5 comments about Gehry Talks.

1. What makes this book interesting is its format and organization, as well as the candid discussion of the projects by Gehry himself. What the book confirms, though, is that Gehry's work lacks any theoretical dimension, unlike that of his more serious equals, like Moneo or Siza. Gehry will be remembered one day for pushing the limits of architecture, for his wizardry and creativity. But eventually the repetition of the same forms in unequal contexts raises many questions. Does MIT's science center warrant the same formal expression as a museum in Bilbao? And will it really adapt to the changing demands of its client? Futile questions, perhaps...



2. Gehry talks is a book offering extensive commentary from the great architect himself on his various designs, thought processes, materials used, and clients. It features photos of the buildings, models, plans, as well as sketches showing the evolution of the design from thought to construction.
   
   Frank Gehry is the great modern architect whose (usually striking) projects include the titanium clad Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the stainless steel clad Weisman museum in Minneapolis, Walt Disney concert hall in Los Angeles, and the `dancing towers' or Nederlanden building in Prague to name a few.
   
   He talks about the different approaches taken in tackling a commission. In the case of the Nederlanden building, we see it transformed from squiggles, to various models, before the final building appeared.
   
   He also talks about his relationships with various people; fellow designers and clients for example. He talks about the use of technology like computers in design.
   
   A very good book. To quote a line from the book; `The computer is a tool, not a partner, an instrument for catching the curve, not for inventing it'.



3. The big plus for me in reading this book is that Gehry lacks the pretension of being overly intellectual and doesn't feel the need to wrap himself in some sort of pseudo-scientific process -- as if he himself is an observer of his own, mysterious, secret process. His anecdotes for each project are conversational and reflect a lot of facets of the profession that people see as interfering with design.
   
   On the other hand, I read this book with the expectation that I would get some great insight, some more lessons that I could take with me and apply them to my work. I was disappointed with the depth of insight into his own projects. I got the general sense that each project was a reaction to incidental material in front of him, some vague sense of character he wanted in the work and some of those "real-world" constraints he had to deal with. In other words, the essays weren't into big ideas, not much philosophy, and little depth in terms of projects' evolution. It presents each project as a kind of Rue Goldberg set of moments, more of a quick chronology and sometimes more about how he got the commission than how he got the design.
   
   There are a few moments of good insight in the introduction, before he gets into specific projects. For example, his interest in the drapery of clothing, particularly its representation in sculpture (his example is a bit odd, perhaps) is obvious if you've looked at his stuff long enough, but it's nice to hear as much from him. There is more insight into Gehry's relationships with other people, his clients and a couple of his designers here, and that's a good read to some extent.
   
   The photos are pretty good. However, they don't complement the writing very well, nice as they are. Some things Gehry tries to describe should actually be shown and referenced, but these are mostly PR shots, and the photos are usually aspects of the work, and don't always do a good job orienting you to the project.
   
   Considering how accessible the book's writing is and its relatively affordable price (for an architecture book, that is), I still think it's worth picking up for yourself. Different people will be rewarded differently from it, but it's not on the level of other great architects' writings.



4. Frank Gehry's architecture has been receiving a lot of attention lately, and one can often wonder "How do those building get built?" well this book will tell you how the design go from sketches, to models, to the computer, to the final product... The photos in the book of models and the computer renderings are incredibly interesting and help the reader understand what it takes for a Gehry building to be born. Old, recent, and current projects are featured in this book. Definately a book worth picking up.



5. "Gehry Talks" is a thought provoking study of the evolution of Frank Gehry's avante-garde architecture. Anyone who adores modern architecture, or modern art for that matter, would be inspired by and should own this book.

1 comments about Building Libraries for the 21st Century: The Shape of Information.

1. If you live in a town that is wrangling about building a new library and what that library should be like, you need this book as a reference. I relied on this book heavily in all research and my speeches leading up to my Town's approval of our new library.

1 comments about New Minimalist Houses.

1. Lots of noise for about almost nothing.
   I have high hope for this one, but it don't deliver.

No comments about Shelter in Saudi Arabia (Academy Editions Architecture Series).

1 comments about Alvaro Siza: Private Houses.

1. Alvaro Siza is a true architectural genius and this book does a wonderful job to illustrate his great many talents and vision. The poems placed throughout the book add a special flavor. As an architect, I also appreciated the detailed photos. A must book for architects and Siza's fans!

No comments about Hallways, Corridors, and Staircases: Developing the Decorative & Practical Potential of Every Part of Your Home.

1 comments about Minimalist Interiors (Evergreen).

1. This book is big and heavy but as a results you get nice selection of interiors which are dedicated to minimalism in both decorating and architecture. Beautiful homes and even if you're not a fan of the style - this is nice to flip thru!
   
   Check out publishers page for this book here where you can flip some pages.

4 comments about The Cottage Book.

1. I liked the book. Its not a builder's treatise nor a decorator's reference, but it contains elements of both, with a little landscape design thrown in for good measure. Its an abbreviated look at the essence of cottage living, what makes the cottage lifestyle unique and (for some) worthwhile. And it's illustrated with a cross-section of styles from the San Francisco Bay area, from Maybeck to Modern, Victorian to Houseboat.

   I find the photos relaxing, informative, and inspiring. The text is thought-provoking without being pseudo-intellectual, enthusiastic without being preachy. The book seeks to examine the pro's and con's of cottage living in less than 1000 sq. ft., and to portray the beauty in these San Francisco gems.

   The book, like the cottage lifestyle it espouses, is neither large nor showy, but will be appreciated by those who would trade size and complexity for style with an open air of honest simplicity, who prefer herb tea over canned soda pop, who understand the essence of the artist's dictum "less is more".




2. I read about this book in an amazon customer review that was attached to another book, so I got this. Mistake! Iwas hoping to get some ideas and inspiration, but all I found here was a lineup of depressing little homes. And mostly in beiges and brown. I couldn't wait to escape from the pages of this book. Also, the book's title suggests that this will be about cottages, in general, but it's about San Francisco area cottages.If you want cottage-style decorating, this is not the book for you. It won't help you much if you want to build a new cottage either. it's more like a little term paper on one region's homes.



3. I am a native San Franciscan living in a middle-of-the-block cottage in what the author calls "that quirky San Francisco tradition of a back yard house." With the assistance of Sally B. Woodbridge's excellent historical introduction, Richard Sexton describes our San Francisco Bay Area cottages perfectly. The superb photographs complement quotes from some of the owners regarding what they think about their cottages: "Living in a cottage is somewhat like living on a ship. One learns to be very selective about possessions. The trade-off is the uniqueness of the living experience." And "Finding your cottage is like Goldilocks finding the chair that is just right. It wraps around you in cozy fashion and all seems right with the world." I've given copies of this book to friends who live elsewhere because it captures not only the joy of living in one of these cottages but helps all of us, no matter where we live, gain a better sense of home.



4. An informative, enjoyable, aesthetically pleasing book about the cottages and cottage styles of San Francisco. The first chapter tells the story of how San Francisco cottages developed, and then specific cottages are showcased. Many views are of the exteriors, but some include interior photos with the homeowners' stories and quotes. Many individual cottages and styles are shown, providing variety and a feast for the eye. This book is a great "get-away" when you can't actually get away, and leads to very pleasant daydreaming.

No comments about The Picturesque: Architecture, Disgust and Other Irregularities (The Classical Tradition in Architecture).

No comments about Foster Catalogue 2001 (Architecture).