Royal Festival Hall

The Royal Festival Hall is one of the masterpieces of post-war British architecture. It was visited during construction by Le Corbusier, Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, Frank Lloyd Wright and others; and it duly received critical acclaim when opened. This monograph outlines the social background to its design in post-war welfare state Britain; discusses its acoustic design; and presents it as a fine example of the technology and detailing of the period. The illustrated essay, superb photographs, and a wealth of technical working details make this an invaluable resource for many types of reader - architects, engineers, acoustic designers, music lovers, 1950s and Festival of Britain enthusiasts, and ordinary lovers of the building itself. Now, in a new revised edition to mark the 50th anniversary of the buildings inauguration, an additional chapter brings the story, in text and illustration, of the building's progress to date.

Launched in 1991, the Architecture in Detail series attracted immediate acclaim and now comprises more than 60 titles. These books are highly collectable documents, each focusing on a celebrated building. The series covers all parts of the architectural spectrum, and the individual buildings are selected for their exceptional character, innovative design or technical virtuosity. Each volume contains a text by a respected author; a sequence of colour and black-and-white photographs; a set of technical drawings; and working details. These titles are essential to every architectural library, and will appeal equally to the professional and student, or indeed anyone with an appreciation of buildings.

John McKean trained as both architect and historian; having taught in various European and UK schools of architecture, he is Professor of Architecture at the Univeristy of Brighton. He has published widely on architecture, focusing closely on the twentieth century. He is the author of another two of Phaidon's Architecture in Detail books, Leicester University Engineering Building and Crystal Palace, also in the Architecture 3s Pioneering British 'High Tech' and Lost Masterpieces respectively; and a biography Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Architect Artist Icon, 2000. He is currently writing Layered Places, a study of the twentieth-century Italian architect Giancarlo De Carlo.

'Phaidon's Architecture in Detail series is an exemplary publishing effort, each attractive square-format volume offering thorough sets of drawings, fine photography and brief but intelligent texts.' (Interior Design)

'This series from Phaidon is proving to be a visually indulgent, useful addition to the field of architectural publishing.' (The Art Book)

'As always, Phaidon's Architecture in Detail series is a treat with lavish new colour pictures and excellent plans.' (RIBA Journal)

'The Architecture in Detail series is without question one of the most beautifully illustrated and well-documented collections of monographs on individual buildings produced anywhere in the world. These beautifully produced books combine historical and contemporary photographs, drawings and texts by sensitive critics.' (AIA Jury)