1 comments about On Foster...Foster on (Architecture).

1. This book is what is a 800 pages that let us drown into the life and toughts of one of the most brilliant architects in the whole world, Norman Foster.
   This isn't a kind of book that describes the projects and works, this book give us the fundamental of the work, the process of construction. The cd that come together is a selection of works with animation and images, but is equal to the norman foster and partners site on the web, it could be more useful and different.
   THIS IS A WONDERFULL BOOK ABOUT A GREAT ARCHITECT, THEYRE MASTERS , FRIENDS, AND PARTNERS.

5 comments about San Diego Architecture from Mission to Modern: Guide to the Buildings, Planning, People, and Spaces That Shape the Region.

1. Very dissapointing. I expected a detailed architecture book of San Diegan monuments and buildings. Instead, I found it to be no more than a sub-par tourinsm guide. It has small pictures and just over caption size amounts of information. Do youself a favor save your money. You would be better of taking the next San Diego travel brosure you find. At least you'll get more information. :(



2. This is a nice book. It's well organized, with insightful essays and thorough geographic coverage. It includes at least one color photograph for each entry. But the entries themselves will determine whether you like this book or not. Deco and Modernism rule the roost for this author, and the selection of buildings reveals that. It's not a guide of historic architecture, per se. Sure, you'll find the obligatory gaslamp district, Old Town and Balboa Park in here, but not the subtler more hidden gems scattered around Bankers Hill, Olive Park or Hillcrest. There is also a heavy emphasis on domestic architecture, which leaves enthusiasts of traditional religious and academic buildings (such as myself) somewhat disappointed.



3. Handy to have around. Certainly the most comprehensive (and only) guide to San Diego architecture that I've been able to find. Well organized with plenty of pictures and addresses. Also contains several mini-narratives of regional history.

   Sutro isn't biased towards one or more specific time periods as compared to other time periods. This suprised me, but I guess it reflects his attempt to be even handed (I also noted that the Publisher is supported by several developers). Whatever, Sutro's credentials are bonafide as a journalist, so I won't quibble.

   Still, it was a little bit shocking to hear him waxing enthusiasticly about some of the more recent condo developments downtown.

   Also, I saw an unaddressed picture of a Victorian in the Bankers Hill section of the book that has been moved to Golden Hill. I wasn't sure what was up with that.

   Perhaps the coolest part of this book is reading about the past (often bawdy) history of some of the buildings in Downtown and the East Village. For instance, they used to keep zoo animals in the basement of the Granger Building (5th and Broadway), and the Jerome's Furniture warehouse at fifteenth and Broadway was once a venue where people watched boxing and wrestling matches!

   Another highlight is his section on the East County region. I was fairly dissapointed with the coverage of areas like Del Mar and National City.

   All criticism aside, the subject matter, clear organization and over all usefulnesss make this book a "must have" for anyone interested in the subject.




4. This book has been a great find. It is well organized with buildings grouped in sections based on their neighborhood or community location--39 different divisions. Each section provides a building-coded map and a brief but good overview of the area. The biggest plus--a photo for EACH building, unfortunately not always a feature of architectural guidebooks.



5. This is a fine book -- I already took two of the walking tours and it was very enjoyable to see new places in neighborhoods I thought I knew so well. The author really did his homework, and it shows in the introductions to each area--good, clear writing is so rare these days. Plus the color photographs are excellent and there is one for every listing!

No comments about Building in France, Building in Iron, Building in Ferroconcrete (Texts & Documents).

No comments about Colonial Architecture of the Mid-Atlantic (Architectural Treasures of Early America Vol. 4).

4 comments about The Unreal America: Architecture and Illusion.

1. The main thrust of The Unreal America is that commercial interests are choking out our experience of genuine regional and cultural diversity--in architecture, travel and even our knowledge of history. The first three quarters of the book is devoted to the theme parks, shopping centers and architectural restorations that Huxtable abhors, including Disney World, Celebration, Florida, Las Vegas and colonial Williamsburg. The last quarter of the book is disjointed from the beginning because she abruptly switches gears and lauds buildings that she finds exhilarating and which properly integrate materials, use and environmental context.

