Globalisation Processes On Urban Change, Architectural Practice, And The Built Environment. In What Is Primarily A Critical Sociological Overview Of The Current Global Architectural Industry, Donald Mcneill Covers The 'star System' Of International Architects Who Combine Celebrity And Hypermobility; The Top Firms, Whose Offices Are Currently Undergoing A Major Global Expansion; And The Role Of Advanced Information Technology In Expanding The Geographical Scope Of The Industry. The Book Looks At Some Of The World's Most Famous Architects And Most Powerful Firms, And Its Empirical Coverage Ranges From North America And Europe To The Middle East To East Asia.--jacket. The Globalization Of Architectural Practice -- Designing At Distance -- Architectural Celebrity And The Cult Of The Individual -- The Bilbao Effect -- Rem Koolhaas And The Heteronomy Of Global Capitalism -- The Geography Of The Skyscraper -- The Ethics Of Architectural Practice. Donald Mcneill. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [162]-176) And Index. ix, 180 p. : 24 cm Includes bibliographical references (p. [162]-176) and index The globalization of architectural practice -- Designing at distance -- Architectural celebrity and the cult of the individual -- The "Bilbao effect" -- Rem Koolhaas and the heteronomy of global capitalism -- The geography of the skyscraper -- The ethics of architectural practice