Book Description

The mechanics of lightness

Whereas some architects have a signature style, what sets Piano apart is that he seeks simply to apply a coherent set of ideas to new projects in extraordinarily different ways. "One of the great beauties of architecture is that each time, it is like life starting all over again," Piano says. "Like a movie director doing a love story, a Western, or a murder mystery, a new world confronts an architect with each project." This explains why it takes more than a superficial glance to recognize Piano’s fingerprints on such various projects as the Pompidou Center in Paris (1971-77), the Kansai airport in Osaka, Japan (1990-94), and the Tjibaou Cultural Center in Nouméa, New Caledonia (1993-1998).

This stunning monograph, illustrated by photographs, sketches, and plans, covers Piano’s career to date. Also included are sneak peeks at Piano’s current projects, including the New York Times Tower, a 52-story skyscraper to be built in Times Square, and the 80-story London Bridge Tower, which is set to be Europe’s tallest building. ... Read more

Book Description

This is highly physical, tactile architecture, but it is also spatially complex, with its steel shafts penetrating the central volume, its multiple staircases, and its crystalline but irregular form. It is also the start of architecture's next big thing.--Deyan Sudjic, The Observer
In the Aoyama district of Tokyo, a mixed-use neighborhood of low-rise buildings where not a square meter of land has been left unoccupied, the Swiss architecture team of Herzog & de Meuron has built a new store for Prada. In this chunky, silvery book, they meticulously illustrate the creative process that led to the realization of "a house and a plaza," a tall and narrow kaleidoscope-like structure that houses a two-story retail space and multiple levels of offices, backed by an outdoor space for the public--a rarity in crowded Tokyo. The finished structure, encased in a visually porous shell or skin, is as decorative as it is architectural--or as architectural as it is decorative--and is both metaphorically and literally linked to its surrounding environment, and to the idea of the garment. Here is the story of a theoretically and structurally complex building told lovingly and simply by its architects, through words, models, sketches, photographs, and architectural renderings.

Essays by Germano Celant and Herzog & de Meuron.~ Introductions by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli.

Paperback, 6.5 x 8.25 in./396 pgs / 983 color. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

Excellent in both pictures and words
The primary appeal in this book is the photo collection. While the accompanying text throughout is quite interesting, I think most people will buy it for the pictures. And excellent pictures they are.

For buildings that still exist, the authors/editors took brand new photographs specifically for this book. You would be hard pressed to find similar quality photographs anywhere else.

However, if you are interested in an introductory reading on Wright's work, you won't be disappointed. The reading level seems to be geared towards someone who already knows who Wright is, but is not familiar with his lesser known works, or with the details of his life and of architecture. The authors did a splendid job of placing Wright's work in the context of the time and place, and highlighting that which is fundamentally American about both. From the insight on Wrights life and works, you will learn not only about some of the foremost icons of American architecture, but also about American culture itself. The passion the authors have for Wrights work really shows through in every page, both through photographs and text.

I read every single word and closely examined every single photo. I can promise that if you're honestly interested in learning about Wright's work, as well as his place in history and culture, you will not be sorry you bought this book.

The Master Guide to Wright's Greatest Works!
I have been a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture for over 30 years, and have seen many of his finest buildings. No book that I have seen in those years is as good as this one for explaining his life, the development of his architectural style, providing the details of his best work, and showing stunning photographs of exteriors, interiors, and views. If you only buy one book about Mr. Wright, I suggest this one. I have it with me tonight as I begin a one week pilgrimage to his finest work in the midwest. Each night, I will reread the sections about the works that I will be seeing the next day.

The book would be worth buying, just for the photography alone. For those buildings that still exist, brand new color images were made. These are so magnificently reproduced that they actually exceed the appearances of the originals! I don't know of another book of architectural photography where I could make the same statement. It is as though you are seeing the scenes in Wright's eye, as the pure forms that he was seeking to reproduce. Also, you get lots of images. For example, the home and studio in Oak Park, Illinois section displays 10 large color photographs. Naturally, for the buildings that do not still exist, you have only historical photographs, some in black and white. But these are very fine, as well.

