The Look of Architecture

Witold Rybczynski's *The Look of Architecture* boldly challenges the prevailing notion, famously espoused by Le Corbusier, that architectural style is a superficial adornment. Instead, Rybczynski presents a vigorous defense of style's central role in the "mother of the arts." Through a series of incisive observations, he argues that style is not a mere afterthought but intrinsically woven into the fabric of great design. He posits that form does not solely follow function, that architecture resonates most profoundly when it is a product of its specific era, and that details are not just complementary elements but the very essence of a building. At its core, the book masterfully dissects the symbiotic relationship between architecture, interior decoration, and fashion, revealing style as the vital language that translates cultural currents into built form. Rybczynski's exploration of this connection is precisely why *The Look of Architecture* deserves its place among his best works. He demonstrates how architecture is inextricably linked to fashion, a dynamic force that shapes and directs its aesthetic evolution. By examining the works of luminaries such as Frank Gehry, Mies van der Rohe, and Robert Venturi, he provides readers with fresh perspectives on familiar structures and encourages a more engaged appreciation of the built environment. His concluding argument that an architecture embracing style would be more outward-looking and less self-referential, ultimately connecting with the broader public rather than remaining the domain of architects alone, encapsulates his enduring contribution to architectural discourse: making the often-intimidating world of design accessible and, indeed, essential to everyday life.