Building the future: An indispensable overview of cutting-edge architecture In ideal terms, the architect exists to create what is a functional building and a work of art at the same time. The reality of the matter is of course much more complicated. Each and every building project faces a myriad of convoluted and often contradictory factors: the site, budget, client, construction companies, engineers, rules and regulations. A successful, completed structure is a masterwork of coordination, communication, imagination, and industry expertise . It requires such finely tuned teamwork that in truth more bad buildings fill our skylines than good ones. This volume brings together the good ones, and celebrates them for all their ambition and their achievement. The collection is drawn from TASCHEN's groundbreaking title Building a New Millennium and from the first four volumes of our renowned Architecture Now! and in scouting out the most innovative and original structures , features many superstars of tomorrow alongside the field's most respected practitioners, such as Santiago Calatrava , Herzog & de Meuron , Koolhaas/OMA , Daniel Libeskind , Richard Meier , Oscar Niemeyer , and Jean Nouvel . About the series: Bibliotheca Universalis -- Compact cultural companions celebrating the eclectic TASCHEN universe at an unbeatable, democratic price ! Since we started our work as cultural archaeologists in 1980, the name TASCHEN has become synonymous with accessible, open-minded publishing. Bibliotheca Universalis brings together nearly 100 of our all-time favorite titles in a neat new format so you can curate your own affordable library of art, anthropology, and aphrodisia. Bookworm's delight -- never bore, always excite ! Text in English, French, and German