Résumé

The fireplace as architecture, as a component of furniture, as sculpture even - and at any rate, an oeuvre - this is the theme dealt with in this book which, filling a gap in the repertoire, goes beyond the technical and instrumental side of the matter covered in other publications. The central role of the fireplace in the layout of the domestic environment, its input as decoration, sculpture and expression, are showcased with eloquent illustrations that reveal their features - while no longer indispensable in functional terms - remains a compelling outlet for compositional experimentation, and allows huge margins for creative invention.