Résumé du livre

Architect and propagandist of the modern movement, Alberto Sartoris (1901-1998) assembled a remarkable photography collection of modern architecture, published in part in two anthologies that have since achieved mythical stature: 'Gli Elementi dell'architettura funzionale' and 'l'Encyclopédie de l'architecture nouvelle'. These photographs document the architectural works around the world, from Le Corbusier to Luis Barragàn, photographed by the best specialists of their period. This work presents the collection that Alberto Sartoris donated to the Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne. It also throws light on a poorly understood aspect of twentieth century architecture, namely, the mechanisms behind the creation and diffusion of the 'image of modern architecture', as well as the determining role played by photography in this process. Published in collaboration with Vitra Design Museum, this book, featuring illustrations of emblematic pieces from the museum's collections, expands our thinking about design.