The Global Architect: Firms, Fame and Urban Form [Hardcover]

The Global Architect explores the increasing significance of globalization processes on urban change, architectural practice and the built environment. In what is primarily a critical sociological overview of the current global architectural industry, Donald McNeill covers the star system of international architects who combine celebrity and hypermobility, the top firms, whose offices are currently undergoing a major global expansion, and the role of advanced information technology in expanding the geographical scope of the industry.

1. The globalization of architectural practice 2. Designing at distance 3. Architectural celebrity and the cult of the individual 4. The Bilbao effect 5. Rem Koolhaas and the heteronomy of global capitalism 6. The geography of the skyscraper 7. The ethics of architectural practice

The Global Architect explores the increasing significance of globalization processes on urban change, architectural practice and the built environment. In what is primarily a critical sociological overview of the current global architectural industry, Donald McNeill covers the star system of international architects who combine celebrity and hypermobility, the top firms, whose offices are currently undergoing a major global expansion, and the role of advanced information technology in expanding the geographical scope of the industry.

Donald McNeill (Ph.D., University of Wales) is Associate Professor at the Urban Research Centre, University of Western Sydney, Australia.  He is known for his research in urban geography, and in particular the relationship between architecture and urban space.

This manuscript has a wonderful application for both undergrad and graduate courses in (architecture) design theory, design practice and design methodology courses. Theres an absence in the market for timely, relevant readings l\