When we think of Barcelona, the eclectic art of Antoni Gaudí immediately springs to mind. It is present in every corner of the city. Or we think of the Olympic Ring with the tower designed by Santiago Calatrava; but these are only two aspects of the exquisite beauty of the Catalan capital which has been able to blend old and new in a unique and unpredictable way. The traditional Gothic architecture has a discreet historical flavor, while the buildings that have appeared in the past 10 years reflect modern art trends like Cubism, Neo-plasticism, and Futurism. Named the European capital of innovation in 2014, the city boasts extremely distinctive urban planning because of the unusual bevelled corners on city blocks that provide more open street intersections, with extra space for outdoor cafés and seating, that give the city its particularly sociable community atmosphere.
Richard Manion Architecture creates distinctive residences and estates with a respect for traditional forms and historic imagery adapted to modern living. The curated selection of rarely published projects in this second volume of RMA’s work, Streamlined, demonstrates the firm’s signature classicist style, which draws upon traditional and streamlined classical, regional, and contemporary influences to reflect authentic details, proportions, and a sophisticated sense of place for the 21st century.
In this book, the firm’s focus is on the integration of modernism within an overall framework of simplicity and restraint, discretion and harmony. Academic studies of European modernism, with its visionary approach and embodiment of the machine age, have come back to inspire, but with the understanding that many of its roots can be traced back to the heritage of classical design principles. This exquisite, fully illustrated volume showcases RMA’s goal to unite ideas about tradition, history, and modernity in a synergy and explores the meaning of shared architectural imagery and heritage for our time.
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world because of its perfect blend of nature, environment, architecture and people. With almost complete preservation of architecture from all historical periods, Prague is second to none among other World Heritage cities for its richness, integrity and diversity. The city is like a European open-air museum of architectural art, and one of the indispensable destinations for architects and architecture lovers to travel in Europe.
Based on years of field and literature research by the authors, this book showcases the achievements of Prague’s thousand-year urban architectural changes and the protection of complete heritage.
Through the interpretation of 43 historic buildings from different periods, this book explores Prague’s urban characteristics and changes. Though priceless, most of these built heritages are beyond the focus of Western architectural history research, and their status and significance need to be readdressed and reassessed.
Text in English and Chinese.
Inspired by the book Made in Tokyo, Shanghai architectural scholar Li Xiangning and his team worked closely with its author, Yoshiharu Tsukamoto, to edit this book about the features of Shanghai city and its architecture. This book is a celebration of the particular elements of the architecture and urban design of Shanghai, and brings together 54 places that contribute to the unique DNA of the city. The photography, detailed drawings, and written pieces reveal Shanghai as it is to its residents. Whilst including well-known architectural features of Shanghai, the book also explores the less well-known elements that make Shanghai the city that it is.
Previously in a+u 12:01 Architecture in The Netherlands 2000-2011, which highlighted the country’s architecture scene after the 2008 global financial crisis, the construction industry faced a slowdown, and what we saw then as typically Dutch has gradually faded. Looking away from the ‘SuperDutch’ stigma, we now see projects combining broader social issues and since, take on a new form of cultural energy. In this issue, we examine the recent ten years of Dutch architecture discourse. Together with guest editor, Kirsten Hannema of nai010, 19 projects are selected and placed into three themes – ‘Reshaping the Polder’, ‘Tabula Scripta’, and ‘After the NAi’ – to introduce a new attitude on today’s architecture in The Netherlands the ‘SuperNormal’.
Text in English and Japanese.
Opening with the reflections of Indian architects Rohan Varma, Charles Correa and Rahul Mehrotra on the past, present and future of architecture and planning in Mumbai, the book maintains its expert local focus through a number of interviews, made with a wide variety of local and foreign architects and planners who work in Mumbai. The ins-and-outs of practising architecture and planning in this megacity are explored through their eyes. Small but exciting firms (such as Brio Architecture) find a place beside massive commercial architecture firms (including Hafeez Contractor) and activist architects (such as PK Das and Somaya & Kalappa). Teaching architecture in Mumbai is also discussed extensively. This book features several micro-initiatives that have come up with creative solutions for making the city more liveable and beautiful. A special acknowledgment must be reserved for Bas Losekoot, whose luxurious high-quality photography covers the many faces and facets of Mumbai. In his photo essay, he projects an intriguing new light on Mumbai and its inhabitants. Learning from Mumbai will be of interest to architects, planners, architecture and planning students, and for those thinking of starting an architecture or planning firm in India, as well as for anyone interested in Mumbai and Mumbai’s built environment.
This book has been designed to present several Ipostudio architecture projects produced in different periods that feature assonances and shared conceptual characteristics and principles. Ipostudio is a working group that was founded in Florence 40 years ago. It carries out architectural design in the sphere of civil architecture, specializing in the areas of social and health structures, schools, special types of residence, and social housing. The works presented in this book are unborn projects that never saw the light. Now, many years later, it seems only fair to give them another chance and, in a sense, a new life. The primary intention of this book is to tell the story of the origin and development of the design process. What do these unborn projects tell us? They have a great advantage: they will never be put to the test of reality but will remain a potential of outstanding ideas. Almost all the projects presented were conceived as entries in Italian and international architecture competitions. The book is divided into six chapters addressing various aspects of architectural composition through the critical interpretation of a series of works.
The Bund was once a mud land criss-crossed with farm fields, wild reeds, and a rooster fighting yard. Then its shape transformed dramatically looking similar to a European City, thus the mud Bund became the modern and attractive gold Bund. The stories of the Bund are about how the mud land turned into a billion-dollar skyline.
