3 comments about Istanbul 1900.

1. I am a resident of Istanbul and an architect, so I had the chance to read and study this book almost as a text book before graduating college, therefore I do not agree with Mr. Skarpini on this book being a coffee table book, I believe this book is well researched and written, though it's not an enjoyable reading for the average tourist. I want to comment on one thing, Mr. Skarpini has written on his review that he is not very fond of Raimondo Tomasso D'aronco, the 19th century Italian art nouveau architect. He comments, "fortunately, many of his projects were not built" I think, rather this is a very fortunate occurance that many of his designs were built in Istanbul, but unfortunately many of them were not preserved as they deserved to be. Mr. D'aronco was not only a famous period architect to me, I believe he was one of the "true" lovers of Istanbul.



2. Istanbul is the world's most beautiful city, a cosmopolitan gem where East meets West and where the magic and squalor of the 1001 Nights pop out around any corner. The Art Nouveau chapter of Istanbul's architectural history is a very significant one, and captures the visitor's imagination about how life in that city must have been in the Belle Epoque. However, the book is proven too mediocre for the city. The Italian authors narcissistically devote a big part of the book to Raimondo D'Aronco, a compatriot of theirs whose pompous architectural plans remind one of the feathers worn by Italian policemen and military. Thankfully, not many of his proposed buildings were actually built. There is a scandalous misrepresentation of Greek architects of Istanbul. The Greeks were not passers-by, the way Italians were. The Greeks have been living in Istanbul since the 7th c BC, since even before Istanbul existed! I don't mean to disregard the importance of the Turkish architects or of those Western architects whose beautiful buildings adorn the city, but it is quintessential to note that the elitist Belle Epoque architecture seen all over Pera and Galata, as well as many villas along the Bosphorus and the Princes' Islands were designed by Greek architects and to investigate their work in a more thorough manner. One should not forget, that 1 out of the 3 residents of Istanbul in 1900 was an ethnic Greek and it is only logical to assume that the Greeks took considerable interest to building their homes and offices. Often, the city homes and offices were functional buildings, while the Bosphorus and Islands' residences were more intricately designed houses destined to leisure. Still, they all retained a distinct turn-of-the-century art nouveau style. Unlike the occasional visiting architect from Europe who would create a singular extravaganza, Istanbul Greek architects were meeting the needs of the local bourgeois, and in this sense, their work must be examined in greater depth, as it will reveal many social aspects of life in Istanbul around 1900. I would also like to stress the sad lack of references to sources of information and maps. This book could be a book of reference for architects and lovers of Istanbul, but it ends up being a mere coffee table book, a collection of photos from the trip two Italians took to the city. I give the book 2 stars, just because the photos are so beautiful and make one want to go back there at once. So sad, this book...



3. This book reveals the fact that Istanbul among with Vienna, Brussels and Barcelona is one of the capitals of Art Nouveau. Some wonderful examples of the period blended with touches of Orient are hidden between the mosques and Byzantine remains. This book is the best source for the art nouveau architecture that has survived in Istanbul. So a little more to covered bazaar and Blue Mosque, when you visit Istanbul the next time.

No comments about Architecture: As a Synthesis of the Arts.

1 comments about Leicht Weit/Light Structures.

1. The book introduces German talented structural engineer:Jorg schlaich and his office's work.
   The work ranges from super-long span bridge, or tiny, but state-of-art footbridge, solar power system and so on.
   The book covers his early career:Munich Olympic stadium, to most recent work like Frank Gehry's DG Bank Berlin.
   Especially, in my opinion,arch-shaped bridge (pathway has curved plan) is most significant one.
   If you want to know most up-to-date structural technique, this is the one.
   Regrettably,explanation for each project is not long enough because of much number of projects.

No comments about Architecture in France in the Eighteenth Century (The Yale University Press Pelican History of Art).

No comments about Venice: Guide to the Principal Buildings History of Architecture and Urban Form (Canal Guides).

No comments about Scenes of The World To Come.

1 comments about An Architect's Paris (Bulfinch Architecture/Travel Series).

1. If you love Paris and it has been awhile since you have been there then, read this book. The author is knowledgeable, and his drwaings are as charming as your memories, It was handy to use as a reference, except there is no reference mechanism, you have to remember where you read the part you are interested in. Read it before you go to set yourself for the trip or after, again and again, to relive, the charm and beauty of that great city

No comments about Figure/Ground: A Design Conversation.

No comments about Architecture and the Sites of History: Interpretations of Buildings and Cities.

No comments about On Certain Possibilities For The Irrational Embellishment Of A Town.