ABSTRACT

The Global Architect explores the increasing significance of globalization processes on urban change, architectural practice and the built environment. In what is primarily a critical sociological overview of the current global architectural industry, Donald McNeill covers the "star system" of international architects who combine celebrity and hypermobility, the top firms, whose offices are currently undergoing a major global expansion, and the role of advanced information technology in expanding the geographical scope of the industry.

chapter |6 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|25 pages

Designing at distance

chapter 4|17 pages

The ‘Bilbao effect’

chapter 5|16 pages

Rem Koolhaas and global capitalism

chapter 6|22 pages

The geography of the skyscraper

chapter 7|16 pages

The ethics of architectural practice