A poet of architecture, Carlo Scarpa (1906-1978) was denied the appropriate appreciation during his lifetime. His work was dismissed as 'just' being art and only after his death people began to understand the high quality contained. This book shows the development of his individual architectural language by linking aspects of the arts with architecture. From his sensitive consideration of the urban context to the composition of stunning details; the author manages to give the reader an insight into the architect's work. Especially the investigation in his exhibition designs illustrate Scarpa's knowledge of material and his solving of complex problems. Places like the Castelvecchio Museum in Verona became a Mekka for everybody seeking the ultimate refinement in exhibition design and restoring old buildings. Every book in "TASCHEN's Basic Architecture Series" features: approximately 120 images, including photographs, sketches, drawings, and floor plans; introductory essays exploring the architect's life and work, touching on family and background as well as collaborations with other architects; the most important works presented in chronological order, with descriptions of client and/or architect wishes as well as construction problems and resolutions; and, an appendix including a list of complete or selected works, biography, bibliography and a map indicating the locations of the architect's most famous buildings.

About the Author

Sergio Los (*1934) studied architecture in Venice. He worked in the office of Carlo Scarpa from 1964 to 1970 and hereby gained deep insights into various projects and the way of developing his work. 1967 he wrote the first monograph on Scarpa, numerous publications followed. From 1968 on the author taught at the Faculty of Architecture at Venice University. He ran architectural offices together with Natasha F. Pulitzer in Venice, Padua and Milan.