UnHerd, a prominent online publication, has compiled an extensive archive of 51 articles focusing on architecture, urban planning, and design philosophy. This comprehensive collection spans various topics from modernist movements to contemporary architectural debates, offering readers deep insights into how buildings and spaces shape our society.
The archive features diverse perspectives on architectural history and criticism, including Jonathan Meades' personal account of living in a house designed by Le Corbusier, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. The collection also examines contemporary political architecture, such as Sheehan Quirke's critique of neoclassical design elements in Trump's ballroom and Viktor Orbán's architectural ambitions in Hungary.
Several articles address the intersection of architecture and politics, exploring how design choices reflect ideological positions. The collection includes analyses of the Bauhaus movement's political implications, discussions about the National Trust's role in preserving architectural heritage, and examinations of how capitalism has influenced London's skyline development over recent decades.
The archive also tackles controversial architectural movements, particularly Brutalism, examining both its philosophical foundations and what critics consider its fatal flaws. Contributors explore how this concrete-heavy architectural style emerged from post-war optimism but later faced significant public backlash for its imposing, institutional aesthetic.
Urban decay and regeneration form another key theme throughout the collection. Articles examine specific cities like Belfast, analyzing how economic and political factors contribute to urban deterioration and the challenges facing historic city centers in the modern era.
The publication's architecture coverage extends to cultural institutions and international exhibitions. Tim Abrahams provides critical commentary on the Venice Biennale, one of the world's most prestigious architecture and art exhibitions, questioning what he describes as the "performative emptiness" of contemporary architectural discourse at major cultural events.
Technical and policy issues also feature prominently in the archive. Nicholas Boys Smith examines the RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) crisis, exploring how ideological approaches to construction and building materials have created significant structural problems in public buildings across Britain.
The collection demonstrates UnHerd's commitment to providing thoughtful, often contrarian perspectives on architectural topics that extend far beyond mere aesthetic considerations, engaging with the political, social, and economic dimensions of how we build and inhabit our environments.