Most books with wonderful photographs usually have limited essays. Masterworks is the happy exception. The essays are clear, thoughtful, and extensive. Yet they tie together to tell the story of Mr. Wright's development. So, they are more like chapters in a book rather than stand-alone essays that such books usually inspire. I was particularly pleased with the information about the materials and building methods that Mr. Wright experimented with and used at various stages of his career.

As wonderful as the photographs and essays are, what made the book special for me were the many draft sketches and conceptual diagrams in Mr. Wright's own hand. To see the transition from first sketch to final details was wonderful.

If you know Mr. Wright's work, you will be aware that he often designed his own furniture and sculptures for the buildings, and had craftsmen execute them. You will see many fine examples in the book of these details presented in their most dramatic ways.

The book also has good balance. Many books about Mr. Wright favor his homes, or his famous works, or his public buildings. This one creates a balance over his entire career of all his work. So you get a decent amount about his Usonia period as well as his Prairie years.

Here are the works that are covered in the book: Home and studio in Oak Park, Illinois; William H. Winslow House, River Forest, Illinois; Susan Lawrence Dana House, Springfield, Illinois; Arthur Heurtley House, Oak Park, Illinois; Ward W. Willits House, Highland Park, Illinois; Larkin Company Administrative Buidling, Buffalo, New York; Unity Temple, Oak Park, Illinois; E.E. Boynton House, Rochester, New York; Avery Coonley House, Riverside, Illinois; Meyer May House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Frederick C. Robie House, Chicago, Illinois; Midway Gardens, Chicago, Illinois; Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan; F.C. Bogk House, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Aline Barnsdall House, Los Angeles, California; John Storer House, Hollywood, California; Paul R. and Jean S. Hanna House, Stanford, California; Fallingwater, Mill Run, Pennsylvania; Herbert Jacobs House, Madison, Wisconsin; S.C. Johnson & Son Administrative Building, Racine, Wisconsin; Herbert F. Johnson House, Wind Point, Wisconsin; C. Leigh Stevens House, Yemassee, South Carolina; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York City; Arnold Friedman House, Pecos, New Mexico; Herman T. Mossberg House, South Bend, Indiana; Kenneth Laurent House, Rockford, Illinois; Unitarian Church, Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin; David Wright House, Phoenix, Arizona; William Palmer House, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Isadore J. Zimmerman House, Manchester, New Hampshire; H.C. Price Company Tower, Bartlesville, Oklahoma; Harold Price, Sr. House, Paradise Valley, Arizona; Gerald B. Tonkens House, Amberley Village, Ohio; Beth Sholom Synagogue, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; Don M. Stromquist House, Bountiful, Utah; Marin County Civic Center, San Rafael, California; Taliesin III, Spring Green, Wisconsin; and Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona.

After you finish enjoying this book the first time, ask yourself what has been Mr. Wright's lasting impact on America. How has his work affected your life? How will it affect your grandchildren's lives?

Turn an optimistic view of people living in natural harmony into reality!

Truly awesome!!
A great reference and must have for anyone interested in Wright. Detailed pictures and text.

fallingwater
i want to know about fallingwates.please send for me kay........

just perfect !
for this price you can not find a book of this quality, it has perfect images, drawings, and a deep information about his life and work. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Often alluded to as a 20th-century Leonardo da Vinci, R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) was a visionary of the modern age. As an architect, inventor, engineer, writer, mathematician, and educator, his utopian humanism was evident in the way he devoted his life to designing objects, including buildings and cars, that would solve many of the problems of modern living. He was an early proponent of geodesic domes--semispherical structures made up of incredibly light and extremely strong triangular components--which he recommended for economical and energy-efficient housing and other purposes. An entire chapter in this engaging book is devoted to domes; other chapters cover Fuller's far-reaching ideas on the Dymaxion House, Dymaxion Transportation, Synergetics, and Megastructures. ("Dymaxion" was a term Fuller coined to describe getting the most output from minimal input of energy and materials.) With more than 200 black-and-white photos and drawings, this is a wonderfully nontechnical introduction to and celebration of the man, his remarkable inventions, and their modern-day relevance. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

When do we declare victory in The Industrial Revolution?
Buckminster Fuller has fascinated me since my teens because of his borderline science-fictional ideas and his quest to use technology to provide for 100% of humanity -- which unfortunately is a moving target during an era of population growth.Baldwin's book doesn't quite satisfy my curiosity about the current state of Fuller's posthumous work, since he gives me the impression that it's stuck somewhere back in the post-Hippie 1970's.I certainly hope that the field has advanced further along than the dumbed-down "Whole Earth Catalogs" version which celebrated geodesic model kits and "sustainable" (i.e., voluntarily hardship-inducing) technologies.

