LEADER 03466nam 2200613Ia 450 001 9910453917703321 005 20200520144314.0 010 $a1-282-89916-3 010 $a9786612899164 010 $a0-262-28821-4 010 $a1-4356-6291-1 035 $a(CKB)1000000000537538 035 $a(OCoLC)646755968 035 $a(CaPaEBR)ebrary10237086 035 $a(SSID)ssj0000274763 035 $a(PQKBManifestationID)11219812 035 $a(PQKBTitleCode)TC0000274763 035 $a(PQKBWorkID)10330456 035 $a(PQKB)10950792 035 $a(MiAaPQ)EBC3338913 035 $a(OCoLC)245529915$z(OCoLC)471128681$z(OCoLC)646755968$z(OCoLC)704033626$z(OCoLC)816618624$z(OCoLC)961527484$z(OCoLC)962724531$z(OCoLC)1037407842 035 $a(OCoLC-P)245529915 035 $a(MaCbMITP)7949 035 $a(Au-PeEL)EBL3338913 035 $a(CaPaEBR)ebr10237086 035 $a(CaONFJC)MIL289916 035 $a(OCoLC)245529915 035 $a(EXLCZ)991000000000537538 100 $a20080107d2008 uy 0 101 0 $aeng 135 $aurcn||||||||| 181 $ctxt 182 $cc 183 $acr 200 10$aWorld's greatest architect$b[electronic resource] $emaking, meaning, and network culture /$fWilliam J. Mitchell 210 $aCambridge, Mass. $cMIT Press$dc2008 215 $a1 online resource (165 p.) 300 $aIncludes index. 311 $a0-262-63364-7 330 $aArtifacts (including works of architecture) play dual roles; they simultaneously perform functions and carry meaning. Columns support roofs, but while the sturdy Tuscan and Doric types traditionally signify masculinity, the slim and elegant Ionic and Corinthian kinds read as feminine. Words are often inscribed on objects. (On a door: "push" or "pull.") Today, information is digitally encoded (dematerialized) and displayed (rematerialized) to become part of many different objects, at one moment appearing on a laptop screen and at another, perhaps, on a building facade (as in Times Square). Well-designed artifacts succeed in being both useful and meaningful. In World's Greatest Architect, William Mitchell offers a series of snapshots -- short essays and analyses -- that examine the systems of function and meaning currently operating in our buildings, cities and global networks.

In his writing, Mitchell makes connections that aren't necessarily obvious but are always illuminating, moving in one essay from Bush-Cheney's abuse of language to Robert Venturi's argument against rigid ideology and in favor of graceful pragmatism. He traces the evolution of Las Vegas from Sin/Sign City to family-friendly resort and residential real estate boomtown. A purchase of chips leads not only to a complementary purchase of beer but to thoughts of Eames chairs (like Pringles) and Gehry (fun to imitate with tortilla chips in refried beans). As for who the world's greatest architect might be, here's a hint: he's also the oldest. 606 $aArchitecture and society$xHistory$y21st century 606 $aCities and towns 608 $aElectronic books. 615 0$aArchitecture and society$xHistory 615 0$aCities and towns. 676 $a724/.7 700 $aMitchell$b William J$g(William John),$f1944-2010.$09418 801 0$bMiAaPQ 801 1$bMiAaPQ 801 2$bMiAaPQ 906 $aBOOK 912 $a9910453917703321 996 $aWorld's greatest architect$91941367 997 $aUNINA