'Dominic Bradbury’s new architecture book is the first major treatment of
the life and work of an architect who still leaves a major legacy.' - <i>Wallpaper*</i>
'the book shows a keen awareness of recent conservation battles over Seifert buildings. It will also no doubt help solidify Seifert’s reputation' - <i>C20 magazine</i>
'Seifert's greatest works were sculptural, if controversial, additions to the London skyline. Centre Point... never quite rose to the icon status grated to works by Wren, Eric Bedford or Norman Foster. Yet it is a building that has dated well, standing proud amid the sunken abscess of development at Tottenham Court Road, the drooping fishnet of its façade clean and creamy thanks to the use of Portland stone in the concrete mix.' - <i>Apollo </i>magazine
An enigmatic and determined figure, Seifert achieved much in his lifetime yet has remained a controversial and divisive figure due to his unwavering commitment to modernism. Both Seifert and his buildings have been attacked, with his work described as ‘notorious’ for its brutalist aesthetic and an arguable lack of contextuality. Yet in recent years there has been a noticeable upsurge of interest in brutalist architecture in general along with the beginnings of a re-evaluation of Seifert’s extraordinary contribution to mid-century architecture and design: a number of buildings by Seifert and his associates have been listed in recognition of their architectural importance.
Beautifully illustrated, this book records, analyses and celebrates a considered selection of Seifert’s buildings, including Centre Point, the Nat West and King's Reach Towers, Space House, the Euston Station Buildings, the Park Lane Tower Hotel, Drapers Gardens, the International Press Centre, all in London, Wembley Conference Centre and Sussex Heights in Brighton, within the most extensive survey of his work to date.