Reviews (1)

Exquisite tome
This is a beautiful book in every way. It looks grand and the workmanship is supurb. The photography is stunning. The book does a commendable job of presenting the best of the great palaces of Spain. Spain has a rich history of palace building, from the Philip II's austere El Escorial to Phillip V's baroque Palacio Real and it is on breathtaking display in this excellent book. If you have any interest in Spanish architecture or of European architecture in general I strongly recommend you get this book. The price may be a bit daunting, but if you enjoy fine books you won't be disappointed. ... Read more

Book Description

The New York-based architectural firm LOT/EK (pronounced "low-tech") has made a distinctive mark on the architectural landscape through a series of seemingly whimsical projects that make a point of using prefabricated industrial materials in unexpected ways. In their hands, a shipping container can be transformed into a mobile working unit, a museum, or a restaurant. In the process, they question our relation to the industrial environment and the artificiality of the urban landscape.

Lot/Ek: Urban Scan, the first and only monograph on the firm, is organized categorically and alphabetically. Twenty-three projects are presented in detail, including American Diner (a restaurant in a container), the InspiroTrainer (created for the Museum of Modern Art), Mixer (a cement mixer-cum-video immersion unit), the Meltzer Gallery, the Boon boutique, the MDU (Mobule Dwelling Unit), and the Goree Memorial and Museum. It also includes more than 1,000 photographs of infrastructural objects--everything from air conditioners to water tanks--that serve as the raw material and inspiration for this creative practice. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Catalouge of Mundane Items with Ingenious Solutions
This is worth the price, if just for the images they collect of eveyday industrial items and how these items fit into the manifesto of LO/TEK. Great Work!!

Seclusive Architecture
Ada Tolla and Giuseppe Lignano came to our school, Carnegie Mellon, in March 2003, to give a presentation of their retrospective work. I must admit that we, as the whole audience were enchanted by what they presented to us. LOT/EK, a NYC based architectural firm, has set its focus on mostly mobile units of architecture that involves structures and modules to be used in mostfully art and entertainment contexts.

They've done a lot of small structures that bring technology and entertainment together. Their projects for MoMa, Whitney Museum, and the Guggenheim are a couple of examples. Although they're very unique designs in addition to comprehensive enhancements in media use, they have a seclusive atmosphere. That was one of the issues that was brought up by the students and faculty. The modules, however comfortable and ergonomic they can be, tend to separate individuals from the outside environment almost completely. They did not provide a good answer to the question. Yet, there's no reason for harsh criticism for that; since they devote themselves to one particular theme in architecture. Perhaps we, as either students or professionals, always have the image of Le Corbusier or Aalto in our minds, that we think that an architect should do everything. It becomes nice when a man can get a hand on many things, but it should not be disrespected when a hand does one job only. In fact, specialization becomes a must with globalism.

I really liked their project for University of Washington, where they placed literally a 'slice' of an aeroplane onto a grass area in the campus. They've designed mobile seats, that can rotate vertically and horizontally, to allow for lectures, lounge relaxing and exhibitions, as the seats move.

'Isolating functions, not people...' Yes, this is what they had said, I now remember. I agree, their intention is not to isolate people. They instead intend to isolate functions, so that they are better realized without interruption. One might disagree with that, if interruption is a personal pleasure.

LOT/EK is definitely one of the most specialized, unique, creative and technological architectural firms today. Purchase the book to see their amazing work.

Machines for Living. Finally!
I first learned about architects Ada Tolla and Giuseppe Lagnano (of LOT-EK) from an article in the House and Home section of the New York Times. I was intrigued by their use of low-cost, yet structurally sound, architectural elements (used shipping containers, tanker truck tanks, etc.) to create flexible spaces that are visually striking, yet responsive to human needs. A rare combination in architecture. Reading and looking through this book, my sense of interest morphed into outright enthusiasm. Not only does their work make sense environmentally--making sane reuse of items that are often discarded--their designs are extraordinarily well thought-out, architecturally innovative, socially aware and beautiful. ... Read more

Book Description

From the best-selling author of Villa Décor and Unmistakably French comes an insider's guide to French design secrets for home interiors. Betty Lou Phillips, America's foremost interior design expert on French style, shares some of her best-kept secrets-ones that the French seem to know instinctively. Secrets of French Design looks behind heavy lacquered doors at the design principles the French hold dear. Whether furnishing a château in the Loire Valley, a fabled manor in Normandy, or a pied-à-terre on Paris's grand Avenue Foch, the French make no secret of their love for family, affection for pets and fervor for all things Gallic.With mystery rooted in culture and the ever-elusive idea of "French flair," Betty Lou Phillips shares these long held secrets, and illustrates the principles with awe-inspiring photography.