   The book is must reading for anyone who has a passion for architecture and is concerned about how commericalism and real estate development affects our society. Although the tone of Huxtable's writing is haughty, angry and sometimes repetitive, her message is an important one. Huxtable rails against The Disney Company and its penchant for creating fake, idealized versions of real places. Walt Disney's dream was to create clean, controlled environments where happiness abounds, but in the years since his death in 1966, the dreams and fantasies of children of all ages have become mass-merchanidised and channeled into a narrow focus of personalities and products. Huxtable maintains that Disney has become a mass dispenser of schlock-from amusements to art to architecture.

   Huxtable also decries the way that shopping center malls and superstores such as Home Depot and Walmart have choked out diversity in retailing. "In the reality of suburban America," she writes, " there is no place else to go", because malls and movie megaplexes have replaced downtowns and streets. Huxtable acknowledges that architecture is largely influenced by investment economics. She is a realist that does not expect that strip malls and shopping centers should go away, but she denounces the banality of their designs and how our collective experience of that stifling sameness makes society more homogenized.




2. This book was awesome from the beginning to the end. The way she wrote was breath taking. I like cheese and pasta. Cheese is good on asparagus. I like the cheese on this book.



3. Though her thoughts on what she thinks are "good" modern architects are very illuminating and insightful, her rants against Disneyfied structures and environments are tiresome, pithy and repetitious. She seems like she's trying to sound like a hip, streetwise rock critic or something. Forget the first 50% of the book (or skim), and save your time and energy for the last 50%.



4. The Unreal America: Architecture and Illusion, by Ada Louise Huxtable, is a book that is inviting to a non-academic audience. Huxtable makes case studies of structures that she has experienced and groups them into two categories- 1) What she finds reprehensible, the theme architecture discussed in the beginning chapters- 2) What she finds enlightening and exhilarating, the extension and modification of modernist ideas in contemporary works. Because of this categorization, the book is a bit disjunctive as Huxtable switches gears from complaining to lauding. Her approach to all structures is personal. She tends to incorporate her own reactions into her criticism and back up her feelings with formal description and by citing philosophers of culture such as Baudrillard and Eco. It is refreshing that Huxtable does not invoke a Marxist critique to indicate all that is wrong with corporate theme architecture and all that is right with public projects. On the other hand, her subjective disdain or praise is convincing only insofar as one acknowledges these opinions as expert. The first part of her book comes off as a social critique of theme parks, malls, and consuming venues that take their forms from the past. The second is more descriptive of how architects control materials and space to successfully fit a use/purpose while also creating new structural forms. This book deals with complex issues of simulacra and new history, but Huxtable keeps the language simple and approachable to the non-academic reader. Unfortunately, those already familiar with Baudrillard, Eco, Barthes, et al will find these arguments long dated. This book is a quality introduction to contemporary architecture for the uninitiated. The cognoscenti, however, will find the book unremarkable. A more comprehensive book that is excellent complementary reading to The Unreal America, is Architecture After Modernism, by Diane Ghirardo, which achieves more objectivity and depth.---William V. Ganis (WillemG@aol.com

No comments about Finnish Architecture and the Modernist Tradition.

No comments about Italian Baroque and Rococo Architecture.

No comments about Westward Series Nickels 2004-2006.

No comments about Material Stone.

2 comments about Architecture Tours L.A. Guidebook: Hancock Park / Miracle Mile.

1. If you'd like to take any of several self-guided automobile tours of Los Angeles and nearby areas, Laura Massino Smith's books are excellent. Each tour book has clear directions and easy-to-read maps, lots of fascinating notes and information, plus photos of what to look for. I've lived in LA for over twenty-five years, and Smith's books have surprised me with things I'd never seen or hadn't noticed. There are three of her books in my glove compartment so far (Hollywood, Silverlake, and Hancock Park/Miracle Mile) and I'll be getting the rest as well.



2. These are great guides to view all the architectural gems in my neighborhood and surrounding areas. Highly recommended for locals or people who visit Los Angeles often. You wouldn't think there are so many historical houses and buildings to see in this town, but Laura Massino Smith has compiled them into these handy books with great photos as well.