Gwendolyn Wright: America and the spirit of modernity.

In A is for Architecture’s seventh episode in 2022/3's offer, I speak with Professor Gwendolyn Wright of Colombia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation (GSAPP), New York and presenter of PBS’ History Detectives. We met on Zoom to talk about her 2008 book, USA, part of Reaktion Book’s Modern Architectures in History series, a book which ‘traces a history that spans from early skyscrapers and suburbs in the aftermath of the American Civil War up to the museums, schools and ‘green architecture’ of today [describing] diverse interests that affected design, ranging from politicians and developers to ambitious immigrants and middle-class citizens […] Wright reframes the history of American architecture as one of constantly evolving and volatile sensibilities, engaged with commerce, attuned to new media, exploring multiple concepts of freedom.’
You can get the book via The University of Chicago Press’ website here. You can also hear Gwen talk at GSAPP with Michael Kimmelman about architecture’s public, in a presentation entitled Who's Listening? Also, here she is speaking when accepting the Society of Architectural Historian’s Award for Excellence in Architectural Media in 2012, and here  about History Detectives as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. Gwen’s website is here; her LinkedIn is here.
Gwen is an amazing communicator, a seriously insightful analyser of modern architecture and a delightful person to listen to. The book is marvellous, of course, as you shall hear…
Happy listening!
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Music credits: Bruno Gillick
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