Chapters include:· Les Couleurs de France · Le Salon· A Table · Le Chambre et La Salle de Bains· Lés Details

Betty Lou Phillips is the author of Gibbs Smith, Publisher's incredibly successful line of French style and design books, including the award-winning Villa Décor, as well as Unmistakably French, French Influences, French by Design, and Provencal Interiors: French Country Style in America. She is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Good photos and writing
This is a great book, good photos and loaded w/ info. The only thing that I think would make it better would be show more pictures of the exterior of the palaces because some palace photos are all interior so you cant see what it looks like from the outside, but this is only on a few palaces. Overall, this is a great book and I would give it 4 1/2 stars if I could.

German Castles And Palaces
I love this book. The photography is just fabulous. If you ever wanted to know what the German Castles and Palaces look like, or are planning a trip to Germany and would like to see some of them, this is the book for you! Also, the history is very informative. I just can't say enough for this book! I am an artist, and I have never seen such an artful display of art from a bygone era. WOW! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (1)

Thirty-three American residential masterpieces
This book successfully captures the vast architectural contributions achieved in the Twentieth Century in American residential design by spotlighting 33 masterpieces located across the country.

The book begins with stunning photographs and drawings of remarkable homes built early in the century, including the Greene and Greene Gamble House in Pasadena, Ca., Rudolph Schindler's Lovell Beach House in Newport Beach, Ca., and Richard Neutra's Lovell Heath House in Los Angeles, Ca. Then, homes are featured that embody "the triumph of the modern American house," including Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater in Bear Run, Pa. The final and largest section of the book highlights "blueprints for modern living," such as Philip Johnson's Glass House in New Canaan, Ct., Louis Kahn's Korman House in Fort Washington, Pa., and Frank Gehry's house in Santa Monica, Ca.

The book lets the images of the homes, exterior and interior, speak for themselves through extra-large photographs. The accompanying commentary focuses well on the architects' contributions to architecture.

I very highly recommend this book. It is the best compilation of American residential masterpieces of the Twentieth Century that I've seen, and even more importantly, the authors have put the differing styles in perspective with the evolution of American architecture. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Wonderful Decorating Inspiration
If you are looking for a picture book of Parisian interiors to inspire your decorating, this will work very well. I am constantly searching for books like this--which are full of illustations of those interior details which seem to be uniquely Parisian. Every page is illustrated with photographs and includes just enough commentary to keep it interesting without getting descriptively heavy. This is definitely a pictoral reference/beautiful parlour table book.

Mmm.
I don't actually own this book; I found it by chance in my college's art library. Instantly, I fell in love with it's straight-forward photography. I have been renewing it for two months, and it has given me boundless inspiration for decorating my new apartment. This book is a jewelbox of decor and interior style. The full-page spreads offer tantilizing shots of the personal apartments of Parisian society-- both of the known and unknown; of large dimensions and of miniscule-- expousing beautiful decor that only a Parisian could pull off. Junk shop havens, classical boudoirs, catch-all collecting dens, and the odd moderne loft-- each interior is a true joy to see. Read, view, and enjoy and be inspired.

Eye Candy Anyone?
As a creative director, I've found this book to be very inspiring. Great photographic studies of Paris' most stylish homes (some owned by the famous, some are not) drip from these pages. Huge full-page and sometimes double-page images, printed on nice thick semi-matte stock, draw you right in. Like her book on Provence, its a great escape into another world. If you are a student of the esthetic, you will love it! PS. The cover is coffee-table ready too.