What I would like to see in a proper review of Fuller's legacyincludes (a) mathematicians' assessment of his synergetic geometry, which is more radically anti-Euclidean than non-Euclidean in that it rejects the whole Greek paradigm of "abstraction" from physical objects; (b) economists' assessment of his argument that with proper resource use and rational design decisions we really could take care of 100% of humanity; (c) a discussion of why, if Fuller's goal is indeed practical, after 250 years of industrial and technological progress we've devolved from objectively useful work -- making and moving stuff on farms, in mines and in factories -- into to a situation where we hold absurd, time-wasting and nonproductive "jobs" in "services" (which sociologist Daniel Bell characterized as postindustrial "games between persons"), while billions of other humans don't even have the basics for a materially decent life; (d) and why this goal isn't on the agenda of any major politician or other world-recognized and respected figure.

In other words, I find implicit in Fuller's work the question, "When do we declare victory in the Industrial Revolution, and go on our long-overdue vacation that futurists used to call 'The Postindustrial Leisure Society'?"Although Baldwin supplied me with some useful information on "Buckminster Fuller's Ideas for Today," it wasn't quite what I wanted.

okay i haven't actually read this book...
I haven't actually read this book but JB is my professor and a fascinating human. Everyday of class is a treat to listen to his life experiences and stories. He was a student of Fuller and clearly understands his theories and has furthered them in ways that would make Bucky proud.

Nice companion book, very good introduction
Buckyworks is a good overview of many of Fuller's ideas.Seeing the video is a must for those who are the slightest bit intrigued by this book.For those new to Fuller, this introduction rates five stars.For those seekingto learn about Fuller in greater detail, this book earns 3.25 stars. Either way, one will enjoy Baldwins' perspective.

Very interesting book. It makes me want to read it again.
I loved this book. It showed many of Buckminster Fuller's 'interesting' ideas. Many great photos of him with his inventions. It was just all around great. Buy it, you won't soon regret it. ... Read more

Book Description

Virtually every structure that Wright built is represented in this extensive survey of his life's work.His genius at architectural design enable him to work out extremely complex buildings in his head and translate them on to paper in a matter of hours, as the famous story of his design presentation of Falling Water illustrates.His work continues to draw great admiration and interest to this day.His often tempestuous and sometimes tragic life and career are given full coverage in this book.Hundreds of photos, both archival and recent chart his amazing work and influence on all who followed.Thomas A. Heinz is a noted Chicago area architect as well as a writer and leading authority on the work of Wright.Among other works, he has written FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT INTERIORS AND FURNITURE (1994) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

erratum
Photograph of Fallingwater (page 46) is reversed left-right.

Simply the BEST !
BEST single-source reference book...
Of course,excellent photography !

complete for the price
Maybe the most complete book on Frank Lloyd Wright but despite the numerous photos, the quality is equal to the price. Some pictures like Guggenheim Museum are quite poor. Despite this it's a good book especially for the price.

A Great, Big book on all of Wright
Heinz has certainly done it again, written a book, a great, big book with great photos of every one of the buildings and has expanded on this by including a short biographical chapter and more photos and information on Stained Glass and Furniture.

This 450 page book is the first to show all the buildings in color. The text is casual and refresingly non-academic. It talks about the people behind the buildings more than the buildings. How often have you read about the red brick and the six second floor windows, things that you can easily see in the illustration? This biographical information on the clients of Wright is fascinating and holds your attention as do the compelling photos.

I don't know how they can get the price of this book down so low with the great quality of the reproductions but I hope there are more of Heinz's books like this one. On the otherhand, how can there be much more. I read that Heinz has 80,000 photos so I guess we have not seen them all, yet. This one is great and I hope Heinz keeps at it. ... Read more

Book Description

The ultimate monograph on the complete works of Dominique Perrault, the acclaimed architect of the Bibliothque nationale de France. Dominique Perrault was born in 1953 and has won several prizes for his architecture including the Mies van der Rohe Award for European Architecture in 1997. His work is often characterised by an unadorned austerity and transparency combined with the monumental. This can be seen in his Hotel industriel Berlier and the Bibliothque nationale de France in Paris. Perrault's intention that the building, the surroundings and nature should form an enduring unity is revealed in his Velodrome and Olympic Swimming Pool in Berlin. The manner in which Perrault uses materials shows his masterly sense for their technical, optical, tactile and psychological qualities.

