Architecture + Cars

An exploration of the golden age of car travel, looking at both its cultural and architectural impact on the world.

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A smooth ride through the golden age of car travel, looking at both its cultural and architectural impact on the world.

Despite the inherently mobile nature of cars, the culture of road travel and the road trip is arguably best reflected in the stationary spots found along the way. Christopher Beanland journeys through these built environments the world over, whose sole purpose is to cater to cars and those who drive them, and examines what makes them so alluring.

Illustrated with 65 stunning photographs, Architecture + Cars explores everything from the brutalist fashions of listed UK petrol stations to the quirky and colourful drive-thrus found across the US. If you've ever wondered where German drivers stop off for a quick prayer, why Ed Ruscha felt drawn to painting gas stations, or you just enjoy the aesthetics of car-centric architecture, this book is for you.

Also included are essays on wider topics such as roadside signs, drive-in malls and retail parks, cars on film, and roads that never were. This latest architectural deep-dive from Christopher Beanland focuses mainly on the 20th century, with an additional optimistic look towards the future: hopefully an electric vehicle-led existence will herald a new, greener 'golden age' for cars.