No comments about And Guide Shanghai: Architecture And Design (And Guides).

5 comments about Morphosis, Vol. 3: Buildings and Projects, 1993-1997.

1. The information presented in the book is good--no doubt about that. But the graphics of the book is too much--it takes away a lot from one's ability to clearly read and understand the drawings. Whoever designed it does too much to overwhelm the senses and as a result, the reader is left confused and thumbing page to page trying to figure out what is going on. Also, the quality of the binding is rather lackluster--after about half way through the book, the binding (which was basically a piece of paper HOT GLUED on to the pages) fell apart. Thom Mayne's work is interesting (and perhaps nothing more than that) but he doesn't much help his case if the quality of the design and the construction of the book is this BAD.



2. I have seen a lot of books on Morphosis out there. Some are more projects' photographs, other are of single projects drawing, philosophy and graphic. This one is a graphic masterpiece. I bought this when I was an architect student and it helped me layout the foundation of my portfolio and presentation. I don't necessary design like Morphosis, but love how they projected their projects to the curious eyes. This is a very thick book, of mostly weird angles FormZ's renderings mixed with CAD drawings. You get tried of looking at rendering pages after pages, but each project is unique in its own. My friends and roommates borrow this book the most of all the books in my architectural library, by far. The cover is very cool, but the pages were cheaply glue or constructed and it break apart, under heavy browsing. I repair this book with zappa-gap many times. So this is my #1 architectual book.



3. One of the few architecture books at the brick and mortor bookstore that isn't sealed shut with shrink wrap. After I flipped through it I immediately bought it through amazon. It is designed by Cranbrook design superstar Lorraine Wild, the design perfectly represents what Morphosis is about. I take it from the other reviewers that they only looked at the images and did not read anything at all because they did not "get it". Their work is delivered as a cyberpunk novel outtake, the setting an industrial dance club with torture devices. There is a wonderful surreal short story that acts as a sort of guide to viewing the work as well. I am not an architect but this is inspirational enough for me to spend half a decade in school to become one. Reminds me of the Jean Tinguely book published in the early 70's (with sketch overlays) and a similar design philosophy as Low/Tek



4. Being an architecture student, I constantly refer to many books, and Morphosis is one of my favourite contemporary architecture firm. This is really a thick and quite a heavy book. Its a compilation of many of Morphosis' work. Their "Best Of.." volume. This marvelous edition is divided into 2 parts. The first part consist of many colourful computer generated views, elevations, plans and 3D computer models etc of their buildings. The 3D models give a good visual understanding of their complicated but exciting buildings. The second part consist of essays by Thom Mayne. The thing about Morphosis is Mayne's writing is clear. He states his intention and theories clearly without getting out of the subject of architecture much. He talks about the difference between a project and a building which is a very good way of looking at architecture today. The graphics and writing provide a very clear understanding of their buildings. The bottom line is, if you like Morphosis, you'll love this book among your collection.



5. neat drawings, but this book is for hard-core fans of Morphosis. the amount of graphic information enclosed is staggering at first, but once you own it you will get bored with it. there is no meat on these bones. the text, tellingly placed in the back like an afterthought,is meaningless. i doubt anyone without prior experience with Morphosis' projects would really understand what he is up to.

1 comments about The Architecture of Baltimore: An Illustrated History.

1. If you're intersted in the development of East Coast architecture, this is an invaluable tool, particularly if you're familiar with the City of the Chesapeake Bay.

2 comments about Florence: The City and Its Architecture.

1. While spending a week in Florence in April, visiting many museums that do not allow interior photographs, I noticed this book in a museum gift shop. I copied the ISBN and purchased from Amazon once I arrived home so I could avoid carting books home and getting a very good price from Amazon. The book is beautiful and provided insight into a city that has evolved over many centuries.



2. Florence: The City And Its Architecture by architect and architectural historian Richard Goy is an astounding, profusely illustrated coffee table book showcasing the architectural majesty of this proud Italian city. Filled from cover to cover with superb color photographs of some of Florence's most eye-catching, stately, and historical treasures of architectural excellence, the extensive and informative text takes the reader on a memorable tour through the city as well as its architectural history. Florence: The City And Its Architecture is an enthusiastically recommended addition to any academic Architectural History collection, and would make a superb choice as a Memorial Acquisition title for public library systems as well.

1 comments about A Pride of Place: Rural Residences of Fauquier County, Virginia.

1. This is a must have for any owner of a home built in Fauquier county in the 18th or early 19th century. It is also appealing to general historians and residents of the county and of Virginia.
   
   While I was disappointed that my 150 year old home was not listed or its carpenter discussed (he was after all a Yankee transplant after the war between the states) the historical information was fascinating and is a very good reference for both County history and Architecture.