An excellent and unintended travelogue of Paris
As well as showing the eclectic style of the stylish who live in Paris (only one 'ordinary' person's interior is featured) it effectively chronicles the flavour and atmosphere of the city and works as a kind of immersion therapy. Interiors are photographed effectively and some source information is provided, especially about flea market finds. Strongly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

Whitemarsh Hall, known as "the Versailles of America," was one of the largest and most exquisite estates in North America. Edward Townsend Stotesbury, one of the wealthiest Philadelphians in the early twentieth century, commissioned renowned architect Horace Trumbauer to build the one-hundred-forty-sevenroom mansion in 1916 on three hundred acres just outside Philadelphia. Whitemarsh Hall, which took five years to build at an estimated cost of $10 million with all the furnishings, was a wedding present for his second wife. ... Read more

Book Description

The Catskills is the favored new retreat for New Yorkers. Only ninety minutes from the city, it's closer than the Hamptons and much more affordable. As a consequence, this once thriving area is having a huge revival as a weekend-vacation place. Catskills Country Style, the first book of its kind on the Catskills and its new style--what might be called urban-country-folk design--showcases this new style in the cottages and cabins of the region. Intriguing historic houses are included as well as a collection of more contemporary homes. Among these is Olana, the 1860s Moorish-style country estate of Frederic Church, the great American landscape artist and leading figure of the Hudson River School of painting. Also included is Pennyroyal Cottage, the 1880s first American woman to have her own design firm. These historic houses are the forerunners of the retreats of many current New York City-based artists, bohemians, designers, and stylists.

Current owners of Catskills country style houses are instrumental in shaping trends of today's look. These stylish innovators are creating an aesthetic with a new twist, recycling ideas as well as furniture with an individualistic philosophy that features an eclectic mix of flea market, yard sale, antique and handmade furniture, sometimes peppered with the latest international high-design avant-garde furnishings. This is a book in the tradition of Rizzoli's Charleston Style and Santa Barbara Style, and give us a glimpse into the homes and lifestyles of an influential and fascinating group of people.
... Read more

Reviews (2)

Another photog feast of architectural gems from this pair!
Steve Gross and Sue Daley have been dazzling the oft-oversaturated "coffee table" book market since their unusual and eclectic book OLD HOUSES was published more than a decade ago.

Unlike many photographic books of this genre--or photographers for that matter--Gross + Daley look for the unusual, the misplaced, the forgotten, even the sublime. Their photographic style, while crisp, is voyeuristic without being intrusive. Rarely styling their photographs, they allow the interiors or exteriors to speak in their own evocative voices.

As with their previous books, CATSKILLS COUNTRY STYLE is infused with a variety of architectural styles and unusual homes, even little-known museums and undeliberate vintage set-pieces. And, as in their other books, the houses they select are styled by their talented, often capricious, owners or the benign patterning of neglect and wear and age. This photographic team always embrace the off-beat or the discarded, forgotten time-encapsulated gems which fall away from "back road" America.

If you do not live in the Catskills or have no intention of going there, it doesn't matter. If you like unusual houses and their interiors or have always desired a place in the country, this book will delight, inspire and captivate.

With an apt, well-written introduction by Francine Prose and excellent captions--instead of text-heavy chapters--which keep the focus on the photography.

A visual feast! Check out OLD HOUSES, too, as well as Gross + Daley's other recently published book, SANTA FE COUNTRY STYLE, and AT HOME WITH PAST. All books have a similar aesthetic and approach and you will not be disappointed.

You can smell the freah air.
This book through the use of superb photograhy and simple but informative captions conveys the love the owners have for these homes in the country. From the ornate victorian to the simple country style cottage of a beekeeper this book is a pleasure to own and display. ... Read more

Book Description

A point of artistic intersection between Historicism and Modernism. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

A magnificant book of full-color photographs and text show the history, architecture, and beauty of the barn. BARN is a celebration of an ancient symbol of shelter and harvest, with more than two hundred full-color photographs and an informed text by two expert practitioners of the art and craft of barn restoration. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best Ever Barn Book
Endersby and fellow authors, using an intelligent combination of pictures, drawings, and text to successfully depict both finished buildings and structural detail, have written the definitive book on barns. They trace the lineage of American barns from their European roots in a lively, readable, informative format. In addition to it's functional qualities, the book is quite handsome, a stunning addition to the library of anyone who likes barns. Quite simply, this is the best book on barns I have ever seen.

