I have started with the topic of architecture and chose Xenotheka as Alice’s Brain. I searched for the word orders. I then also added the words columns and rustication. I tried also different brains, as for example the library of Homer’s friends as well Xenofeminism, Coco and Rem library. The first combination proved to be the most efficient as it seems to result in two books that are following a similar concept.
The two books I chose are both titled to be a bout modern architecture and modern architectural theory respectively. Interestingly though, “Modern Architectural Theory” by Harry Malgrave starts its historical survey in 1670 and goes until 1968, whereas “Modern architecture – a critical history” by Kenneth Frampton only really starts in 1836.
I chose them because they follow a very similar approach as Serlio in that they provide a large amount of example images about existing architecture. Of course these are no longer just drawings, but also a lot of pictures. Similar to our book, this is then narrated and explained. The whole book is divided in different chapters and thus trying to organize the variety of existing architecture along the lines of a narrative – similar to what Serlio tries to accomplish. It provides an overview over the current knowledge of architecture and shows examples.
I also came across the book “Architectural Elements” by Rem Koolhaas which was very interesting but didn’t relate to our book so much, as it follows a much more playful approach.