It doesn't always have to be white, brown or grey and even simple brick red is sometimes not special enough. The buildings and other architectural designs in this publication, just like the book cover itself, stand out enormously, especially because of their colour. Each and every one of them is bright red and does everything but subtly blend into its surroundings.
Certain colours have an important social and cultural value and that is no different with the colour red. For example, one of the subjects in this book is a temple in Kyoto from the year 711, but you can also read about the Red Fort in Delhi that was built in the 17th century and traditional farms in Scandinavia. In addition to buildings by renowned architects such as Daniel Libeskind, Frank Gehry and Tadao Ando, this book also features visual artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Anish Kapoor who also worked with the colour red. 
Red: Architecture in Monochrome also shows the further cultural impact of this specific colour by means of song lyrics and other quotes. Just think of the bright use of colour in the works of Henri Matisse, the world-famous red soles of Louboutin shoes and the song 'Seeing Red' by Carole King. 
This book is perfect for architecture lovers who, in addition to the formal aspect, also pay attention to the meaning of other determining factors in a design, but also for those who like to add a touch of colour to their interior. It is already a very unique approach to architectural history and it is therefore worthwhile getting to know it better from this angle.
You can buy the book here. 
Also just published by Phaidon: a reissue of Black: Architecture in Monochrome, but in a smaller and even more convenient format. Dramatic and inspiring, ranging from old churches to contemporary skyscrapers and each time presented with beautiful images and informative texts.
Header Photo: Casa das Artes, Future Architecture Thinking. Miranda do Corvo, Portugal, 2013. Picture credit: João Morgado / Future Architecture Thinking (pages 16- 17)
Photos, top to bottom, left to right:
- Formosa 1140, LOHA Architects, Los Angeles, California, USA, 2009. Picture credit: © Lawrence Anderson, Courtesy LOHA (page 111)
- Red: Architecture in Monochrome, Phaidon; Gentle Genius, GG-loop, Altamura, Italy, 2015 (left) and LAP Marina Residence, 5+1AA Alfonso Femia Gianluca Peluffo (right), pages 144-145
- Red: Architecture in Monochrome, Phaidon; Red Object, 3GATTI, Shanghai, China, 2006 (left) and Touch of Evil, NIO Architecten, Pijnacker, The Netherlands, 2004 (right), pages 74-75
- Kuggen, Wingårdh Arkitektkontor. Gothenburg, Sweden, 2011. Picture credit: Tord-Rickard Söderström (pages 84-85)
- Casa das Artes, Future Architecture Thinking. Miranda do Corvo, Portugal, 2013. Picture credit: João Morgado / Future Architecture Thinking (pages 16- 17)
- Red: Architecture in Monochrome, Phaidon