ARCHITECTURE WITHOUT ARCHITECTS Part I

Mojacar, Almeria, Spain

There are five books that aroused my interest in the past [see Parts II, III & IV to follow] and have permeated my work, sinking into one's consciousness!  These books are in favour of architecture without architects and what they advocate has become part of contemporary culture - and emulated by some - but the forces of greed, ambition and ruthless entrepreneurs have won the day.

This preaching for indigenous vernacular excludes the great architects of our day, as testified by buildings all over the world and, most recently, in the Gulf States - such as the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.

The air-conditioners of Hyderabad Sind,
 Pakistan - windscoops channel wind into every building

Images taken from: 'Architecture Without Architects' by Bernard Rudofsky [published by Academy Editions, 1964] - a catalogue from a 1965 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, USA.

Left: The Tower of Samarra in Iraq, built twelve centuries ago,  the 140ft ascent has to be made without benefit of railings.

Right: Ardmore Tower in Waterford County, Ireland