Barn, the art of a working building
This book is truely an inspiration... the images and descriptions will bring great memories of Barns to your mind, will bring tears to your eyes if you spent childhood fantasies in "the barn", and might inspire you to save, build, or restore a barn someday... thank you Elric, Alexander , and David, whoever and wherever you are for presenting such a work...It stays on the table, within easy reach... ... Read more

Amazon.com

Despite the contemporary fascination with all things classical that has fueled the recent antimodern movement, this is the first book in more than half a century to explore the career of John Russell Pope (1873-1937).And it is worth the wait as it luxuriously presents the work of the architect of the National Gallery of Art, the Jefferson Memorial, the National Archives, and dozens of other buildings that are now intrinsic to the constructed environment of the U.S. capital. Pope was an architect of such harmony, balance, and effortless grandeur that he might well be ignored by current American neoclassicists, whose ill-conceived gewgaws are put to shame by Pope's stately homes, serene monuments, authoritative collegiate buildings, and regal museums.

Architect and historian Steven McLeod Bedford began his solitary, comprehensive, and difficult research for this book during the 1980s, when proponents of the high-minded cultural imperatives of the late 19th century, including the Hudson River School painters, were in vogue. Bedford admirably analyses the strengths and weaknesses of an architect whose most famous buildings "expressed the grandiloquent aspirations of private and public patrons." He also puts Pope's contributions in historical perspective, noting that a 1961 history of American architecture published by the A.I.A. found "no merit in Pope's work." Bedford himself writes with careful objectivity that "Pope seemed to adhere to the precept that a certain set of classical forms and plans existed whose inherent beauty was immutable."

Bedford writes warmly but dispassionately about buildings that many people love, and some--such as those who listened to Martin Luther King Jr. speak on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, or visited the soaring, softly sky-lit rooms of the National Gallery--have special attachments to. Beauty of this exalted type may no longer be of interest to the architectural cognoscenti, but there is a quality of calm endurance to Pope's buildings that has lasting appeal. In spite of the author's reserve, this is an inspiring, elucidating book, filled with plans, drawings, and color photographs that do some belated justice to Pope's career. --Peggy Moorman ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great archtitect, long overdue book, writing a little dry.
This wonderful architect deserves study. his work is represented well but society context, office practice, growth in style are a little lacking and could have beenbetter . Still a great addtion to any library!

Pope rehabilitated
This carefull reappraisal of Popes work was long overdue. One would hope that it will be followed by books on Cass Gilbert and Paul Cret who with Pope were the last masters of American Classical Architecture.Their work has stood the test of time beter than many more modern buildings.

another great topic in the wrong hands
I love all architecture and I can remember when I could count on titles from Rizzoli to uphold a certain standard, but that was too long ago. J.R.P. was an extrodinatry man for his time and a classic architect whodeserves the same type of fame given to Frank Lloyd Wright. Rizzoli onceagain has failed the topic. GREAT COVER AND NO SUBSTANCE A.K.A. PAPERGARBAGE. ... Read more

Book Description

The Netherlands is currently one of the world’s poles of great modern design, a center of innovation and experimentation in architecture, urban planning, industrial design, and graphic design.

This book showcases the dynamism of contemporary Dutch design and, through a detailed exploration of the country’s geography, culture, and history, defines its particularities as a manifestation of things intrinsically "Dutch." Eschewing a traditional academic presentation, authors Aaron Betsky and Adam Eeuwens, together with the renowned Dutch book designer Irma Boom, have conceived a witty, multidimensional structure for the book that brings to life a prolific design culture in a rich landscape of interconnected stories.

False Flat consists of an introduction and five illustrated text chapters by Aaron Betsky, the director of the Netherlands Architecture Institute. These chapters are interspersed with 16-page sections consisting solely of selected images and extended captions, in a unique presentation conceived by Boom. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best of the Style books on Bali
Excellent photos of the best houses, building materials, gardens, fabric, crafts, and architectural details in Bali. Very beautiful as a coffee table book, quite useful as a style reference book.

The text is very nicely written, without repetition or fluff; it serves mainly to illuminate the huge variety of photographs. In other words, the reader will learn a little about Balinese geography, sensibility and culture from Walker, but not in intricate detail or with scholarly authority. I read it cover to cover in a couple of days, and felt it was a decent grounding in Bali style.

Author, editor and photographer should be praised for finding examples of all kinds of Bali style: garish, sublime, fancy, plain, funky, sophisticated, folksy, casual, formal, sacred.

A solid overview, useful to decorators, architects, mere Bali fans.

