This book brings a contemporary critical lens to the work of Reyner Banham, one of the most prescient architectural and design critics of the 20th century. Thirteen of the acerbic historian’s essays and book chapters have been selected by contributors, ranging from classics such as The Great Gizmo to lesser-known texts such as The Wall, an intimate confession he penned in hospital shortly before his death. Each is accompanied by a contemporary response that contextualises Banham’s writing, drawing out reflections on what the critic’s work means today.

With contributions by Oliver Arditi, Mario Carpo, Maristella Casciato, Ludovico Centis, Adrian Forty, Curt Gambetta, Kersten Geers, Albert Narath, Barbara Penner, Penny Sparke, Tim Street-Porter, Alice Twemlow, Paolo Viganò, Richard J Williams & Mimi Zeiger.

Edited by Ludovico Centis

AA Publications, 2024

19 X 14 cm, 232 pages