High Tech Architecture - Colin Davies (2026)

: Davies argues that High-Tech is rarely the most economical solution. For example, exposed steel and visible air conditioning ducts are often more expensive than traditional alternatives.

: A strict preference for metal and glass over traditional, "messy" materials like brick or timber. High Tech Architecture - Colin Davies

: Buildings are often designed as "serviced sheds"—large, open-plan spaces with reconfigurable interiors and no internal load-bearing walls. : Davies argues that High-Tech is rarely the

In his seminal 1988 book, High Tech Architecture , Colin Davies provides a comprehensive survey of the movement, defining it not just as a construction method but as a profound cultural and symbolic expression. He positions High-Tech as a British-led movement that sought to align architecture with the "spirit of the age" by borrowing from advanced industries like aerospace, transport, and communication. Core Characteristics and Themes : Buildings are often designed as "serviced sheds"—large,

: A commitment to revealing how a building works. This includes the celebratory display of structural systems (exposed steel) and mechanical services (pipes, air ducts, lifts).