Bali style
I never read this book, so I'm very happy to discover all the informations about architecture of the Pacific area, and I'd like to be more lucky and get that book in my shelves.

When I read the editorial reviews and the hardcover, I already fall in love (déja amoureux). my mind is risen when I get the opportunity to meet very nice things, when I read very nice descriptions, and mainly when I watch very nice pictures about very nicest, cutest houses.

I really look forward to get an exemplary of this book to enhance the richness of my mind!

may day, may day, may day! Help me to get it! ... Read more

Book Description

How were the architectural ideas behind great Roman building projects carried out in practice? Each major phase of the building process is considered in the building histories of the Baths of Caracalla, the Pantheon, the Coliseum, and the great temples at Baalbek. New hypotheses are advanced on the raising of monolithic columns, the construction sequence of the Coliseum, and the vaulting of the Pantheon. The illustrations include archival and original photographs, as well as numerous explanatory drawings. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

How can you forget the ZERI Foundation?
The book is beautiful, well documented and presents a marvellous insight about the great work of Simon Velez and his colleague Marcelo Villegas.

It is though a mystery that the book simply decides to neglect mentioning the ZERI Foundation and its protagonist Gunter Pauli who prefered to go broke over the initiative, then to drop the ball half way.

Thanks to his determination the full scientific tests on bamboo could be undertaken, the building permit could be obtained for a first time ever in an industrialzed country, and the 6.4 million visitors could admire the masterpiece created by Simon Velez.

One would have expected that an othewise professional publisher like Villegas Editores, who is well aware of the origins of the great building in Hanover would have put reality in balance. After all without this large investment this masterpiece would never have materialized.

It is hoped that the book will quickly sell out, become a great success which it deserves and then this minor error could be corrected.

Best Bamboo Book for Sophisticated Guadua Architecture
During the International Bamboo Festival at Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Miami, I had the pleasure of personally meeting Marcelo Villegas. He is truly "el miestro", a master carpenter, who builds some of the most exciting and innovative bamboo buildings in the world. He is soft-spoken, humble, and refers to himself as a simple carpenter, not master.

The book is a great reference for photographs of his most recent exciting work. Bamboo is a natural building material which has some very interesting properties. It is as strong as steel by weight and has incredible strength under tension.

Villegas has a deep understanding for the special type of bamboo he used, Guadua Angustifolia, which is native to his Colombia. He treats each project organically and executes them flawlessly.

He helped build the largest bamboo structure in the world which was tested by German Engineers for the WORLD EXPO in Hannover in 2000. The structure was so strong, according to him, that is surpassed german building codes (the toughest in the world).

This is a MUST buy bamboo book, one you won't regret buying. ... Read more

Amazon.com

With its vivid yellows, glowing reds, cool blues, and lush greens, Tropical Asian Style evokes the riches of Southeast Asia. Gorgeous color photos of homes from Chiang Mai to Kuala Lumpur demonstrate essential design elements: living spaces open to nature, and accents of wood, textiles, and earthenware. This is a coffee-table book that will enlighten and entertain with its discussion of local crafts, such as basketware, batik, lacquerware, furniture, terra cotta, ikat weaving, Thai silk, garden sculpture, and more. Its sumptuous full-page spreads--from a saltwater pool above the surf in Phuket to a lovely open-air bathroom accented with old beams and seashells--will beckon you to exotic locales and entice you to add a little Asian flavor (a carved teak daybed, a decorative weaving, or more simply, a hammock on the veranda) to your home. --Jhana Bach ... Read more

Reviews (6)

fabulous ideas for open-air living
After reading it, I wanted to knock down every wall in my house. Or at least remove the window glass. My next house will definitely be designed based on the rooms in this book.

I didn't read much of the text because the pictures were so captivating. They show every aspect of the tropical Asian house, except perhaps kitchens, which seem to be nothing more than a stove-type device near the dining area. The predominant theme is living among nature and even inviting it to share the living space with you (or is it the other way around?). Instead of windows and doors, you see slatted screens and netting. Very romantic. And a far cry from most of America's obsession with locks and glass. I need to move......

