Amazon.com

Who are the world's most exciting up-and-coming architects? 10 x 10_2 has 100 definitive answers, provided by 10 influential curators, educators and architects—including Zaha Hadid, Toshiko Mori, and Kurt Foster. Each featured architect is allotted four generously sized, photo-rich pages, with concise yet informative texts. The projects are distinguished by a rare combination of inventiveness, thoughtful use of materials and sheer beauty. In Zurich, Christian Kerez stacked and cantilevered solid concrete shear walls between large expanses of glass to create a multifamily residence of pristine structural integrity. In Minneapolis, Vincent James Associates Architects endowed a boathouse with the rhythm of repeated trussed beams, inspired by the activity of rowing. SPBR Arquitetos' glass-and-wood dental clinic in São Paulo features a transparent facade, designed to win the trust of neighborhood residents. In Tokyo, Tezuka Architects designed the space-saving Wall-less House, a steel-frame structure supported only by the central utility core and two columns. Among the more futuristicapproaches are ONL's glass-and-metal highway sound barrier housing an industrial building in The Netherlands; New York-based Evan Douglas' fluid architectural elements, created by digital morphing; and Beijing-based Fake Design's dramatically scaled geometric stone formations for a riverside development in China. As a stimulating bonus, each member of the curatorial team offers an annotated list of 10 personal cultural influences, which range from John Berger's classic, Ways of Seeing, to films by Wim Wenders and the architecture-rich city of Chicago. Biographies of the 100 architects are also included. The only drawback of this splendid book, the second in a series, is its eccentric typeface. Stretched across overly long lines of body text and captions, it makes for eye-straining reading. --Cathy Curtis

Images from 10 X 10 _ 2

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful book
I was thrilled when I received this book. Being an architect myself, I appreciated the excellent photos and disussion of the featured persons in my profession. A wonderful book that will be a worthwhile read for anyone with an admiration or even mild curiosity in the subject. Highly recommend. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In this fanciful volume, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, founder of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (O.M.A.), both analyzes and celebrates New York City. By suggesting the city as the site for an infinite variety of human activities and events--both real and imagined--the essence of the metropolitan lifestyle, its "culture of congestion" and its architecture are revealed in a brilliant new light. "Manhattan," Koolhaas writes, "is the 20th century's Rosetta stone . . . occupied by architectural mutations (Central Park, the Skyscraper), utopian fragments (Rockefeller Center, the U.N. Building), and irrational phenomena (Radio City Music Hall)." Filled with fascinating facts, as well as photographs, postcards, maps, watercolors, and drawings, the vibrancy of Koolhaas's poignant exploration of Gotham equals the heady, frenetic energy of the city itself. Anyone who loves New York will want to own this book. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

best koolhaas ever, man
koolhaas is a bit over-the-top for me, but this I think is is best work. it's worth checking out if only for the story of coney island. once you get past blisteringly pretentious phrases like "coney island is a fetal manhattan", you'll find it gloriously entertaining as both a narrative and theoretical work.

the culture of congestion
This is by far Koolhaas's most accessible work, as it is rooted so clearly in detail from the city's past. Further, the book is simply brilliant. His take on urban history is to Jane Jacobs what Socrates is to common sense. New York is a special case of modernism that sprang from a special constellation of poltiical and technological forces that collectively create a cultural "big-bang" at the turn of the century. Read it. Blow your mind.

A great starting point.
An easily digestible read filled with delicious facts about the big apple. This book can change the way one sees New York forever. Be it from a street level, or from an intellectual level. "Delirious New York" helps to rediscover Manhattan, and it helps to discover the idea of Manhattan in places far away from "The City".

This publication is a perfect starting point for any exploration into the past or the future of urbanism, architecture, and of course New York City and the people who helped to shape this ever growing marvel.

A must read, and a perfect gift for anyone who is even remotely touched by New York.

Mandatory Reading
I originally read the first edition of this book when it came out in the 70s. It completely transformed (or formed) my thinking about the city, the processes by which a city develops and grows, and the innate playfulness of the city as a form. Despite its deceptive simplicity, I believe that this book will emerge as one of the essential texts of the twentieth century on urban design. Read it!

