5 comments about Morphosis.

1. The book contains pictures of his work and the bottom line is this --
   
   1) Poor choice of angles in the photography
   2) Boring images
   3) Annoying layout of photos in the book such as spreading the image across 2 pages that disturbs the image of the architecture.



2. Morphosis is one of the leading American practices today. The work that they have produced over the years is amazing. This book is great for the non-architect, however I would not recommend it for any students or practitioners of architecture. "Morphosis Buildings and Projects 1993-1997" and "Morphosis Building and Projects 1989-1992" are loaded with drawings, working images, and an indepth look at the firms work. They are much better books for the architecture student.



3. Mayne has been at the forefront of LA's architectural avant garde for over thirty years, graduating from meticulously detailed houses and commercial spaces, to large-scale public projects that include two LA-area schools, the Cal Trans headquarters, a Federal office building in San Francisco, and a courthouse in Oregon. Morphosis (the firm he established with Michael Rotondi in 1972) has also built in Canada, Austria and Korea. This handsome pictorial survey of its 35 completed buildings and installations offers a thrilling ride through structures that tilt, fold, cantilever and seem to defy gravity. An essay by Mayne is gently deconstructed by Cornell architecture professor Val Warke. (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)



4. This book unlike other morphosis books is comprehensible for the average reader. it has great pictures and his spectacular use of materials is clearly articulated. Thom Mayne does not only talk the talk but builds the talked about.



5. This book presents the Morphosis architecture in a series of well-executed photographs, beautifully presented.

2 comments about Modern to Classic.

1. I do like this book, it's well put together and the photography is excellent. Not to take credit away from Mr Landry's talents, but the best part of the book is the descrptions of the homes in it by writer Lynn Morgan. She breathes life into the photographs and has the perfect voice for these homes: able not only to describe but inform. Sad that she is not being given the credit she is so clearly deserves....



2. If you are a fan of architecture or simply want a glimpse into how the rich and famous live, BUY THIS BOOK! Richard Landry does brilliant work and this book is an amazing showcase of his talent, innovation, and versatility. This book is chock full of the most spectacular houses you will ever see. The photography is simply magical. I can't reccomend this book enough. I'm buying several more copies as X-Mas presents!

No comments about Building the Future: Building Technology and Cultural History from the Industrial Revolution Until Today.

1 comments about Building the New World: Modern Architecture in Latin America.

1. From the very beginning, Europe's modernist architects had a burning need to prostelitize about the benefits of their new architectural style. Their socialist message of modernity with its emphasis on form following function, simplicity and economy found an eager audience in Latin America during the first half of the Twentieth Century.
   
   "Building the New World" follows the rise of modernist architecture in Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil with a special emphasis on the ideas of Le Corbusier. These countries became world leaders in the advancement of the modernist agenda. At the time, Latin America's modernist architecture was admired throughout the world. Today, Latin America's contribution to modern architecture is almost unknown outside of the region. Valerie Fraser does a good job of raising the question of what happened to this acclaim. Unfortunately, she does not do a decent job of answering the question which she posits at the beginning of her book.
   
   In the end, "Building the New World" is nothing more than a cursory survey of Latin American modernist architecture. The illustrations are meager and the analysis is superficial. The only good thing that I recommend about this book is that it can purchased used for around five dollars. There is not alot written in English about this period of architectural history and anyone who is interested in the period will probably have to purchase this book. Purchase a used copy. In addition, avoid Carlos Brillembourg's "Latin American Architecture 1929-1960", an even less substantial work of architectural history.

No comments about Best-Selling Ranch Home Plans.

No comments about A Sense of Entry: Designing the Welcoming School.

No comments about Best Designed Wellness Hotels: North And South America, Carribean, Mexico / Nord - Und sudamerika, Karibik, Mexiko (Best Designed).

3 comments about Residential Steel Framing Handbook.

1. This book covers the entire gamut of steel framing in one convenient source. It covers the entire residential structure from the first plan through the wall framing to the roof. It has plety of diagrams and photos to enhance the points it attempts to make. The chapters are thorough, but not unnecessarily long. The author has that unique ability to describe the instruction he wants to impart but at the same time the keeps on track. It helps if the reader has an engineering background, but anyone familiar with the process should have little trouble following the step by step instructions.
   
   This book won't find its way to a best seller list, but that is not the point of the book. It has important information for those involved in steel construction framing and that audience should benefit greatly from having this book available as a reference.



2. I am familiar with commercial metal framing and drywall. I know nothing about residential metal framing. This book helped answer alot of questions I had. I still have not framed a house in metal but if and when I do, I know this book will have made alot of the techniques and materials easier for me to understand and work with.



3. As a Civil Engineer, having to deal with both horizontal and vertical construction, and having to build residential, industrial and commercial buildings, both in Hurricane zones (Dade County, Miami, Florida) and in earth movement areas (Los Angeles Force 4/Richter Scale 9) in California & now in Istanbul, Turkey, this handbook has been particularly usefull when describing Light Gauge Steel Framing to Engineers which are having to cope with the subject for the first time. Would like to know when a new Edition of this Handbook with updated data will be published?

   Our deep appreciation to Mr. Robert Scharff and the editors of Walls & Ceilings Magazine.

   Sincerely,

   Alexandre Byron-Exarcos President & CEO United States Steel Framing Corp.

No comments about HVAC Testing, Adjusting, and Balancing Field Manual.

No comments about The Architect's Guide to Design-Build Services.