Lives in Architecture: Peter Cook

Peter Cook has been a pivotal figure within the architecture world forover half a century. He first came to international renown in the 1960s as afounder of the radical, experimental group Archigram, winners of the 2002 RIBA RoyalGold Medal. He is also former Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts(ICA), London, and Emeritus Professor and former Chair of the Bartlett Schoolof Architecture (University College London).

Suffused with Peter’s infectious energy,enthusiasm and charm, this intriguing memoir explores major themes inarchitecture through the lens of his life and work. Taking the reader on ajourney through his colourful and wide-ranging career, it touches on his early yearsand architectural education, his relationships with key figures within thearchitecture community and his work teaching and lecturing internationally. Italso provides an inside account of his leadership of the Bartlett, for which heis frequently credited as a central figure in rescuing the reputation of aonce-ailing, now world-famous, school of architecture.

Featuring full-colour images of his mostfamous drawings, including Archigram’s ‘Plug-in City’, and built works, such asthe Kunsthaus Graz in Austria and the Vienna Economics and Business University’sDepartment of Law and Central Administration Buildings, this book is a window into the life of one ofarchitecture’s most celebrated rebels.