This is the first comprehensive monograph on Dominique Perrault's work to date. It presents 30 buildings and projects in detail, using sketches, plans and photographs, most of which were especially taken for this book.This visual material is complemented by fascinating and informative texts.Each of Perrault's works is interpreted by a well-known international architect, architectural historian or architecture critic, making this a stimulating and invaluable book on Perrault's oeuvre. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Dominique Perrault Architect
This is a beautifuly photographed book full of Perrault's great works. It mainly covers more famous pieces, but the details of photographs and drawings are great to see. The libary of course was one of the main focuses of this book, but how could it not be since it is one of the most contraversial projects that he has done. ... Read more

Book Description

The internationally acclaimed architect Rafael Moneo is known to be a courageous architect. His major works include the Houston Museum of Fine Art, Davis Art Museum at Wellesley College, the Stockholm Museum of Modern Art and Architecture, and the Potzdammer Platz Hotel in Berlin. Now Moneo will be known as a daring critic as well. In this book, he looks at eight of his contemporaries--all architects of international stature--and discusses the theoretical positions, technical innovations, and design contributions of each. Moneo's discussion of these eight architects--James Stirling, Robert Venturi, Aldo Rossi, Peter Eisenman, ?varo Siza, Frank Gehry, Rem Koolhaas, and the partnership of Jacques Herzog and Pierre De Meuron--has the colloquial, engaging tone of a series of lectures on modern architecture by a master architect; the reader hears not the dispassionate theorizing of an academic, but Moneo's own deeply held convictions as he considers the work of his contemporaries. More than 500 illustrations accompany the text.

Discussing each of the eight architects in turn, Moneo first gives an introductory profile, emphasizing intentions, theoretical concerns, and construction procedures. He then turns to the work, offering detailed critical analyses of the works he considers to be crucial for an informed understanding of this architect's work. The many images he uses to illustrate his points resemble the rapid-fire flash of slides in a lecture, but Moneo's perspective is unique among lecturers. These profiles are not what Moneo calls the "tacit treatises" that can be found on the shelves of a university library, but lively encounters of architectural equals. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

This is true regional architecture, handsome and useful.
Brick Floors and Cypress Beams in Louisiana

Today, real architects don't do charm, but long before it fell out of style, A. Hays Town, born in 1903, was building Acadian cottages, Creole villas and Spanish courtyards in his native Louisiana. After retiring from his commercial practice in the 1960's, he designed even more of these houses, which are beloved by Southerners. Now everyone can visit 25 of the 500 he built in "The Louisiana Houses of A. Hays Town" (Louisiana State University Press; $39.95). The sparse text is by Cyril E. Vetter, and the 200 photographs by Philip Gould prove that good proportion and materials work. White-painted brick walls with red brick floors under high ceilings with cypress beams work even better. This is true regional architecture, handsome and useful.

A subtle salute to the heritage in homes of A. Hays Town
Town, a South Louisiana native and student of the South, offers a subtle salute to the region's heritage in the 25 homes featured in "The Louisiana Houses of A. Hays Town." Photographs by Philip Gould capture the subtle design and recurring patterns in Hays' design. The text by Cyril E. Vetter and a tribute by Andres Duany is reverential...It is tempting to pause over Gould's photographs of Town's work, treat them like Ken Burns treats Civil War photographs and follow the lines. An alley of crepe myrtles frames the brick archway entrance to a richly detailed courtyard...A weathered fence serves as foreground detail for a shot of a deep, brick-floored porch...These are elements of Town's style. His residences wear it well.

Beautiful photographs of timeless architecture
"The Louisiana Houses of A. Hays Town" combines text by Cyril E. Vetter with photographs by Philip Gould. Together, they celebrate the classic houses designed by Town. The book is full of superb photos of both interiors and exteriors. The book ends with a short essay by Andres Duany, in which he declares, "The long, long career of A. Hays Town is like a bridge that brings forth the traditional architecture of Louisiana to the present generation of builders."

Many picturesque elements recur throughout the book: classical statuary, brick floors, exteriors with a look of natural weathering, 2-level exterior galleries, etc. Some particularly memorable images include the following: Hamilton House's interior courtyard overlooked by a second floor balcony; Westerman House's charming lily pond, made from an old sugar kettle; the rustic wood posts on the porch of the Bonnecaze House; the elegant white pillars of the Godchaux House; and more.

My only disappointment is that floor plans for the homes are not included; they would have, in my opinion, given readers a better sense of these houses. Still, if you love great American architecture, I recommend this book.

If you like Louisiana architecture, you'll love this book!
Hays Town developed his own interpretation of Louisiana-flavored design that is timeless. The pictures are inspiring; both inside and out. His total control over the houses resulted in interesting and functional design both inside and out. I would recommend for anyone thinking about building or buying.

True To Life
As an Interior Designer who grew up in the bayou, I find this book to be right on the money. It's better than I ever expected. Anyone who is trying to learn more about Louisiana living or just wants to reflect on childhood memories would lose themselves in this book. It's easiest to understand how Louisiana Architecture affects the Louisiana lifestyle by seeing photographs. For those poor souls who don't know A. Hays Town's work; you will. His position in great American arcitecture has already been secured! ... Read more

Reviews (6)

imaginary photographs of unbuilt buildings
So I'm looking through this book of photographs of unbuilt projects, and gradually I realize. . . I'm looking at photo. . . . graphs of. . . unbuilt projects. They're great-looking photos, too. There's a building at the Salk Institute in La Jolla which I know isn't there, and another Jewish memorial NYC which I don't think exists, and they look great.

What Kent Larson has done is a simple, powerful, cool idea that took a lot of time, energy, MIT architectural thinking, and SGI computing power to accomplish. Larson first pieced together a reasonable paper version of each structure, then assembled a 3-D virtual model of that structure, then had to choose the best virtual camera angles under the best false sunlight for the best portraits. Larson went as far as using high-resolution photographs of existing Kahn walls to skin these virtual surfaces, and added a patina of wear and tear, just to make it more convincing.

So Larson's work is the result of a lot of a helluva lot of choices. It helped the interpretation that Kahn preferred a limited palette of building materials - like concrete - which helped Larson orchestrate this score. It didn't help Larson that Kahn was known for his close attention to lighting effects. All that lighting took the most sophisticated possible CAD/CAM rendering on SGI hardware.

But the payoff is - shocking. You get bright sunlight, soft counter-reflections, complex reflections in glass (the glass-block Jewish memorial is the showboat piece in that respect). You have to see them to know how much you want to believe them, if that makes any sense. To know how much you'd like to visit these six new Kahn buildings that will never exist. In a weird way, this project advances Kahn's career and reputation, not only from beyond the grave, but lapsing over into architectural cyberspace.

Architecture & computer at it's best ......
Larson has not only demonstrated superb skill in computer rendering but also a much deeper understanding of Kahn's architecture. Reviews by Scully demonstrate the histrorical development of Kahns work & Mitchell has done a fine job of giving the analysis. This book will help in establishing some standard for presenting unbuilt works of architecture in the future.

Format of the book is good in its simplicity although some reference to drawings would have made it a more comprehensive study. Great book ... a collecter's item for all "Kahnian's" across the world.

Beautiful Book!
This is not just another architecture book. It is also a beautiful photography book. It is astounding that these luminous images are of spaces that were never built!

Extraordinary
I have known the eight projects presented in this book for over thirty years, but now realize that my understanding was only superficial. This extraordinary volume reveals aspects of the buildings impossible to perceive from drawings and models: the layering of space, the rich materiality, and - most of all -Kahn's genius for manipulating light. Delightfully, this ambitious and unorthodox study is sure to rattle those who regard Kahn as an unapproachable icon.

Presumptuous
Kent larson presumes he can show a finished Kahn using a computer. As we all know, the building process is evolving. It certainly was for Kahn. Larson's leaden computer graphics shed not even the glimmer of a candle on the genius of Kahn. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

Some surprises await the reader
This book is an interesting juxtaposition of two things--Frank Lloyd Wright's complex dealings with a maverick, and some very rare, beautiful photos.

The first part of this is probably of interest to only Frank Lloyd Wright's fans. But those photographs are something else.

Most people know only the exterior of Hollyhock House--cold, forbidding, monolithic; but are unfamiliar with its breathtakingly beautiful interior--in this book, displayed with some photos in vivid color. In my opinion, the interior of this building is the most beautiful of all Frank Lloyd Wright houses; a masterpiece of interior design in the Prairie Style. As an added bonus, there are some extremely rare photos of Residence B--long-demolished, it was a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, probably unique in its use of mitred wood and corbeled posts. (I've never seen a house like it in my entire life).

The photos make this book a must-read, must-have part of your collection, suitable for display on a coffee table.

The best book on Hollyhock House
As the author of this book, I know that I have brought together a collection of drawings, archival photos, plans and drawings made especially for this publication that document and analyze one of Wright's largest and most famous commissions during the period of the 1920s. His work with Aline Barnsdall was extrememly complicated and covered over a decade in his career. My book puts the Hollyhock House in context of the larger commission for Olive Hill. Drawings are reproduced from several sources, mainly the Wright Archives. Hundreds of letters and documents were consulted. A section of color photographs shows the house in detail with fully furnished interior views. This book is a must for the library of every reader interested in Wright. I hope you enjoy it and value it too. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

During the course of an illustrious 50-year career that took him from the Bauhaus to London, Harvard University, and then New York, architect Marcel Breuer (1902-1981) generated a huge, influential, and remarkably varied body of work. Among his hundreds of buildings are such architectural triumphs as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

This is the first comprehensive study of Breuer's architectural oeuvre. To write it, architectural historian Isabelle Hyman utilized for the first time extensive unpublished archival material and collected hundreds of photographs, plans, and sketches. While Breuer has been best known for his tubular steel chairs and other furniture designs, this book makes clear why he received dozens of architectural honors and awards and was called "a monumental figure among modern architects."
295 illustrations, 35 in full color, 384 pages, 10 1/2 x 10 1/4" ... Read more

Reviews (1)

LA Architect Magazine Book Reviews
In his six-decade career as a Bauhaus teacher and furniture maker, as a collaborator with Walter Gropius in London and Cambridge, and as head of his own office in New York, Breuer deserves to be ranked with the great 20th-century formgivers. And yet he never did achieve the fame of Mies, though he was far more prolific and humane, or of Gropius, though he was a much better designer. If he is remembered today it is for the Whitney Museum in Manhattan, the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, and his modern houses in New England; however, as this comprehensive survey shows, there was much more-mostly forgotten and quite out of fashion. This eloquent, handsomely illustrated volume may help to shift public perceptions and stir admiration for the architect's tough, sculptural take on modernism. ... Read more

Book Description

A new architectural style emerges when similarities of form,material, interest, or attitude in the designs of a group of architects become prevalent enough to earn their own identity. Such is the recently heralded rise of the Pacific Northwest school, best represented by the work of David Miller and Robert Hull Miller/Hull's energy-conscious designs combine with a love of local materials and structural expressiveness to define the essence of the Pacific Northwest style. Here, where climate plays such a critical role, each Miller/Hull building responds with simple but inventive forms, straightforward plans, sensible siting, and careful detailing. Miller/Hull is the only comprehensive monograph of the architects' practice, which spans civic buildings, office and retail structures, educational and institutional projects, and their award-winning houses. Author Sheri Olson traces Miller/Hull's work through twenty-six projects; color photographs and drawings beautifully capture the light and structural simplicity of their work. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

too "image" oriented
I am a huge fan of the work of Miller Hull, however I was disappointed that this monograph lacked a thoughtful depiction of the design process. I would have loved to have seen the architect's sketches, drawings, and personal writing. There were really too many pictures, and the book had the quality of a film strip. The Ten Houses book, which showcases many of this firm's residential projects is a better book if you want to see drawings.

