Elements

　　知名荷蘭建築師、建築四大名著之一《S, M, L, XL》的作者雷姆．庫哈斯，2014年受邀為第十四屆威尼斯國際建築雙年展策展人。他在展前耗時兩年逐一探究門、階梯、窗、屋頂、陽台等幾種建築元素，回溯歷史脈絡及未來趨勢。也成了今年雙年展主題「Fundamentals」的破題之作。這項規模龐大的研究收錄在最新出版套書，每種元素皆獨立成冊，引領讀者深入這些經常被忽略的重要細節。

　　庫哈斯以一貫精闢犀利的考證與分析，拋開傳統建築史以歐洲為中心的論述方式，跨越古今、東西的宏觀視野來檢視這些元素的演化歷程。有部份人士憂心現代建築將逐漸取代民族特色建築，庫哈斯則不以為然，認為帶有民族特色的事物，正如國際間頻繁的交流，只會更蓬勃發展，而非完全犧牲消失。(文/博客來編譯)

     A follow-up to Rem Koolhaas’s iconic S, M, L, XL, this encyclopedic tome illustrates the research project lying behind the 14th International Architecture Biennale.

　　The focus of this book is the evolution of the elements used by architects of every age throughout the history of architecture. Doors, windows, ceilings, floors, stairs, balconies, and other basic elements of architecture—often overlooked but universally familiar—are studied, analyzed, and cataloged by means of an endless variety of visual references, from ancient times to modern developments. By looking at the evolution of architectural elements that are common to all cultures, this exploration avoids the classical Eurocentrism that often still characterizes architectural discourse. National identity has seemingly been sacrificed to modernity. Nevertheless, unique national features and mentalities continue to exist and flourish just as international collaboration and exchange intensifies

作者簡介

　　Rem Koolhaas, winner of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Biennale Architettura 2010, and the Pritzker Prize in 2000, founded OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture) in 1975 together with Elia and Zoe Zenghelis and Madelon Vriesendorp. Recently completed OMA buildings led by Koolhaas include the new headquarters for China Central Television in Beijing, a new headquarters for Rothschild Bank in London, the Wyly Theatre, Dallas, and Milstein Hall, an extension to Cornell's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning.