Editorial Review

In this fanciful volume, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, founder of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (O.M.A.), both analyzes and celebrates New York City. By suggesting the city as the site for an infinite variety of human activities and events--both real and imagined--the essence of the metropolitan lifestyle, its "culture of congestion" and its architecture are revealed in a brilliant new light. "Manhattan," Koolhaas writes, "is the 20th century's Rosetta stone . . . occupied by architectural mutations (Central Park, the Skyscraper), utopian fragments (Rockefeller Center, the U.N. Building), and irrational phenomena (Radio City Music Hall)." Filled with fascinating facts, as well as photographs, postcards, maps, watercolors, and drawings, the vibrancy of Koolhaas's poignant exploration of Gotham equals the heady, frenetic energy of the city itself. Anyone who loves New York will want to own this book. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Eating oysters with boxing gloves, naked, on the nth floor.
The quote written above is excerpted from Delirious New York. It is a perfect example of the lyrical quality of the writing prevalent throughout this amazing book. Delirious New York is not an objective chronological listing of New York's development, but a collection of manifestos and stories with opinionated perspectives about a city founded on the idea that maximum congestion is a desirable factor. It is informative, funny (the midget firefighters of Coney Island had me laughing aloud for a solid minute or two), twisted, and inspiring.
best koolhaas ever, man
koolhaas is a bit over-the-top for me, but this I think is is best work. it's worth checking out if only for the story of coney island. once you get past blisteringly pretentious phrases like "coney island is a fetal manhattan", you'll find it gloriously entertaining as both a narrative and theoretical work.

the culture of congestion
This is by far Koolhaas's most accessible work, as it is rooted so clearly in detail from the city's past. Further, the book is simply brilliant. His take on urban history is to Jane Jacobs what Socrates is to common sense. New York is a special case of modernism that sprang from a special constellation of poltiical and technological forces that collectively create a cultural "big-bang" at the turn of the century. Read it. Blow your mind. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American architecture    2. Architecture    3. Buildings    4. Criticism    5. New York    6. New York (N.Y.)    7. New York (State)    8. New York - Local History    9. Planning    10. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    11. Social History    12. U.S. Architecture - General    13. Art / Subjects & Themes / General    14. Local history    15. USA   

Subjects:  1. Architectural & Industrial    2. Architecture    3. City planning    4. History - General    5. New York    6. New York (State)    7. Planning    8. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    9. U.S. Architecture - General    10. Urban renewal    11. Architecture / Planning   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. General    5. Interior Design - General    6. International Architecture - General    7. Reference   

Reviews (5)

Great book for my overseas guests
I have purchased this book for my departing aupair's for the past several years.While they certainly take pictures themselves they would never have a collection of photographs this large and they also get to see a bit of the history of Chicago. There are a lot of good pictures that will certainly spark many happy memories.For this purpose I would recommend it.

Nice Review of Past and Present
I enjoyed this book.Some of the pictures do not compare well because they were taken at different angles or from a different side of the street.Nevertheless, this is a great book.I found lots of stuff to compare.Native Chicagoans, who take an interest in the city, will like it.I purchased it for my brother for Christmas...liked it so much I purchased one for myself.

flawed but fun Chicago historical pictorial
I have several of these "then and now" books, and I would say this is the weakest of the bunch.I dearly love Chicago, and some of the old photographs were very interesting, but the book has a few problems.First, the photographic perspectives are rarely in synch, so it is difficult to compare the two pictures directly; either the angle is off to the side, or it's at a different distance.This seems rather to defeat the purpose of a "then and now" theme, which is to facilitate comparison.Secondly, a great many of the buildings and scenes are virtually identical to what they were, so one wonders why they were included.Finally, a map should have been included.Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Chicago (Ill.)    3. History    4. History - General    5. History: American    6. Pictorial works    7. U.S. Architecture - General    8. United States - General    9. United States - State & Local - General    10. Sale Books   

Reviews (7)

biggest, most comprehensive book on Venetian Art and architecture.
It ranks side by side with the other book The art of Florence. Ihave these books and I have lot's of books about Venice. But on the subject of art and architecture. This is the most comprehensive to date.
Magnificent!
I concur with others who reviewed this book and give it top billing!The photos are exquisitely clear and are a good representation of what the city offers.The text is quite complete, although I, too, would have liked to have seen more on Venetian glass.Another fabulous collection for those who love the jewel of a city or for any lover of fine art and architecture.

Venice Art & Architecture
I borrowed these books from a friend. I could not believe my eyes.They are most fantastic! I have ordered a set for myself. I recommend them highly! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. European    4. General    5. History - European    6. History - Medieval    7. International Architecture - European    8. Art   

Editorial Review

Who are the world's most exciting up-and-coming architects? Read more

Reviews (3)

Refreshing
As a web designer, going through this book of beauifully designed homes and buildings give me layout and design ideas. Full color with large pictures and descriptions, I would reccomend this book for starting architects.

Spectacular
I am currently a design student - and this is an indispensible resource for recent and fairly obscure architecture. Has full rich photos and a wealth of information inside. Great selection of buildings as well. The photos can be used for ideas on detailing to spacial organization. I highly recommend this to anyone who needs to get a fresh breath of air and clean out the cobwebs. Everytime I close it I am ready to design.

Wonderful book
I was thrilled when I received this book. Being an architect myself, I appreciated the excellent photos and disussion of the featured persons in my profession. A wonderful book that will be a worthwhile read for anyone with an admiration or even mild curiosity in the subject. Highly recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. History - General    3. International Architecture - General    4. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    5. Architecture / General   

Reviews (5)

Arcadian splendor
Bohlin Cywinski Jackson have a long illustrious history stemming from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to Seattle, Washington.As such, this beautiful collection of twelve "arcadian" homes represent the tip of the iceberg of their collective work.In these immaculate residences you will find their signature details, many of them by James Cutler, who worked with Peter Bohlin on the Gates Residence and other projects.You will marvel at the romanticism of the Adirondack Retreat on Lake George, New York, with its granite boulder fireplace and natural cedar and fir interiors.Then there is the Endless Mountain House, located in Northeastern Pennsylvania, with its projected balconies atop crumbling fieldstone walls with a towering chimney anchoring one end of this evocative residence.The house appears as though it were built over ancient ruins.Nestled within these idyllic residential projects is the Pacific Rim Estate, co-authored by Bohlin and Cutler for Bill Gates on Lake Washington, near Seattle.It is a stunning work, not so much in its assemblage as in its marvelous kit of parts, from a barrel-vaulted garage buried into the wooded landscape to the beautiful timber connections in the main body of the residential complex.Here we see brute concrete and heavy timber blended naturally into the landscape, making for a surprisingly unassuming compound that incorporated many sustainable design features, including recycled heavy timber posts and beams.

Stunning Hardcover on Top Architect
This is one of the most well crafted books on a single architect. The scale and quality of the photographs, the packaging, it is the best gift you can offer to someone who has a passion for materials and detail.

outstanding!
an absolute treasure.this quite weighty volume covers thetop-notch residential work of BCJ in great detail - beautiful drawings and photography all work together to illustrate these wonderful buildings...highly recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Firms    2. Architecture    3. Domestic    4. Individual Architect    5. U.S. Architecture - General    6. Architecture / Individual Architect    7. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (5)

Wow! Nice book and for a nice price!
For anyone who loves to do the Sunday-afternoon-drive-around-and-look-at-old-houses thing, this is the book for you. The quality of the photos is really impressive and while I suppose it'd best be described as a coffee-table book, it also contains a fair quantity of information about the houses and their style and influence and history of design.
You have to be out of your mind to like this book
This book is the evident that the housing projects in the United States are mere products of the market force that lack inspiration, imagination, and progressive attitude.People who praise this book for its beautiful photographs only expose the biggest flaw in this book: there is no content.All the homes in this book are built on false premises of consumerist culture.There is no attempt to make the houses affordable or challenging the notion of domestic living.People may have bought the book because they like the drape or the furniture in it, but you will be better off buying yourself a copy of Martha Stewart's "Living" for that purpose.Don't waste your money on propelling the cycle of our wasteful culture, give that money to the charity and you will sleep better at night.

Multo-Bene! Aram
This book documents what I have understood for many years. BLA is one the premier american residential architectural firms. Beautiful work! Fabulous projects! A joy to peruse. The book has interior and exterior photos of several "Pure" California design approaches from Spanish, to Coastal, to Tuscan style. If you are building a home, or enjoy good architecture, you will not be disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Domestic    3. General    4. U.S. Architecture - General   

Reviews (36)

An Excellent Reference
As an architect, I use this book as a reference tool. The library of photos contained within this book sometimes help when trying to develop the characteristics of a certain style of building.I have even used to with a few clients who say thay want this or that look. I then have them thumb through this book and show them the style they have mentioned only to have then say "No, this is the style I'm talking about" pointing to another style.
And it has a Sears Home inside!!
For many years, I've written about historic architecture and vintage homes and have also written four books on this topic (including "The Houses That Sears Built").
Excellent Primer and Reference
"Field Guide" is the first reading required of all graduate students in at least one highly esteemed university degree program in historic preservation.It is also one of those rare books that serves well as both an introduction to and a reference for its subject.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Description and travel    4. Domestic    5. Guidebooks    6. Guides    7. Reference    8. U.S. Architecture - General    9. United States    10. Architecture / Reference   

Reviews (3)

Virtues of the Ranch House
"These modest homes were the fulfillment of the American middle-class dream, bringing a higher standard of living to average people, and giving birth to a whole new way of life. There is a type of beauty in their simplicity, their efficient use of space, and the creativity with which they employed inexpensive materials to deliver a modern look." ~Rob Keil
Beautiful Book, Important Topic
This is a great book that finally gives America's "average" midcentury tract houses their due. The photos are beautiful and the information is great. Eichler, Levittown, Westlake, and other midcentury neighborhoods are pictured along with detailed information on remodeling, restoring, and preserving these underappreciated little gems of modernism. It's a nice coffee-table presentation of the subject that is pleasing to just flip through for the sake of the photos, but also informative enough to spend some real time with.

Mid-Century Marvels
Having just purchased my 1954 Mid-Century Marvel I was ecstatic to find this book.It has become an essential resource guide to help me restore my Mid-Century Marvel to its former glory.It is full of gorgeous photography, decorating ideas, and it even has a section on landscaping.This book is a must have for any Mid-Century enthusiast.Simply, excellent!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architectural Design    3. Architecture    4. Design & Construction    5. Domestic    6. History - Specific Styles    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Interior Design - General    9. Ranch houses    10. Residential Buildings Architecture    11. U.S. Architecture - General    12. United States    13. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (8)

Short review
A very interessting and nice book if you are a fan of japanese architecture. Great pictures and very good information about the ancient and actuel way of life in Japan.

Great Inspiration
Book has many different design themes all with first rate photography to inspire anyone considering a remodel or who just has an appreciation of Japanese architecture.

should cherish the style as Japanese too
I am a man that lives in Tokyo, the metropolitan of Japan. Recently in about thirty years, Japanese living styles have changed extremely, that is, the styles are getting to be foreign styles, the windows: not Syouji, tables: not Tyabudai, floorings: not tatami and so on. Especially in big city like Tokyo, Oosaka and Nagoya the tendency is plain. Though there will be the many reasons that recent Japan have gotten to be such situations, recent Japanese especially young men may wish such cool design like European style, for instance, a data was reported a few years ago, the length of foots per over-all body height of Japanese students have gotten to be long, some specialists of the genre say that the cause will be that young men use chairs of styles that stretch their legs, not the Seiza style that have existed from long ago. Off course the cause may be by other aspects like abundant foods. But I approve about the opinion of specialists too.
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Subjects:  1. Architectural Detail    2. Architecture    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Design & Construction    5. Interior Design - General    6. International Architecture - Asian    7. Residential Interior Design   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Criticism    3. General    4. History    5. History - General    6. International Architecture - European    7. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (14)

Wonderful Book!
Great book!The minute I opened it I knew it was going to be a thrilling trip to another time in California history.Beautiful pictures of grand homes, grounds, and other structures built with Spanish and Mexican influence.If you want just one book covering this subject, this would be the one to buy.Highly recommend.