Wish I were there...
My dream is to be surrounded by teak and orchids, eating curry and sipping lime juice, and not owning any sort of time piece. Since that isn't going to happen for several more years I bought this book. I am neither a designer nor a photographer so my only input is how this book makes me feel. I have come to love Southeast Asia after several all too brief trips to the region and Tropical Asian Style, specifically Tettoni's photos, has brought some life to my dull suburban living room. And, while I realize that this book comprises several distinct cultures, it is the overall effect, not any particular region, that is so overwhelmingly beautiful. If you feel trapped in your American workaholic routine, this book is a wonderful diversion.

Truly Gorgeous Overview of Tropical Asian Luxe
This is an excellent look at the best examples of tropical Asian luxury living.

It is not a detailed exploration of regional design elements (look to Bali Style, Thai Style, Tropical Garden Design, et al, for the next degree of depth). It is, however, a rich overview of the best of SEAsian luxury architecture and furnishings.

Every page is simply gorgeous, with photos "bleeding" out past the paper, one trait of a good coffee table or style book. There is little or no image repetition in the coverage of the homes or boutique hotels featured, and each photo is perfectly focused, every composition seen in its best light.

In all the shuffle of Thai grandeur, Balinese earthiness, and Malaysian simplicity, the book might at first glance seem to be presenting a kind of fusion. I think it's fair to say that there is plenty of contemporary blurring of the distinctions between regions, but the reader can also look for regional elements and quickly learn them. Each property is given its own mini-chapter, which helps a lot. And the regional details and sensibilities really come alive when you read the accompanying texts, which are the work of expert style writers.

In fact, the contributors list reads like a who's who of style gurus. There is the clever and quippy Made Wijaya, descriptive Diana Darling, the meticulous William Warren, and details-minded Robert Powell. It's a great read!

Definitely some of the best of Southest Asia...
I am a collector of Luca Invernizzi Tettoni's work because ALL of them is a visual feast for the eyes. This talented man has a knack for details and never fails to capture the vivid and glowing nuances that represents the best of Southest Asia's style. Take it from me, living in the same environment, I sometimes take it for granted. This book is more than just a coffee-table piece, to complement the gorgeous photography , the text , written by various specialists, will enlighten you with well researched information on local crafts and traditions. It also shows the transformation that SEA architecture and interior designs have undergone; overall a fascinating mix 'n' match of vernacular designs and contemporary style.

Enchanting and Inspirational
I bought this book just to reminisce about my childhood journeys all-over Asia and to bring inspiration to my "East meets West" Style, as an Interior Designer. Well, after reading the book I was compelled to go an another journey, a well deserved vacation, perhaps... I just came back from 3-month Antique buying trip in Asia. I visited China, Philippines, Hongkong, Thailand, Indonesia,Myanmar, and Singapore. This book will take you to the same places and show you more than what I covered in three months. Tettoni is truly great...! Check out his other books on Asia, and you'll sure save a lot on airfare...! ... Read more

Book Description

The Alhambra inspires and enchants like no other site.With its fascination history; its romantic locale overlooking Granada, against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains; its intricately decorated rooms; its numerous courtyards and fountains; the palace city of the Alhambra is endlessly alluring and has captivated the imagination of visitors since it was conceived in the thirteenth century.

By 720 AD, most of Spain was under Islamic rule.Formerly a minor settlement, Granada now thrived: the town was reconstructed as an Islamic city, with a medina and a fortress, and, in the early eleventh century, the residents of the nearby town of Elvisra were relocated to this more strategically-situated and temperate locale.A military fortification had existed at the top of the hill overlooking Granada since the ninth century and this site, know as the "Alhambra", expanded as the city developed.

The palace city was mapped out by the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, Ibn Nasr, in 1238 and largely constructed in the fourteenth century by his descendents Yusuf I (1333-1354) and Muhammed V (1354-1391).They built the main structures, known as the Nasrid palaces, which captivate throngs of tourists to this day.In subsequent centuries, other palaces were added-like that of the palace of the Catholic Charles V, whose pioneering building startled locals with its Renaissance style.Today the Alhambra is a fascinating amalgam of style, both Moorish and European, with labyrinthine hallways, numerous fountains, pools, and courtyards, stunning details, and breathtaking views.

