The Art of Building, William Morris

William Morris (1834–1896) was a poet, designer and political activist. He campaigned against the human and environmental costs of industrial mass production and viewed the arts as central to creating a better society. In these essays, Morris develops his philosophy of simplicity, equality and care for nature in relation to architecture, displaying the integrated vision of culture which has led to Morris being viewed as a forerunner to both the Bauhaus and today’s environmental movements. 

‘By forcing home with untiring zest the principle that art matters only ‘if all can share it’, Morris laid the foundation of the Modern Movement.’ Nikolaus Pevsner