Всеобщая история архитектуры

The widespread recognition of The History of Architecture by the French civil engineer and former associate professor at the École Polytechnique, Auguste Choisy (1841–1909), can be explained by several key factors. Foremost among them is the expansive scope of the author’s vision: the work traces the evolution of architecture from prehistoric periods through the civilizations of the Ancient East and Antiquity – including India, China, and Japan – and extends to the architectural traditions of Europe in the Middle Ages, the Early Modern period, and the modern era. Equally significant is the author’s scholarly precision. Choisy provides detailed examinations of structures, their constituent elements, materials and their uses, as well as construction techniques. Based on extensive practical experience, he formulates innovative hypotheses that have stimulated further scholarly discussion and inspired subsequent researchers. Moreover, Choisy’s study offers a distinctly professional interpretation of the development of human society, analyzed through the lens of the interaction and synthesis of diverse architectural forms and techniques. This comprehensive edition brings together both volumes of Choisy’s History of Architecture. The clarity of exposition, combined with the author’s original illustrations and explanatory captions, ensures that the work remains accessible and engaging for contemporary readers.