"‘Truth and Lies in Architecture’ delves deep into the soul of architects and their work." — Naser Nader Ibrahim, Amazing Architecture This is a collection of provocative essays that journey into the vexed circumstance of contemporary architectural practice. The nature of the great cultural, social, political, environmental, and consumerist challenges facing the contemporary architect are explored, interpreted, and questioned, while drawing connections from architecture theory, philosophy, science, literature, and film sources in an attempt to negotiate the territory between the truth and lies in architecture. These essays written by a leading Australian architect represent a level of comprehensive critical awareness rarely found within the architectural profession and one would be hard pressed to find another comparable figure in contemporary architectural practice. The entire argumentation is impressive, challenging, intellectually at the highest level and beautifully written.

Architecture's leading thinkers and practitioners examine both the global phenomenon of the tall building and its adaptation to the Asian-Pacific context in this detailed case study. The evershifting profile of modern cities, coupled with a lack of comprehensive city planning, pose important architectural and aesthetic questions about towers' effects on culture and historic city centers. Pressing concerns about environmental sustainability and building economics are also addressed in this strikingly designed book, which draws on a diverse array of examples, including the Dong Towers of Southern China, high-rise housing in Hong Kong and Australia, and the iconic towers of Seidler, PTW, Foster, Koolhaas, Mayne and Ingenhoven & Architectus.