Comparing a number of radical movements in Architecture in the 1960s’, the book 'Radical Games. Popping the Bubble of 1960s' Architecture' traces a moment in the history of architecture when revolutionary ideals were paramount and dreams became drawings.

The ensuing disillusionment as well as a contemporary revival of this period are enclosed within their very premises. This book explores three radical critiques of modernist architecture throughout the work of the Situationist International, Venturi and Scott Brown and Archigram. Situated on the cusp of a new time, of postmodernity and global capitalism, these critical reactions to their forebears demonstrate a perceptively critical understanding of modernism and a prescience towards contemporary conditions. At the same time, however, their dreams were so entwined with the modern project that they have created an untenable position for the contemporary architecture debate.

Comparing a number of radical movements in Architecture in the 1960s’, the book 'Radical Games. Popping the Bubble of 1960s' Architecture' traces a moment in the history of architecture when revolutionary ideals were paramount and dreams became drawings.

The ensuing disillusionment as well as a contemporary revival of this period are enclosed within their very premises. This book explores three radical critiques of modernist architecture throughout the work of the Situationist International, Venturi and Scott Brown and Archigram. Situated on the cusp of a new time, of postmodernity and global capitalism, these critical reactions to their forebears demonstrate a perceptively critical understanding of modernism and a prescience towards contemporary conditions. At the same time, however, their dreams were so entwined with the modern project that they have created an untenable position for the contemporary architecture debate.


Lara Schrijver is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Architecture of Delft University of Technology. Her current research revolves around the work of Koolhaas and Ungers, and the role of the public domain in the architecture of the city.