Compelling History of Manhattan
A romp through New York's sometimes jaded history with a view to uncover the roots of the modern metropolis and the singular element devised by architects to inspire (amuse?) the masses - the Skyscraper. The book looks at Coney Island as the testing ground of the Skyscaper, Manhatten as further exploration of the Skyscaper which is trialed in the name of symbols of a propserous future, economic rationale and pushing the envelope to its limits and finishes with Office of Metropolitian Architecture's own experimental projects in New York. A very compelling history of a complex city. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

HAMPTONS HAVENS offers readers a glimpse behind the hedgerows of the Hamptons on Long Island, New York. The photographs are drawn from the archives of Hamptons Cottages and Gardens magazine and feature 24 homes and gardens that vary greatly in architecture and interior design. Every home in the book, from cozy cottage to grand estate, is a testament to the enormous breadth and natural beauty of the seaside region.

Accompanying the spectacular photographs are engrossing stories, discussing the architecture, the fascinating provenance of the furniture and heirlooms that decorate the homes, and personal family lore. There are plenty of firsthand quotes from the homeowners and decorators, who lovingly recount how they initially discovered the area and who discuss the story of how their style and personal lives evolved over the years to create homes and gardens ranging from the traditional and classic to the whimsical and eclectic. This handsome book captures the essence of one of the most fabled and exclusive areas in the United States. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Whether you are planning to build a contemporary-style home or are simply intrigued by the extraordinary innovation of domestic architecture today, Modern House Three, by Raul A. Barrenche, offers a brilliant survey of the best of the best. Third in a series initiated in 1993, the current volume offers stunning photographs and elegant descriptions of 33 houses in 15 countries. Some of these projects are by big-name architects (Tadao Ando, Richard Meier, Glenn Murcutt, John Hejduk); most are by designers you may never have heard of. The book is organized in three sections that focus on three distinct issues— the integration of architecture with landscape, re-imagining the way people live in their homes, and new materials and energy-saving technologies. Among the book's discoveries is the Carter Tucker House by Sean Godsell Architects, a weekend retreat in Australia, discretely clad with cedar wood battens that rise up like awnings to reveal a transparent facade of sliding glass doors. And the Koehler House by Julie Snow Architects, two bold horizontal planes with huge expanses of glass that are dramatically anchored to a rocky outcropping in eastern Canada. While most of the domiciles are expansive, Small House was designed by Kazuyo Sejima for a tiny plot in Tokyo. Perched on a 646-square-foot plot, this glass-and-metal capsule accommodates a family of three by limiting each of the four floors to a single function. The variety and inventiveness exhibited in this book is extraordinary. There are houses that reveal the extraordinary effects of natural light, employ unusual materials and pioneer new ways of organizing domestic space. A straw bale house in London by Sarah Wigglesworth Architects uses recycled concrete wall fragments and metal coils to absorb the vibrations from passing trains. A house by Kengo Kuma & Associates for a site near the Great Wall of China has been crafted inside and out with delicate stalks of bamboo. For browsing, dreaming or active research, Modern House Three is tangible proof that contemporary architects are infusing new technologies and innovative uses of space with an equal emphasis on sheer beauty. --Cathy Curtis ... Read more

Book Description

The Spanish-style architecture of Southern California's seaside estates, canyon villas, and courtyard bungalows is central to its romantic image, one that has traditionally evoked a Mediterranean paradise. The details of this inexhaustively rich style-- ornate wrought iron and wood balconies, colorful tiles, graceful arches, and palm-dotted gardens-- reflect the region's Spanish, Mexican, and southwestern history and culture as well as its popular outdoor lifestyle.

This book showcases Southern California's most historically significant and beautifully preserved Spanish-revival houses of this century. Twenty-one private homes built between 1922 and 1991 are featured in stunning color photography that captures exterior and interior architectural details, Spanish and Mexican antique furnishings and folk art, and lush landscaping and tiled fountains. Among these are the Adamson House in Malibu, with its extraordinary collection of custom tile from Malibu Potteries; the contemporary Greenberg House in Brentwood, by Ricardo Legorreta; The Andalusia Courtyard Apartments in Hollywood; and Casa Pacifica, the former home of Richard Nixon, overlooking the ocean in San Clemente. Brief narratives highlight the history of each building and its design influences on the Spanish-revival movement in California.

The Spanish revival grew in popularity around the turn of the century when many young American architects traveled to Spain, Italy, and Mexico, bringing back sketches and, as the foreword notes, romantic memories of "graceful foliage...small Indian towns...tiled dome and rococo towers." Hundreds of Spanish-style houses, apartments, and bungalows were built throughout Southern California in the following decades, many of them commissioned for movie stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino.

The Spanish revival is marked by two main phases: the mission revival, which incorporates the white stucco, cloistered patios, tile roofs, and exposed-beam ceilings typical of eighteenth-century California missions; and the more elaborate Mediterranean revival, influenced by Spanish and Italian Renaissance sources, eighteenth-century Spanish plateresque and churrigueresque forms, and Moorish-Andalusian styles.
... Read more

Reviews (9)

fantastic book for both professionals or coffee table
Beautiful pictures depict romantic spaces with clear details, they helps me as an architect to re-create the Spanish living environment with many examples from different projects. The 20 houses in this book are gorgeous and inspiring -whether you are looking for ideas or merely relax reading. This is not a book showing only pieces of details for decorator use, it's an awesome architectural book as well as a perfect collection for my coffee table.

A MUST!
One of those books that is just full of great images of the Spanish Revival/Moorish style architecture of So. California. While not heavy on text, this book is a very important visual reference for designers, etc. who want to see how it used to be done. Many photos are of the interiors, but most are of the gardens.

If interested in the glazed Malibu tiles seen throughout the book, check out "Ceramic Art of the Malibu Potteries: 1926-1932" by Ronald L. Rindge.

Gorgeous book!
This is a gorgeous book full of color photos and description of Spanish Colonial Revival style architecture in Southern California. The beginning of the book provides a review of the style with information on stylistic influences and historical setting. As another reviewer mentioned, the homes in this book are mostly huge, and it really would have been nice to see some well-done modest homes (i.e. the 1000 or 1600 square foot variety). Nevertheless, this is the ONLY full-color book I have been able to find on this style, and I do think it provides helpful elements for use in smaller houses, but one needs to be imaginative to find them. If you are living in a smaller house, you can't just lift a whole room out of this book. For example, the cover photo features a huge staircase and fountain. It is very difficult (and would be inappropriate) to duplicate this type of thing in a smaller home, but I might notice that the decorative tile on the stair risers and the saltillo tile on the steps could be used on the steps up to my own modest front porch, for example. We have used a number of individual elements from this book in our own home, and we've used the photos to get an idea of what "works" and what doesn't in this style. I do really wish, though, that there was a companion book that showed how this style can be used to advantage in smaller homes, since the vast majority of homes of this style are in the 1000-2000 square foot range.

Overall a beautiful and helpful book, and I do think it was worth the money.

Works of Art
I asked for and received the book for Xmas. My driving force was the inspiration and ideas its photos evoked from me the first time I opened the pages. If you like California Spanish architecture the book is superb. The tile work, architecture and iron exemplify some of the best examples I have seen. My inspiration will hopefully translate into the renovations I complete throughout L.A.

Classy Coffee Table Book
Nice photography--examples of what architects can do for people with plenty of money. The adaptations are ingenious but provide little inspiration for Spanish-style homes of 1200 to 1600 square feet, for smaller families or retirees, which is what this reader was looking for. ... Read more

Book Description

The simple beauty of Japanese architecture and design has inspired many of the world's top architects and designers-Bruno Taut, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Terence Conran, to name just a few. The grace and elegance of the Japanese sensibility is reflected in both modern and traditional Japanese homes, from their fluid floor plans to their use of natural materials. In The Japanese House, renowned Japanese photographer Noboru Murata has captured this Eastern spirit with hundreds of vivid color photographs of 15 Japanese homes. As we step behind the lens with Murata, we're witness to the unique Japanese aesthetic-to the simple proportions modeled after the square of the tatami mat; to refined, rustic decor; to earthy materials like wood, paper, straw, ceramics, and textiles. This is a glorious house-tour readers can return to again and again-for ideas, inspiration, or simply admiration. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Beautiful Rooms, Art, and Arch. Detail
Ranks with "Japanese Style" in terms of capturing the beauty of Japanese aesthetic in interior and architectural detail. Houses depicted were of various periods, mostly traditional, and were actual homes as lived in today. Also, rooms display art, screens, indigo fabric and ikibana in real setting.

Ten stars And has proven very valuable to us...
Awesome book that is proving to be very helpful as we design and get ready to build a very "Zen Danish" style home that isn't at all the cluttered American styled home. And I love the photos that demonstrate how to have things..and have them out of site. And I simply love the clean open style of the homes which is also what we are looking for.

This is a book for those who are sincerely interested in authentic Japanese home design, and not for someone who want a bit of Japanese in their American home!

If you truly want minimalist and traditional . . .
Have too many empty rooms? Than this is the book for you. I will agree that this book was beautiful and interesting in historic architectural aspect, but if you are looking to incorporate some asian design themes into your current residence, I wouldn't recommend it. I found this book to be many examples of the same thing - an almost empty room with a screened doorway. There were some interesting gardens, but unless you are actually planning on throwing away all of your furniture (or you don't have any yet) I found it not very beneficial. Nothing wrong with this book - but felt it necessary to point this out to potential buyers as the book is appropriately pricey and the ideas hard to adapt to an already western home.

A MUST HAVE!
This book is awesome! For anyone interested in decorating in a traditional Japanese style, as I was, or just an admirer of Japanese culture, this book is a MUST HAVE!

Beautiful pictures and enough detail written to explain why things are designed the way they are...

Pure Eye Candy!
This book shows 13 houses ranging from "the teahouse" over "the traditional inn" and a "samurai residence" to "Japanese modern". It is mainly a photo book, the text is sparse. Each house gets two pages of introductory text, the rest is comments to the pictures. These are of the highest quality in terms of resolution, lighting, layout and print quality. It's easy to understand that "Noboru Murata is one of Japan's most accomplished interior photographers" (quote from the back flap). The main layout of this book is that there is one big picture covering one page (or more) completely, while the opposing page has up to three smaller pictures and the describing text.

If you are looking to get detailed information about the what, where and why of Japanese architecture with drawings, footprints and descriptions of styles or historical context you might have to look somewhere else. But if you want to immerse into the beauty deriving from the simple aesthetics of Japanese houses, than this book is for you. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

the most beautiful book in the world
Really. The listing here doesn't do this 2 volume set justice. If you have any interest at all, don't hesitate, this is the most beautiful thing ever!

how
both books are wonderful!!!!!! it's a mix between travel & interiors. another taschen-you-must-have-it !!!!! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (4)

A Real Joy
My family and I recently bought a farmhouse in Provence, something we've been dreaming of doing for a very long time. It's been a joy to restore our new home, but even more of a joy to simply live in it and enjoy it. This book has been invaluable to us in the restoration of our home, and, even if it hadn't, the 200 full color photos of 16 gorgeous Provencal homes make it worth owning.

Bright yellow and bright blue are the traditional colors of Provence and we've used them in our home for everything from the kitchen tiles to the wash on the stone exterior to the fabric that covers our furniture. Like many of the homes in the book, we've let old timber beams remain exposed and a jumble of copper pots and pans, as well as fresh herbs from our garden, hang on a pot rack in our kitchen.

Like the farmhouses in the book, our house has huge stone fireplaces in the living room, the bedroom and the kitchen. We've learned to use these fireplaces the way they should be used and I'm sure they'll come in very handy this winter (here in the mountains of Provence, it gets cold, unlike the warmer winter temperatures of the coast).

THE PROVENCAL HOUSE not only explores traditional farmhouses like ours, it details town houses and manor houses as well and you can find a wealth of styles to choose from, from traditional to very contemporary (the traditional, however, has been my choice).

You don't have to be a resident of Provence like I am to enjoy THE PROVENCAL HOUSE. Francophiles in other countries can learn how to decorate their homes in the Provencal style, a style that is both comfortable and lovely.

I love this book. I've found it informative, helpful and a real joy just to look at.

great inspirational book
I can be critical of design and house books after seeing so many, so it's a relief to finally be able to give a book five stars. The photographs are authentic and detail everything from interior to exterior, including gardens. The essence of French provincal style is captured and distilled here. The writing is clever and concise, although you'll hardly notice it because the pictures are so brilliant. This is an essential book if you're trying to capture the French provencal look in house design or interior design. This book gives you an authentic source reference.