It's all here.
This book provides an excellent cross section of more Miller|Hull work than you've ever seen in the magazines. This book is a significant improvement in representing the full scope of their work compared to the Ten Houses book. The book is layed out so each project gets roughly 3 spreads (or six pages). A majority of the photos are clean, crisp, beautiful images of both interior and exterior. There's typically one page of text and two drawings.
But, I have problems with this book. This book is over polished, over "published", & is more geared as a marketing brochure than a discriptive portfolio of thought and design. First, we all know these guys have done some really great stuff, but do we need to see ALL of it! Some of the less remarkable(i.e.,older, more traditional, more restrained) projects take valuable pages away from some of their more enlightened works. There's no heirachy about their design - everything gets 3 spreads, two token drawings, 500 words of static text, and some nice photos. You should not be able to learn more about a building from a magazine article than you can from the monograph. I want more! How do they think? What do early sketches and ideas look like? Models - I'm sure they've produced some great models! Where are they? This paperback book is a gem at it's current ...price. ... Ounce per ounce:dollar per dollar, the Ten Houses book is a better deal because it provides greater insight to the projects covered. But if you're looking for a blanket covering of Miller|Hull projects with nice photos, this is the way to go. ... Read more

Book Description

Established in 1977, Cutler Anderson Architects (formerly James Cutler Architects) is nationally known for its environmental awareness and attention to detail.Dedicated to design excellence, the firm has received six National Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects and over 30 other national and regional awards.

Cutler Anderson Architects is currently involved in many projects both nationally and internationally, including residences in Mallorca, Spain, the Napa Valley, California, the Hudson River Valley in New York, the Big Island of Hawaii, the Capital Hill Library in Seattle, Washington, and commercial and mixed use projects in Bainbridge Island, Washington. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

Overpriced and disappointing
Since the author touts himself as a descendant of Stanford White, one doesn't expect much in the way of critical perspective from the text of this book. More disappointing are the contemporary photographs - although reproduced at enormous size, they are oddly flat and lifeless. For a better book at a better price, check out "The Architecture of McKim, Mead & White in Photographs, Plans and Elevations"

Masterworks Still Vital to the American Landscape
When captains of industry like Morgan, Astor, or Vanderbilt chose to build grand edifices they engaged the services of the architecture firm McKim, Mead, and White. During the firms most inspired period (1879-1915), it built nearly 1,000 commissions, including many famous and important buildings that are still vital parts of the landscape and include: The Morgan Library, Boston Symphony Hall, Columbia University, and the American Academy in Rome.

Written by Samuel G. White (great grandson of Sanford White) and Elizabeth White, McKim, Mead, and White: The Masterworks documents non-residential works of America's greatest classical architects. This new book showcases twenty-four public buildings in remarkable detail. The majority of the buildings included in The Masterworks are still in use however several notable examples; Madison Square Garden, Penn Station, 4 pavilions at the World's Columbian Exposition, and Madison Square Presbyterian Church were demolished long ago.

The architects spared no expense when they created their masterworks and it is apparent that Rizzoli Publishers spared no expense in producing this lovely book. Contemporary color photographs by Jonathan Wallen document the buildings as they are today capturing the totality of their grandeur as well as their finest details. Fascinating archival photographs illustrate how the buildings appeared were when their doors first opened. And almost every building profile is augmented with elevation drawings, sketches, watercolors, and other rare background material. An informative text accompanies each profile. It sheds light on the personalities of the architects, their sources of inspiration, the personalities who commissioned the buildings, and the times when they lived and worked.

The Rule of Taste
One of the most handsome books on architecture of recent years, beautifully written in a style that is concise without being in the least off-hand. You may find yourself mourning the passing of an age when so much distinguished architecture enhanced our cities, and mourning equally the fact of so much of it being taken for granted (and in many cases, heartlessly demolished)

One regrets, however, that the book's designers have gone the fashionable route of having its pages printed in a nearly matte-finish.
Rather than being the velvety ideal, here the photographs seem compromised by this technique. A good example is the photograph of the library at the University Club,( New York). What must be the most complexly rich and improbably Italianate room in North America comes off looking disapointingly murky and flat.( The author/photographer's previous book, Houses of Mc Kim Mead White, while employing the same approach, was rather better printed.)
But this is a quibble; the book is ravishing.

A lavish, beautiful book.
This is one of the most gorgeously photographed and inspiring works on American architecture available. Page after page of elaborately embellished interiors await the eye; a true feast of beauty, and a "shame on you" to the priests of pre-fab who have dominated our architectural heritage since McKim Mead and White. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (3)

simply written & presented but effective
This is a massive book but readers would be glad to know unlike other architecture books that are filled with academics' essays, pictures take precedent in this instance. Principle photography of this book was taken by Lourdes Legorreta, the daughter of the great architect himself (who happened to be an architect in her own rite & so does Ricardo's son, Victor) & therefore, naturally, she would have empathy of the best angles to be taken of all buildings featured in this book. The preface was written by Ricardo himself & it is complemented by poems that gave us insight of what architecture meant to him. Then, we move on to a chapter dedicated to discussions of elements of architecture such as wall, light, scale, geometry, emotion, humanity. Suffice to say that every & each elements mentioned are just as important & they are intertwined with one another. Subsequently, there was the interview with the great man himself. There were discussions about his relationships with Jose Villagran & Luis Barragan, who seemed to have influenced him quite significantly which he concurred. He described both architects as chalk & cheese. One of them was a perfectionist, emphasised upon the importance of knowing how to build on top of knowing how to design. Because Jose was a Rationist and that all his buildings were functional and anonymous but devoid of spirituality, Ricardo started to wander elsewhere for other enlightenment. That, he found in Luis Barragan, who reminded him the importance of landscaping, as one cohesiveness with the building (I.M Pei believed in the same ideal). Ricardo also joked about how academics interpreted Luis' works in all seriousness and he's adamant that if Luis were alive now, he would have laughed at them all as he designed buildings for the passion and luv of them without any complications of -isms. Then, there were also discussions of several artists that influenced his works, his children's involvement in the same industry, his origin. He also took the opportunity to correct the public's perception about his huge dosage of bold colours. He explained that he isn't using the colours for the sake of using them but using them to emphasise different planes, making the mass changes thru the manipulation of light at different time of the day, and along the way, the users' emotion are taken to yet another height. He couldn't reiterate more that without happiness, what's the point of architecture. Ricardo has this philosophy, quoted by Gropius, which was quite inspiring and something that he takes to his heart, "keep working as if you were going to live forever because if your goals are good, somebody will pick up your flag and keep progressing". And the rest of the book is dedicated in showing Ricardo's testimony or contribution towards architecture: bold colours (& some subtle ones depending upon the clients' requirements) buildings with mass, walls that contained the mystery beyond the walls & thus, enticed people to explore deeper within, forms to excite & stimulate the senses. To complement the pictures, there are floor plan and brief notes or quotations by Ricardo. To finish the book nicely, there is also his biography (doesn't say that he's Year 2000 AIA Gold Medal Award Winner), list of projects (that doesn't include the work that he's done in Japan & other latter works), select bibliography, & project credits (which provided the readers with everything you need to know about his projects). Worthwhile reading. Highly recommended.

A useful study guide disguised as a coffee table book
I first came to know the work of Legorreta on a visit to San Antonio & it's new library. The loud colors and monumental scale struck me as odd and distracting in a library setting, but it definitely was a building that made you look twice and want to explore it more. Soon after, I moved to DFW and lived a stones throw away from Solona (the IBM complex). Here is where I learned the true beauty and intelligence of Legorreta's designs and his special notice of the individual and their experience. The colors no longer struck me as loud, but as vibrant and cheerful. This book embraces and shows off this enthusiasm and intelligence VERY WELL. This is a very attractive book with lots of pictures that do justice to Legorreta's palette of colors. There is some narative for each project giving the basic information along with the main design considerations. Also along with each project is a partial floorplan. This is most useful in the study of what is happening in the pictures. When you find an element or view in a picture that intrigues you, the floorplan let's you better understand how that effect was achieve and how it interacts within the context of its adjoining spaces. This is especially important in understanding Legorreta's use of entry sequences and volumes. This also allows you to study how he uses water, stones, and other features in ways that can be experienced from multiple vantage points to create multiple perspectives. If you have experienced Legorreta's Architecture in person and want to understand more about the places you've been, or if you want to see new places that you WILL WANT to experience, then I whole heartedly recommend this book. Buy it, and Enjoy it.

a beautiful photographic essay on a very talented architect
beautiful photos and thoughtful text covering some of the work of, arguably, mexico's finest architect. this book does a excellent job of capturing the serene spirit of legoretta's work - having just returned from a week at his hotel in ixtapa, mexico, i can speak to the power, spirit and beauty of legoretta's work, and to the success with which this book conveys these feelings. ... Read more