Images of California Style
CSAS CALIFORNIA is one of the coffee table books bound to please not only those who live in California and are eager to study examples of California architecture termed Spanish Revival, butalso a fine gift for those out of state friends who wonder if California has any history before 1950!
Not that special
I didn't glean anything more from this book that I couldn't have gathered on a Sunday drive. Most of the pictures are of exteriors and amazingly enough, none of them really inspires appretiation of this architechtural style. I'm an absolute sucker for Spanish Colonial. There's almost nothing built during the classic era of the 1920's and '30's that I don't swoon over. This book, however, compiled some of the least attractive examples of that style and ends up being thoroughly disappointing. Definitely look elsewhere if your objective is designing interior details that honor the classics. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Architecture, Spanish    4. California, Southern    5. Design & Construction    6. Influence    7. Regionalism in architecture    8. Residential Buildings Architecture    9. U.S. Architecture - South    10. Vernacular Architecture    11. Architecture / Interior Design    12. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    13. USA   

Reviews (1)

Hampton Havens Review
The book was purchased for an anniversary gift for my daughter who resides on one of the Hamptons.She liked the book and even was familiar with the owner of the garden on the cover. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Decorating - General    4. Design & Construction    5. Domestic    6. Gardens    7. Hamptons    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Interior Design - General    10. Interior decoration    11. New York (State)    12. U.S. Architecture - General    13. Architecture / Domestic    14. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (1)

Great monograph for your collection~
This is the latest monograph on Tadao Ando and despite its steep price, its sheer size alone can justify its value.Although the title states "complete works," the monograph focuses onselect projects from the mid-70's to the present (there is however, a list of his complete works in the back with single b/w photos in an index format). Although many of the projects that are featured here can be found in other Ando monographs, the extra large photographs of his projects reveal a new sense of space to projects that we are already familiar with.In addition, this monograph also features preliminary sketches of projects and some photos that have not been published before.New projects that you won't be able to find in his other monographs include the 4x4 house, Ground Zero Project, etc.A great book to have in your collection and so far, the grandest of all of Ando's publications.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Individual Architect    3. International Architecture - Asian    4. Individual architects   

Reviews (4)

Where R U Karrie?
I maybe a fool for architectural discourse but The Perfect $100,000 House is as redolent of architectural joy as the Witold Rybczynski book of the eponymous title The Perfect House: Travels with the Master: Anrdea Palladio.Karrie Jacobs just put a price on it.
Very Interesting Book!
Karrie Jacob's book, The Perfect $100,000 House, tackles a problem I've been wondering about for a long time--why is the majority of housing in America today extraordinarily expensive crap?Do people in this country just have no taste, or is it that they have no choice? Is good design only for those who can afford a custom single family residence of 500K and up?
Why the pre-fab movement has gained so many followers
A diary of one woman's search for what seems so reasonable on paper--a modern home on a budget--the strength of this book is its many entertaining interviews with people who are both part of the mainstream homebuilding industry and those that are trying to offer an alternative. If you've heard about pre-fab, this is a good way to learn why it's exciting--but why it only addresses part of the problem.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Domestic    4. General    5. Psychological aspects    6. Residential Buildings Architecture    7. Themes, motives    8. U.S. Architecture - General    9. United States    10. Architecture / Domestic   

Reviews (2)

Inspiration for western architects and craftsmen
Among our collection of a dozen or more illustrated books about Japanese architecture and design, this is by far the best. The exquisite photographs are accompanied by a thorough yet interesting explanation of the various traditional styles found in Japanese architecture.
Great Book on Real Japanese Interiors
Beautiful photos of great interiors.Mostly traditional Japanese homes as they are currently lived in.Features homes with collections of traditional Japanese crafts.Also, some modern homes designed with Japanese aesthetic.I would also recommend the book "Japanese Style". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Domestic    3. Interior Design - General    4. International Architecture - Asian    5. Home furnishing & decoration    6. Interior design    7. Japan   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (6)

Beautiful pics, interesting copy
Well worth the price...we had just returned from a weekend in Palm Springs and this book gave us interesting background and history and also great photographs.