Beautiful Book!
I'm an architect with the task of designing a "French" style home. This is one of several books I ordered to use as references. The appeal of this book for me is that it includes exterior architecture, interior design/decor, & gardens/landscapes. It is extensively illustrated with color photos & captions (my kind of book...). I can't critique the text because I have not yet had time to read it. But I can't get enough of the pictures!

Breathtaking
I picked this book up from the table of new releases at a local bookstore, sat in a chair, and didn't move except to turn the pages for the next 90 minutes. In more than 200 color photographs, The Provencal House explores the beauty of 16 Provencal homes - interior and exterior details, uses of color playing off the landscape, curves and arches and doorways. It's a beautiful celebration of an architectural way of life rooted in the land and its traditions. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Magnificent!
I concur with others who reviewed this book and give it top billing! The photos are exquisitely clear and are a good representation of what the city offers. The text is quite complete, although I, too, would have liked to have seen more on Venetian glass. Another fabulous collection for those who love the jewel of a city or for any lover of fine art and architecture.

Venice Art & Architecture
I borrowed these books from a friend. I could not believe my eyes. They are most fantastic! I have ordered a set for myself. I recommend them highly!

Slightly lacking on the art side of things
The book consists of two books in a slipcase, and given its unusually large format and high quality paper, it weighs a ton. The weight is however well substantiated by the contents! The progression is chronological, right from the beginnings of Venice in Volume I, to modern items at the end of Volume II. The architecture side of things is covered by hundreds of top quality photographs of buildings inside and outside, as well as drawings, old photographs, and building plans. As for the art, there are countless clear representations of the masterpieces of the city. Having been in the city a few times, this book adds so much value, firstly by showing me reminders of the places and objects I have seen, and secondly by exposing the interiors of buildings usually closed to the casual visitor.

The reason why I rated this four stars instead of five, is because the book does not give as much coverage to Venice's art museums as I feel it should. Sure, the contents of the art museums were in large part not manufactured by Venetian artists, but all this art now forms part of Venice on account of having been in its museums for decades. Understandably, however, that would probably require another two volumes! Another area that was perhaps not covered sufficiently is that of glass. After all, Venetian glass is world famous, and it deserved more than a short chapter.

Overall however, this is the sort of book one would expect to find in the reference section of a top class library, and yet the price makes it affordable for your own home. It is also very much a scholarly work, filled with details in the text section. It is thus perfect for both those who want to look at the stunning pictures, and those who want to really get into the story behind it all. You will not be disappointed, and I recommend this work without reservation.

venice: art & architecture
a very wonderful book for people who love art and architecture especially for a wonderful and enchanting city such as venice. Through this book one is able to be transported in time and view its art and architecture one that cannot do in even the most dedicated of travelers to this fascinating city.

Stunningly beautiful pictures w/ intelligent writing
This book captures the past and present beauty of Venice, one of the unique cities of Europe. Venetian history is as interesting as its art is beautiful. Both are presented effectively in this gorgeous two-volume oversized book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Sumner Greene and brother Henry Mather Greene defined the Arts & Crafts movement in America. From their offices in Pasadena, they created "Ultimate Bungalows," finely crafted homes characterized by the integration of architecture and interior design into a harmonious whole. Though both brothers had long and distinguished careers, the highpoint of their work came between 1903 and 1909, when they created such lasting masterpieces as The Gamble House in Pasadena, the Pratt House in Ojai, and the Thorsen House in Berkeley. Greene & Greene: Masterworks presents their work in this era in loving detail. Bruce Smith, who wrote the text for the book, is an authority on the Arts & Crafts movement, and is currently working on a biography of Charles Greene. Alexander Vertikoff's lush photography is the perfect accompaniment to the text, beautifully capturing the sweeping grandeur of each house as well as capturing the subtle details that make each Greene & Greene home a treasure. After an overview of the Arts & Crafts movement and a brief biography of the of the brothers, the book turns its attention to various details that characterized the brothers' style. In the section on entryways, for instance, they point out that

Rarely in a Greene and Greene house is there an abrupt division between inside and out. One enters by transitions, in stages. Brick steps my lead up from the garden to a porch. Shelter comes from a gabled overhang or sleeping porch that extends from above--one is covered but still able to feel the breeze. The pattern in the door's art glass evokes the natural world being left behind. Stepping inside, one still does not feel totally enclosed; across the entrance hall are doorways framing a vista of gardens beyond.

