Londinium, Architecture and the Crafts

"Londinium, Architecture and the Crafts" by W. R. Lethaby is a historical examination of Roman architecture and craftsmanship in ancient London, written in the early 1900s. The book explains the building materials, structures, and art used in Roman Londinium to show the city's architectural importance and how it changed through the years. It kicks off by looking at Roman building methods in Britain, pointing out that architects and historians haven't paid much attention to this topic. Lethaby says that to really get British architecture, we need to carefully study these old practices. The book starts by talking about the many tools and materials Roman builders used, giving us a peek into how they built walls and other structures. This part sets the stage for understanding how these ancient methods not only shaped London but also impacted how we build today, stressing why it’s still important to study Roman architecture.