An Inspiration
This book has enough information in it to turn you into a bit of an expert on Palm Springs mid-century architecture. It has enough beautiful photography and helpful floorplans to make you want a piece of it. My sisters and I are going there in two weeks. We want to see the Alexander tract homes.
Desert Area Living starts with Mid Century Architecture
When I read Palm Springs Weekend I am again reunited with past memories of wonderful warm days and evenings my wife and I spent driving all these neighborhoods. We quickly realized that instead of shouting out to each other ...."Oh my god!! Look at how cool that house is? We would only say something if the house was ugly, the drive quickly became very silent, but our jaws were still on the ground and eyes blink free. Palm Springs is a living museum of style and design and has been flawlessly presented amongst these pages. After driving around for several months drooling on people's doorsteps, we packed it up in LA and headed east. We now own 3 very interesting Mid Century Modern homes in Palm Springs, I sell Real Estate specializing in Mid Century Modern Architecture and life has never been better. Pick up the book, jump on a plane or in a car and come see what all the hype is about, trust me you wont be disappointed with this lifestyle. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Buildings, structures, etc    4. California    5. Criticism    6. Domestic    7. Palm Springs    8. Palm Springs (Calif.)    9. U.S. Architecture - General    10. Architecture / General    11. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Editorial Review

While Newport, Rhode Island, may not have been the birthplace of shingle style, it certainly became--somewhere around the 1860s--a stronghold for an approach that would become popular in American architecture. Established as a major shipping port in the mid-18th century, Newport went on to become a fashionable destination for the wealthy and the ambitious who took a liking to enormous houses (which they referred to as "cottages") which were built along the eastern shore of Aquidneck Island. Read more

Reviews (8)

Great Book - Well worth the read
The book "SHINGLE STYLES Innovation and Tradition in American Architecture 1874 to 1982" is a truely exquisite book. The shingle style architecture is one of the last american architectural styles, and should be deeply cherished. The book has beautiful photographs by Bret Morgan and flowing text by Leland M. Roth. The book brings you through time, starting in the gilded age with lavish country homes, and ending in recent 1982, again displaying a lavish country home, stating the continuation of the shingle style. While reading the book you tend to have vicarious dreams of living in the later 1800s, going to the country home with the faimly and walking along the beach or senic country path, with your shingle villa in the background. The book makes a fine contribution to any library, and in my library it is prominately positioned in reach of all that wish to indulge in the enjoyment of the shingle style of architecture. I strongly recomend this book, and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Delectable
A truly delectable book! After chewing it over thoroughly from cover to cover, I've been dreaming of shady porches, snug fireplaces, the smell of old houses in the rain. Bret Morgan is a wonderful photographer; his pictures evoke all of this -- I ate them up!

"...a treasure trove..."
"Shingle Styles" is a treasure trove of architectural images and ideas. We are planning a new house inspired by the Shingle Style and this book has been most helpful in talking to our architect and contractor. Themore recent houses are particularly helpful in thinking about adapting ahistoric style to our contemporary needs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. Architectural Detail    4. Architecture    5. Architecture, Domestic    6. Decoration & Ornament    7. Domestic    8. Residential Buildings Architecture    9. Shingle style    10. U.S. Architecture - General    11. United States    12. Architecture / Decoration & Ornament    13. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    14. USA    15. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (4)

Thumbs Up
I would recommend this book if you're looking for something with great pictures and a brief narrative.The photos were good in that they weren't all taken in the summer, as in most books of this type.It was nice to see these historic homes in the spring bloom, fall colors and winter white-scape.Of course the summer shots were also beautiful.A good book for your own or for a gift.

Gorgeous Old Dominion
Gleason really excelled in books of this kind, he really knew how to capture these old grand buildings.This book is first rate and it covers all of the well known homes as well as some that may not be so familiar.All of his books of this genre are consistantly top notch.The colors are vibrant and just pop off the page.I recommend this book to anyone interested in the grandeur of the Old South, it's just amazing how many of these houses survived the Civil War, with battles often within earshot of the veranda.

Beautifully presented
Beautiful photos, good text, but awkward size (doesn't fit on book shelf) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Dwellings    3. Houses    4. Pictorial works    5. Plantations    6. Residential Buildings Architecture    7. Travel    8. U.S. Architecture - South    9. United States - State & Local - General    10. Virginia    11. Residential buildings, domestic buildings