Reviews (7)

Greene Giants!
This is my first introduction to Greene & Greene's work. If your a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright or the Art's & Crafts movement you will be very pleased at what you see inside this book. Lots of history on Greene & Greene and lots of beautiful colour photos. This book should inspire any architect and it also makes a great coffee table book. A good investment for your library.

A magnificent introduction to two great architects
The Greene brothers were architects who designed in the Arts and Crafts style. Like Frank Lloyd Wright, their style was so distinctive that they are not considered as examples of a type, but as architects whose style stands by itself. Unlike Frank Lloyd Wright, the Greene brothers' practice was almost completely limited to personal residences. This has probably limited the reach of their reputation. Outside of the Gamble house, which has been made into a museum, the work of the Greene brothers is generally not accessible to the public. All but one of their houses was in California, most of them in Pasadena. One wonders how well known Wright would be had he never designed the Guggenheim, or the Marin County Civic Center, or if he had never ventured outside of Chicago.

This book addresses the problem by taking us inside twenty-five examples of Greene and Greene's work. The text is accompanied by the breathtaking photography of Alexander Vertikoff. I own a large collection of books on the architecture of this period, and those illustrated by Vertikoff stand in a class by themselves. His photos are magnificent, doing justice to the material he portrays. I doubt if there is a finer photographer working in this field today.

With photos like these, it would have been easy to turn this volume into nothing more than a glorious picture book. Instead, Bruce Smith provides an engaging story of the careers of the two architects. The best writing is found in an extensive introduction, where the author discusses the Greene and Greene style in general terms. One can see at a glance how the style starts with Arts and Crafts. Indeed, there is a wealth of Stickley furniture in many of the houses. It is equally obvious how the two went beyond the plain craftsman designs so common further east. The Japanese influence was much stronger here, and the craftsmanship in the wood joinery was much more refined. There is more woodworking than carpentry here. The woods included Burmese teak, Honduras mahogany, Port Orford cedar, oak, maple and redwood. In some cases, the brothers were able to design furniture, landscaping and gardens to go with the architecture.

For the remainder of the book, we get a tour through twenty-five houses designed by Greene and Greene. Each house is presented in the order of its design and construction, with a history of the entire house to the present day. In some cases, this includes restoration after some abuse. Some of these houses were created on a budget; others were done with no apparent limits on the imagination of the architects. All are works of art, created as a labor of love by all concerned. For anyone unfamiliar with the work of Greene and Greene, this is an excellent introduction. For those who are already captivated, this book is a must, if only for those magnificent pictures.

Greene with Envy
As an aspiring woodworker with apparently very little natural talent, I can only view Greene & Greene's work with a mixture of awe and jealousy. While I find much of what Wright has done to be at times inaccessible and dated (primarily because so many others have attempted to copy or incorporate his style into theirs - and failed miserably by the way), the Greene's work is absolutely gorgeous, and would fit in with many current styles.....But then again you all know that. The question is why buy this particular book?

If you are looking for wonderful, full-page color photographs this is it. The first 50 pages are devoted to the G&G style; there is a page or two devoted to Materials, Joinery, Lighting etc. Descriptions are quite brief, and include a couple of pics.

The next 170 pages are devoted to 25 different houses with narration about the original design process, the ensuing history, and the current state. Again tons of color pics, and lots of shots of the furniture they designed to go with the particular house.

If you are looking for an in-depth discussion, check out Randall Makinson's "Architecture as a Fine Art/Furniture and Related Designs. These two books (now available in one edition) cover the G&G history in detail, but have less photos (many in black and white). They do have many front on center views of the furniture (as well as early drawings) so if you are interested in building their furniture, these books make a suitable companion to the one being reviewed.

I love this book!!!
Those of us that love G & G have to love this book. The pictures are just great and I have to pick-up the book every time I see it. If you want to know why G & G are so loved, just read this book and you will be heading down the slippery-slope too! Their homes are Craft, made Art.

The Greenes literally turned living spaces into works of art
For those of us fortunate enough to live in Southern California and actually see a Greene and Greene work of art first hand, we know that there is nothing to hold against it in comparison. Nothing, this is, until the publishing of this wonderful book through the collaborative efforts of Bruce Smith and Alexander Vertikoff. For as long as I can remember I have found the Greene & Greene homes in the Pasadena, California area to be the most uniquely beautiful structures imaginable. Two years ago my wife and I toured The Gamble House, and were overwhelmed by the workmanship, the level of detail and the thoughfulness incorporated into its construction. There is nothing like physically being inside a Greene & Greene home. Smith and Vertikoff provide us with second best; the opportunity to see the inside of these works of art. The exterior views and the interior photographs provide a wonderful insight into these magnificant structures. Bruce Smith provides the reader with just enough description as to leave one wanting more. My concluding reaction to their superb effort is to want more. More photographs, more narrative, diagrams of the homes, and understanding owners willing to open their homes, their charges, to a public filled with appreciation for this type of beauty, so seldom experienced. ... Read more

Book Description

Christopher Gray's engaging tales of historic Gotham locales transport readers back in time for a stroll through the streets of old New York. The noted architectural historian, who writes the popular "Streetscapes" column in The New York Times, here gathers 190 of the best-loved of those columns to captivate readers with his wealth of information about sites and buildings and the intriguing lives of the people connected to them.

From the Bridge Cafe (New York's oldest surviving bar) on Water Street to the Revolutionary War-era Morris-Jumel Mansion in upper Manhattan, Gray turns the spotlight on both obscure and familiar landmarks, and each of his witty, urbane essays is illustrated with at least one period photograph. Gray's vast enthusiasm and love for New York's architecture is evident in all that he writes, as is his concern for the preservation of the city's architectural treasures. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Wonderful description of the BIG APPLE
As a New Yorker all I can say is this is the best book I've read about the city.

What a wonderful pleasure!
A tremendous gift to anyone who loves the history of Manhattan. Gray writes well, his information is military in both precision and accuracy and the anecdotes alone are worth the price of the book.

My only wish is that one day, after he retires, a work of all his columns will be published. Perhaps the title "Gray's Anatomy" would suffice.

A Wonderful Book
Christopher Gray is a New York Treasure. Every Sunday when I get the NY times, I read his column first. If you're a die-hard New Yorker, or wish to be, don't miss this great compilation. ... Read more

Book Description

Mexican architect Luis Barragan (1902-88) was one of the twentieth century’s most creative designers and one of its best-known architects. Self-taught, he achieved international renown for his remarkable personal artistic vision. Using vegetation, water, primary geometric forms, and vivid colors, Barragan created a poetic and painterly yet elegantly simple architectural style that transformed the Mexican building tradition into an abstract architectural language. This revised edition of our best-selling monograph – the first comprehensive compilation of Barragan’s work (102 buildings and 12 additional projects) – contains new photographs and an updated bibliography. Its intelligent analyses and superb illustrations demonstrate the complexity and scope of this genius, as both an architect and a landscape designer.Barragan – The Complete Works collects over 300 illustrations including Barragan’s drawings; photographs of his work; re-drawn plans, elevations, and scale models of important projects; texts by Alvaro Siza, Antonio Toca, and J. M. Buendia, as well as an essay by Barragan himself; and an unabridged transcription of his Pritzker Prize acceptance speech. this book is the essential compendium on the work of this great master architect. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Barragan: The Complete Works
I extolled the first edition of this definitive, splendidly illustrated survey when it appeared in 1996, and urge you to add it to your shelves if you haven't already. Luis Barragan (1902-88) was a master of earthy yet sophisticated buildings that had nothing to do with style and look better with every year that passes. This revised edition is little changed, but for an update of the bibliography and a perceptive essay by Antonio Ruiz Barbarin, from which I learned that Barragan was an almost exact contemporary of Marcel Breuer, Lucio Costa, Arne Jacobsen, and Ivan Leonidov. Truly a vintage year! (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)

be inspired
for a sensitive humane and theatrical perception of space color and interaction of mater and living creatures is the legacy of a great muster, his buildings as elements of a living construction interact with the elements of life, viewing the composition is relaxing and inspiring.

