DE SETA, Cesare | Architettura futurista

De Seta, Cesare. Architettura futurista. Milan; New York : Edizioni Philippe Daverio, 1990.

Oblong 12” x 17”; 80 unnumbered pages; illustrations in color and b&w; spiral bound; gray paper boards stamped in red; covers sunned; a few tiny stains; edgewear; bumped.

First edition of 500 copies, this is number 34, the full edition. 

Futurist architecture, emerging in the early twentieth century as part of the broader Futurist movement in Italy, embodied a radical departure from traditional architectural styles. Spearheaded by visionary architects like Antonio Sant’Elia and Mario Chiattone, it celebrated modernity, technology, and dynamism. Characterized by bold, geometric forms, sweeping curves, and a sense of motion, Futurist architecture sought to reflect the speed and energy of the industrial age. Designs often featured innovative materials such as reinforced concrete and steel, and incorporated elements like extensive use of glass, mechanization, and an emphasis on functionality. Though few of the ambitious projects were realized, the movement profoundly influenced later architectural developments by challenging conventions and envisioning a future shaped by rapid technological progress and urban transformation. Architettura futurista is catalogue of an exhibition held at the Philippe Daverio Gallery, New York City, in 1990.