No comments about Country Patterns 1841-1883: A Sampler of Nineteenth Century Rural Homes & Gardens.

1 comments about New Forms: Architecture in the 1990s (Taschen's World Architecture).

1. This book illustrated to us that as we are in tne new millenia, functionalism is no longer adequate to fulfill the purpose of architecture. Rather, art plays a pivotal role to complete the whole picture. There are ample of illustrations & pictures to justify such an argument. Many examples are to be seen in the excess of the 80s. Even though extravagant pieces are rarer these days, there are still odd ones that manage to stand out from the crowd, notably, the Guggenheim Museum in Spain, Groninger Museum in the Netherlands, La Flamme in Japan. The author also does much justice to the much overlooked Asian architecture with emphasis on Japan with discussions on Tadao Ando, Isamu Noguchi, Issey Miyake, Arata Isozaki. There are also discussions of certain architects who transcend the boundary from art,interior design, product & textile design into architecture, & vice versa. Some that are worth mentioning are Frank Stella, Philippe Starck (voila~), Alessandro Mendini, etc. What an exemplary book to feast & I have no hesitation recommending this book to architecture lover worldwide~

No comments about Spirit and Place.

1 comments about Venice and the Renaissance.

1. that would have been infinitely more useful to the Anglophone reader if it had not been given such an awful translation from the Italian. Not only does the translator frequently misconstrue idiomatic expressions (so that the author's ambitious socio-cultural interpretations come out sounding rather goofy), but often enough the meaning gets inverted, resulting in contradictions and absurdities. Tafuri is theoretically inclined (his sociology is non-ideologically Marxist), and does not write the plainest prose, but the Englishing of his text is a travesty!

2 comments about The Un-Private House.

1. An amazing book of an equally amazing exhibition. The book continues where the exhibition left off, questioning what is private and what is not in each of the houses. More than that, the reader should look at each house and the "architectural letter" that it claims to write. Koolhaas' house is a Corbusian critique with a Miesian base. Xavier's house si definately Corbu, the slow house is a slug....and more. Each is an individual criticism on modern architecture and/or on the state of architecture today.

   A note:
   This is the most comprehensive list of architects that we should look out for....and are the worlds' best. Also if anyone can understand each of these projects, he has understood 80% of architecture today....(but that is if he "reads" each of the houses :-) Each house is prototypical of the architect's interests and what drives him.....see the house and you will understand all his other projects.

   BTW get that Menil house out of there. There is no letter he is writing.....




2. Terrence Riley's introduction to the museum of modern art show's "The Unprivate House" sets up a great framework for categorizing the architectural intent of the 26 examples of residential design represented in this show. Riley reminds us that historically privacy was not always associated with dwellings. Just when we may have become committed to private dwellings, this book challenges that notion and asks us to consider the reality of our revolution in communication and media, complex multi-generational housing needs, and the fact that many homes actually house only a single person. This book provokes the question; what is the character of the housing that will best suit our changing times? Each of the examples challenges our thinking in some way concerning the design of residences today; e.g. should a mixed-use work/home space be clearly divided into distinct sections-even in distinct architectural materials or forms- or should these functions merge together, as is the case in the house designed for wall street currency traders (they even have a video monitor above their jacuzzi). Privacy is challenged to the greatest degree in the structure that closes itself off from the street with a literal "curtain wall." A perceived building line is virtually non- existent when the curtains are open.

No comments about White.

1 comments about Building Contractor's Checklists and Forms.

1. While the lists are comprahensive, the forms are rather simplistic. By scanning the lists, it may help jog your memory to remember a tool or step that may be needed. But as a business tool, it is very poor. The forms are too simplistic to be used in the real world. I would not recommend the book, other than a quick reference if you are planning on building your own forms or lists.

No comments about Modern Woodworking Techniques (Best of Fine Woodworking).

No comments about Estimating in Building Construction/Book and Disk.

2 comments about 30 St Mary Axe: A Tower for London.

1. This book was super helpful and informative for a project we were doing for this building!



2. Since its completion in 2004, 30 St. Mary Axe, known to Londoners as 'The Gherkin', has become a landmark, sporting a curved form in the heart of London's financial center. But it's so much more: renowned designers built it in just thirty-three months, and incorporated design innovations still being remarked upon today. Author Kenneth Powell is a leading architecture critic and well versed on 30 St. Mary Axe: chapters cover nearly every stage in the design and building process. While this book will most likely reach art school holdings and collections strong in architectural analysis, it also will hold interest for any collection strong on London history and culture.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch