The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the University of London are collaborating on an exciting project to bring Sir Banister Fletcher’s renowned book, A History of Architecture, into the 21st century.
Edited by architectural historian and broadcaster, Tom Dyckhoff, the 21st edition will be completely restructured, expanded and rewritten, and is to be published both in print and online (as part of a digital hub for architectural history).
We are currently seeking experts in the field of architectural history to author a number of chapters in the new edition, listed below. The deadline for first drafts is Spring/Summer 2015 and scholars are invited to express an interest in contributing to the new edition. Co-authoring is welcome and expressions of interest in parts of chapters will also be considered.
Our aim is simple, exciting and hugely ambitious: to create the finest history of architecture in the English-speaking world. Our readers are students (of architecture, design, art history, archaeology, anthropology, but also other disciplines such as sociology or history); they are professionals (architects, engineers, city planners etc); but they are also interested, intelligent non-professionals. So Banister Fletcher’s new history of architecture must be scholarly, enlightening and accurate, challenging and opinionated, but also accessible and enjoyable. We want our readers to be as fascinated by the architecture of ancient Mesopotamia or 15th century Japan as they are by that of Frank Gehry or Zaha Hadid.
Chapters have a common overall structure, but we want our authors to create their own history within this, to take fully credited ownership of their chapters, and to let their own interpretation of the period or place sing from the page. The new Banister Fletcher will contain a kaleidoscope of diverse voices, and many different approaches to architectural history.
To express an interest in writing any of the chapters listed below, please email catherine.gregg[at]riba.org stating the chapter title, your affiliation and references to published works. While there is no deadline for expressions of interest, scholars should note that the very latest deadline for first drafts will be September 2015. Any questions should be directed to Catherine Gregg at the above email address or by telephone on +44 (0)207 307 3802.
Chapters available are:
Early Medieval Europe, 500 – c. 1000
- Central and Northern Europe and Scandinavia (4,000 words)
- Eastern Europe, the Bulgars and Early Russia (4,000 words)
Late Medieval Europe, c. 1000 – 1400
- The Holy Roman Empire, Central and Eastern Europe (4,500 words)
- Scandinavia and Russia (2,000 words) B. this chapter may be split and we welcome expressions of interest in either area
1400 – 1830 Europe
- The Holy Roman Empire, Germany, Austria and Central Europe (8,000 words)
- Russia and Scandinavia (8,000 words) B. this chapter may be split and we welcome expressions of interest in either area
1400 – 1830 non-Europe
- The Ottoman Empire (10,000 words)
- Iran and the Safavid Dynasty (10,000 words)
- Japan 1334 – 1868 (4,000 words)
- Africa (4,000 words)
1830 – 1914 Europe
- France (11,000 words)
- Austro-Hungary, Prussia, Germany and Central Europe (9,000 words)
- The Italian Peninsula (4,000 words)
- Russia and Scandinavia (4,000 words) B. this chapter may be split and we welcome expressions of interest in either area
1830 – 1914 non-Europe
- The Middle East (4,000 words)
- Africa (5,000 words)