In Alhambra, author Michael Jacobs details the history of this spectacular monument-the stories of the ruling families who lived in the palaces, the capturing and recapturing of this region in Spain, and the myths that surround the Alhambra.Evocative photographs by Francisco Fernandez lead readers on a virtual journey through the various palaces, government and military buildings, mosques, baths, courtyards, and beautiful gardens that make up this mythical place. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Masterpiece!
This magnificently photographed volume offers the reader a wonderful insight into one of the most beautiful edifices in the world. This oversized book stunningly recreates the splendor of Grenada. A treasure for any who have visited the Alhambra. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (7)

Best Book Available on Carmel Cottages
I am an architect. I live near Carmel and have a special fascination for these houses. Applause to the author. There are lots of beautiful photographs and the history is facinating. I would always like to see more diagrams, interesting details and floor plans, especially for the house called "Hansel". However, this is an excellent book, the best one available on the subject.

A Bouquet
I keep this book nearby, like a bouquet, to look at from time to time for the simple pleasure of it. The pages convey not only the
architecture of a period and place, but the personality of an era.
This is a companion book; to be cherished forever.

Memories of my hometown
I'm not sure how attractive this book would be to the general public. For me, it reveals the stories behind many of the houses I grew up with. As a Carmel native, I enjoyed learning the stories and histories of many of our local homes. The photographs are nicely done, and the text tells the information in an interesting presentation. I do wish that a local map had been included, to help pinpoint the location of some of these homes.

Utterly lovey!
I opened this book as one would a box of expensive hand-crafted Belgian chocolates and savored each page. The photos are luscious, the text tart and logical. Interior and exterior views of cottages and Jeffer's stone tower remind one of European villages.

Sarah Susanka's "Not So Big House" and "Creating the Not So Big House" are both good, yes, but nothing in them sets off the same resonate sensation as seeing "Cottages by the Sea." This is what real homes can be: shelters for the mind, body and spirit, places of rest, security and inspiration.

I'd write more, but excuse me---I'm booking a trip to Carmel.

Cottages by the Sea
The book was purchased for my wife, Emalie, for Mother's Day, so she is writing the reveiw.

The book, at first glance, was exciting for the photos of the homes in the Carmel area. Since our daughter and son-in-law live on Carmel Heights with a view of Point Lobos, we have become familiar with the Carmel setting. Reading the histories of homes we had seen on our jaunts through Carmel was educational and entertaining. Some of the homes have been redone, but the building and remodeling codes in Carmel are very strict, so we were interested in seeing what could be done and how remodeling changed the setting. I will value the book for the sentiment with which it was given, the content, and our connection with the area. ... Read more

Book Description

The tropical region covers a significant proportion of the globe, and yet its architecture receives relatively little outside comment or exposure. Dispersed widely throughout the world, the region incorporates areas as far-flung as the Caribbean islands, India, South-East Asia, and large parts of Australia, Africa and South and Central America. Despite their great cultural diversity, these areas share both climatic and ecological factors, as well as a post-colonial condition and the pressures of modernization in the world of globalization. Architects' reactions to the tropical context are as varied as the region is diverse.
Tropical Architecture brings together architects and critics from throughout the tropical region, examining the implications of the opposing forces of tradition and innovation and the struggle between global and local order. Among the issues covered are sustainability, bio- and cultural diversity, micro-climatic control and technology and multi-disciplinary design. The argument centres on Critical Regionalism, a concept introduced into the architectural debate in the early 1980s by two of the book's co-authors, Tzonis and Lefaivre. This is not a style but rather an approach to architecture that asks for design to be conceived in response to the needs and opportunities of a specific region - although it is not inherently opposed to global potentials. The theoretical debate is backed up by case studies of a range of projects, from small-scale designs using minimal technology to super-sophisticated, high-tech solutions, and from schemes that look to environmental comfort to ones concerned with issues of symbolism and memory. It is out of this multiplicity of approaches that the general global lesson of Critical Regionalism as applied to tropical architecture is to be found.
THE PRINCE CLAUS FUND stimulates and supports activities in the field of culture and development by granting awards, funding and producing publications and by financing and promoting networks and innovative cultural activities. Support is given both to persons and to organizations in African, Asian, Latin American and Caribbearn countries.

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Reviews (1)

insightful
This collaborative effects breaks the back on often overlooked issues of globalization. Tzonis brings the books into focus, creating layers of comparisons between conditions and countries otherwise unrelated. As well the book becomes the highlight on some unknown but rather talented architects working within a space cultured by globalization. ... Read more