
Lukas Novotny, "Modern New York: The Illustrated Story of Architecture in the Five Boroughs from 1920 to Today" (Rizzoli, 2023)
From New Books in Architecture by Marshall Poe
April 25, 2026 · 33 min
About this episode
Lukas Novotny discusses his book on the evolution of architecture in New York City from 1920 to today, highlighting both iconic and overlooked buildings.
In Modern New York: The Illustrated Story of Architecture in the Five Boroughs from 1920 to Today (Rizzoli, 2023), Lukas Novotny calls attention not just to the icons-- the Empire State, Chrysler, or Seagram, but also to overlooked fine new buildings in the outer boroughs. Here too, in dozens of illustrated sidebars, we glimpse the evolution of city buses, cabs, ferry boats, tugs and airplanes. A delight for tourist or scholar! But we are also left to wonder--did the incessant demand to maximize square footage in new building result in “modern” once iconic, becoming tedious ? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/architecture
People in this episode
Host: Marshall Poe
Guest: Lukas Novotny
Topics covered
- architecture
- New York City
- urban development
- historical buildings
- modern architecture
Keywords
- architecture
- New York
- Lukas Novotny
- Rizzoli
- modern buildings
- urban evolution
- historical architecture
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Rizzoli
Books & works: Modern New York: The Illustrated Story of Architecture in the Five Boroughs from 1920 to Today
Places: New York, Five Boroughs
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