Originally published in German as Die Architektur und ihre Meister, the book is an essential reference for the study of unbuilt architectural projects. It includes a bibliography and an index of architects.

"Visionary Architecture of the 20th Century" by Vittorio Magnago Lampugnani is a comprehensive look at the radical and often unbuilt architectural projects that have shaped modern design. Rather than focusing on completed buildings, the book explores the ideas behind them, showcasing the work of architects who pushed the boundaries of what was possible, even if their visions never left the drawing board. Lampugnani examines the theoretical and utopian projects that served as a testing ground for new forms, materials, and urban concepts.

The book is organized thematically, covering a wide range of visionary proposals from the early 20th century to the post-modern era. It includes the work of prominent architects like Le Corbusier's Ville Radieuse, Frank Lloyd Wright's Broadacre City, and Antonio Sant'Elia's Città Nuova. Lampugnani's analysis shows how these projects were not just flights of fancy but were deeply connected to the social, political, and technological anxieties and aspirations of their time. The book is significant for its focus on architectural drawings and models as works of art and as crucial documents of architectural history, providing insight into the dreams and theories that continue to influence contemporary design.