Author(s): Stella Gurney

Culture | Art, Design, Architecture

In a bid to improve ever worsening relations between our two species, pigeon elder Speck Lee Tailfeather has been elected by his peers to reveal to human beings the truth about pigeons' finer sensibilities. It is already a little known fact that pigeons are amongst some of the most intelligent creatures in the world. However, Speck plans to divulge more. Namely that - far from the perceived pests who plague our buildings - pigeons are in fact great admirers and aficionados of architecture. It is of course for this reason that they can be found in great numbers around the most beautiful and significant buildings in the world. It's Speck's dear wish that, through these latest revelations, bridges will be built between our two species, ending once and for all the terrible pi-geonocide practised by humankind. After thorough investigation, Speck picks renowned international arts publisher, Phaidon Press, to be the vehicle for his message. One morning, heart beating wildly, he flies in through an open window to an empty Phaidon office and, using the keyboard, pecks out these words: 'Hello. I am Speck. There is something you need to know.' Communicating through such typed messages, Phaidon agrees to send Speck on a journey around the world to visit his favourite buildings, and then to publish his writings about them. Here, in Architecture (According to Pigeons), we read his account of this journey, with information and opinions on the buildings he visits, as well as his musings on many aspects of architecture. Architecture (According to Pigeons) ends with a post-script from Speck. He urges every young reader to go and find out about and appreciate the architecture about which he was so passionate ...... and of course, to be kinder to pigeons.