Rudolf Wittkower, "Architectural Principles in the Age of Humanism": Its Influence on the Development and Interpretation of Modern Architecture

Abstract

THIS ESSAY will not attempt to outline the considerable effect Wittkower's Architectural Principles had on Renaissance studies. My intention, instead, is to sketch the influence it had on the development and interpretation of Modern Architecture as reflected in theories of modular construction, theories of proportion and composition, and views of the internal, intrinsic cultural, or societal significance of Modern Architecture of the first four decades of this century.' From its publication as a book in 1949 Architectural Principles was, according to the Australian architect Robin Boyd, required reading in most architectural schools in the period after World War II.2 Its effect was particularly marked on those who began a reassessment of the aims and achievements of the early modern movement, and on architectural practice, at least in England, in the I95Os. Apparently the effect on the practicing architect was mixed since Reyner Banhamjudged it to have had a negative effect on architects who, simple-mindedly, applied Renaissance proportional systems or compositional principles to twentieth-century buildings. Its positive effect, primarily on a group of young English architects, will be discussed later. widespread influence of the book, however, led Banham to say in 1955: The effect of Architectural Principles has made it by far the most important contribution-for evil as well as good-by any historian of the modern movement.3 positive contribution of Architectural Principles will be discussed with respect to the following, listed in increasing order of importance: (a) modular construction, (b) views on proportion and composition, (c) reassessments of aims and achievements of the 192os and '30s.