Great photographs of works by Mexico's Greatest Architect.
Luis Barragan's gift to twentieth-century architecture is inspiring. His impressive sensitivity, simplicity, and masterful use of color, was captured here for generations of architects to enjoy. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

Not very inspiring.....
I had really hoped for an exciting collection of photographs which evoked the sunny carefree Santa Barbara style. Unfortunately, it is primarily composed of photographs of formal highly stylized houses which look like museums. I had wanted to see beach shacks, airy white washed cottages with tons of old rose bushes, cool mediterranean lairs used by Hollywood refugees, grand haciendas overlooking the sea, etc... but this was pretty tame predictable stuff. Such a shame.

A lovely book on Santa Barbara architecture
As person who was born and raised in Santa Barbara, this book truly captures the beautiful architectural style and gardens of the city. Santa Barbara Style has a permanent spot on my coffee table and makes me homesick for the incredible homes and lush gardens found in Santa Barbara. This book is a must for anyone who is interested in Spanish and Mediterranean architecture. This is the true style of Santa Barbara!

A should have if you like Spanish Revival architecture
Beautifully photographed and interesting historical information. Would have rated it 4 stars if more focus (both text and photographs) were placed on the architecture and details instead of the homes interior. If you like Adam Mizner homes, there is another book with greater focus on Mizner's work in Palm Beach, Florida.

great design book
The photographs are outstanding. This book is a great resource for anyone who is looking for ideas for interior design, or for landscape design. Great coffe table book too.

One of the most beautiful books I have ever seen
I have seen many great books featuring extravagant homes. The best books of this type usually display homes in Europe. Well this book is by far the most remarkable home photography book I have ever seen. I knew Santa Barbara has excellent architecture, but this vastly exceeded my expectations. Buy it - you won't be disappointed.

As for the other reader who was looking for shacks... if you think Santa Barbara is made up of beach shacks, you should get out of the house more often. ... Read more

Book Description

Building small can be a sign of higher ambitions, and those who take the time to peruse these pages will undoubtedly grow to appreciate that creating a small home can be an amazingly positive and creative act, one which can enhance life in surprising ways.

THE VERY SMALL HOME presents stunning design advances in Japan. Eighteen recent houses, from ultramodern to Japanese rustic, are explored in depth. Particular emphasis is given to what the author call the Big Idea—the overarching concept that does the most to make the house feel more spacious than it actually is. Among the Big Ideas introduced here are ingenious sources of natural light, well-thought-out atriums, snug but functional kitchens, unobtrusive partitions, and free-flowing circulation paths.

An introduction by the author puts the house designs in the context of lifestyle trends, and highlights their shared characteristics. For each project, the intentions of the designers and occupants are examined. The result is a very human sensibility that runs through the book. a glimpse of the dreams and aspirations that these unique homes represent and that belies their apparent modesty.

The second half of the book is devoted to illustrating the special features in the homes, from clever storage and kitchen designs, to ingenious skylights and nooks. As with his earlier SMALL SPACES, Azby Brown has given home owners, designers, and architects a fascinating new collection of thought-provoking ideas. ... Read more

Book Description

Inspired by the British Arts and Crafts movement, Craftsman-style homes captured America's heart at the turn of the 20th century. Bungalows and larger houses with broad roof overhangs, comfortable porches, and hand-hewn wooden details grew out of California's warm climate and influenced a range of other building types, from resort hotels to churches and schools. Today Craftsman-style structures can be found as far east as New York State. Intricate woodwork gives them a timeless handcrafted look, and rustic materials tie them to the earth. Behind each element lies a hint of a craftsman plying his art.

This handsome volume is a celebration of Craftsman-style architecture, which flourished in America from about 1895 into the 1920s. It took on a more natural and rustic form on this side of the Atlantic than its British counterpart, in keeping with the rugged American frontier ethos. Robert Winter, one of the country's leading authorities on the Arts and Crafts movement, has supplied the informative text, which complements the gorgeous color photography by Alexander Vertikoff. ... Read more