No comments about Cool Shops Berlin (Cool Shops).

1 comments about Myths in Stone: Religious Dimensions of Washington, D.C..

1. Who would have thought of Washington, D.C. as a spiritual destination? You will think so after reading this rich, soulful guidebook to the capital's architectural idiosyncrasies. This author, whom I find more inspiring and much more readable than mythologist Joseph Campbell, escorts the reader on a journey to the mythic center of what Lincoln called "the last great hope of mankind." What better time in our history to visit and revisit it as sacred space. In the words of the author, "to visit Washington is to experience the retelling of a story of mythic proportions." The conclusions Meyer draws from his epiphany, described in the chapter entitled "Reflections," are alone worth the price of the book.

1 comments about Photographs of New York Interiors at the Turn of the Century.

1. This is a large paperback book filled with over 130 photographs (all in black and white) taken by JOSEPH BYRON (aka: "Lord Byron") during the Gilded Age.
   The book is well-bound and each page is smooth and heavy.
   
   In the back of the book, the author explains each photo (ie: PLATE). This is very helpful to the reader, as I will explain further in my last few paragraphs.
   
   Anyhow, in the book's Introduction, the author explains a brief background of the Gilded Age, and then goes on to categorize the homes, owners, and also the public institutions, into specific categories. This Introductory chapter is important because it places the photos in their correct perspective.
   
   Also in the Introduction, the author shows photos of some (though not all) of the homes as seen on the OUTSIDE, during the time that the book's INDOOR photos were actually taken. This too, is quite important because most of the homes & institutions photographed in this book are no longer in existence (since the photographed structures have, sadly, been demolished in order to make room for "modern" N.Y. buildings).
   
   In addition, in the Introduction, the author explains the reason why some of the photos were taken and why some of the owners allowed these photos to be taken.
   
   To go further.... I especially liked the photos of the bathrooms and kitchens, since "Joseph/Lord Byron" photographed a variety of these personal home spaces within years of each other, and thus showing the changes in decour from one home to the next.
   
   JOSEPH BYRON's photos are absolutely amazing, especially when we think that these HUGE photos were taken over 100 years ago, and that he used an unusually large tri-pod camera and a special "light flash".
   
   Basically, "Joseph/Lord Byron" positioned his camera and flash in a special way to capture the best angles of the interiors. As the author stated in the Preface, the woods used in most homes of the Gilded Age were the darker stained woods (eg: dark cherry, dark mohogany, rosewood, darkly stained oak & walnut & pecan woods). Therefore , the photos of the wealthier homes looks all as though they were decorated by the same person. Of course that is not the case, but the similarities in the wealthy homes` "styles" occurred because these darker woods were what the people found to be attractive & were very much a la mode. To top things off, the homes were decorated with intricate tapestries and dark rugs, and also very heavy draperies in darker burgundy colors, & dark browns and deep greens, so in totality, the homes do somehow all look quite dark .
   
   It is also so much fun to look at all the "bric-a-bracs", furniture, Art pieces, and architectural details that were so popular a century ago.
   Sometimes the author of this book would show the contrasts of two of Lord Byron's photos, in order to make this book even more fascinating. For example, the photo of the very poor tenament family that was shown in their ONE ROOM apartment, is right below the photo of a lavish home that probably contained over 23 bedrooms alone! The contrast is amazing, and sad at the same time. However, the author wanted to prove 2 points by showing these contrasts: 1) that Lord Byron photographed not only the wealthy citizens, but also the average people that lived in New York a century ago; and 2) the author also wanted to show the flexibility of Lord Byron's skill when he took his famous photographs.
   
   The latter quarter part of this book shows photos of the interiors of some public institutions from 100 years ago. These photos are also absolutely amazing! Joseph/Lord Byron took most of these public photos with people in them so the reader can see what people actually looked like back then!! Just to look at the clothes and hairstyles that people wore can intrigue the reader for hours.
   
   Example: Some of these public photos show men getting their hair cut in a Barber Shop. Or another photo shows some "single" ladies eating lunch at a TEA HOUSE. Another photo shows the hall to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel during a luxury auto show. Another photo shows two nurses walking down the stairs of the Vanderbilt wing of a hospital. Other photos show wealthy "Gentlemen's Halls", complete with spittons,railbars,mirrored saloon walls, etc., and in contrast Lord Byron would also photograph a more common saloon where the average citizen might attend.
   
   There are so many photographs to describe, but space will just not allow.

No comments about Birkhäuser Architectural Guide Switzerland 20th Century (Birkhauser Architectural Guides).

No comments about Domesticity at War.