Museum buildings are certainly among the most demanding but also the most exciting architectural projects of our time. The author Victoria Newhouse documents the history of these "cathedrals of the 20th century" (Walter Romstoeck) and puts them in perspective as the next millenium approaches. This unusual study is the fruit of numerous journeys through the USA and Europe plus discussions with architects, museum directors, curators and artists: thus Newhouse presents contemporary museum design as a response to art today and draws the logical conclusion from this for the future of museum design. Focusing on a number of different themes and illustrating her argument with impressive photographic material, the author describes the inter-connections between museums, collectors, foundations, artists and the general public, and puts forward a critique of architectural thinking today which is treading completely new ground in the interaction between art and the public: from the white cube of Modernity to the virtual museum. The author: Victoria Newhouse is an architectural historian. She founded the 'Architectural History Foundation' and has numerous publications to her name, including Wallace K. Harrison: Architect. She is a regular contributor to the Architectural Digest and to Architecture.