This book is a practiced journalist’s notebook about historical buildings in the Bund. The story of the Bund is the history of Shanghai’s rapid development. The book records the past and present details of 30 buildings on the Bund north of Yan ‘an East Road, and shares hundreds of architectural photos and historical pictures. The 30 buildings listed in the book are accompanied by the latest tourist tips, as well as colorful architectural maps of the Bund and data analysis charts. The great changes in Shanghai can be seen more clearly from the authors’ unique perspective.
Michelle Qiao has done arduous research in Xujiahui Library where abundant historical archives from Shanghai’s old English newspapers are kept. This book presents Bund architecture with the authors’ unique descriptions and vivid photos.
Text in English and Chinese.
This book presents around 100 buildings that were erected between 1917 and 2017, and are already considered to be classics of architectural history. With informative texts accentuated by photos, plans, archive material and, most importantly, facts (planners, construction period, addresses, access), this book is the holistic guide to Stuttgart’s incredible architecture that the world has been waiting for. Featured buildings are by: Theodor Fischer, Martin Elsaesser, Paul Bonatz, Paul Schmitthenner, Rolf Gutbrod, Paul Stohrer, Günther Behnisch, Hans Kammerer, Fritz Leonhardt, Frei Otto, Hans Scharoun, James Stirling, Schlaich und Partner, LRO, UN Studio, Auer und Weber, Atelier 5, Hascher Jehle, Wulf und Partner, and many more.
“In an era dominated by traditionalism on one hand and the emergence of modernity on the other, Lutyens’ work serves as a compelling testament to the brilliance of harmonizing these contrasting approaches.” — ArchEyes
Edwin Lutyens was one of the most famous architects of the 20th century. After he died in 1944, three large volumes of his drawings and photographs were commissioned and published by Country Life as a tribute.
All three volumes are in the process of being reissued. Having earned his reputation designing domestic buildings, he was soon given scope to expand his practice to the outdoors and to public projects. This second volume contains his extensive contributions to garden design and town planning, as well as the finest examples of his bridges and a selection of monumental civic constructions. These include various university buildings, the Johannesburg Art Gallery, the Washington Embassy and the Viceroy’s Palace in New Delhi.
The genius of Lutyens is now universally recognized. In the work featured in this book, we can now see not just the professionalism of a great architect, but also the loving care with which he set down the most minute detail, with the result that this is one of the few books in existence that can be used to provide working drawings.
Also available: The Architecture of Sir Edwin Lutyens: Volume 1, Country Houses ISBN 9781788842181.
This is a richly illustrated monograph revealing William T. Baker’s masterful detailing and superior craftsmanship of magnificent family residences. Showcasing 14 classically inspired homes of grace and beauty, each property reflects an astute comprehension of life as it is lived in the 21st century, with deliberate nods to historical aesthetics that coexist harmoniously with the architectural language of natural light, passive design themes, voluminous space, and fabulous comfort. Inspired by the bounty of classical architecture found in the grand homes of the southern United States, particularly the state of Georgia, the hallmarks of William T. Baker’s architecture are extraordinary attention to details of craftsmanship and construction, and a keen eye for scale and proportion. His work clearly reflects the aspirations of the American Dream. This beautifully photographed monograph of William T. Baker’s work is the third volume in IMAGES’ successful Classicist series, and showcases the exquisitely designed homes of the modern family, who entrusted Baker with their dreams and visions, and whose trust has been rewarded with classically inspired homes of grace and beauty. His work contributes greatly to some of the most aesthetically pleasing residences being built in the United States today.
Bricks, one of the earliest materials associated with both housing and the body, are the subject and object of this publication. In terms of human agency, bricks are the basic unit through which the artist introduces his designs in the landscape. Kaufmann uses this simple, yet tough, material to build up an imaginative world that is not linked solely to the bricks as such, but also to the symbolic charge they possess (the concept of transparency, physical and metaphorical walls, and their associated imaginative world). A total of ten works will be exhibited and Kaufmann himself presents each in the book. The introduction is edited by Anne-Claire Schumacher, who discusses Kaufmann’s development and his place in the history of ceramic art and in contemporary art as a whole. This is followed by a contribution by Luca Pattaroni, who views the topic from a socio-political perspective. The five main works set in the park of the Ariana Museum and the continuation into the museum’s basement are described and commented by the artist.
Text in English and French.
The terms ‘analogue architecture’ and ‘oldnew architecture’ are key aspects of the teaching of Miroslav Sik at the ETH Zurich. During his first period there (1983-1991), Sik worked as Senior Assistant at the Chair of Fabio Reinhart and was in effect the spokesman of an architectural movement that became renowned far beyond the borders of Switzerland and is still influential today. In 1986/1991, the compact movement presented itself to the public with a touring exhibition and an accompanying large-scale ‘Swiss Box’, including chalk perspective drawings of its projects. Miroslav Sik worked as a Full Professor at the ETH Zurich between 1999 and 2018 during his second period there. Since the 1990s, Sik’s theory and teaching have formed an important pillar of Swiss and international architectural history.
This extensive volume contains the best 90/120 works respectively by students from both periods of Miroslav Sik’s teaching, including plans, project descriptions and perspective diagrams. Some of the presented students went on to become renowned contemporary Swiss architects. This volume also includes the most important manifesto-like texts by Miroslav Sik and enlightening essays on the movement of analalogue and oldnew architecture.
This beautifully illustrated monograph chronicles the architecture of David C. Hovey, FAIA, and his influence on the discipline, as well as the story of his life and career. David Hovey founded Optima in 1978, with the goal of reinventing multifamily housing by combining development and design in a single company. Over the forty-plus years the company has existed, Hovey has built nearly 6,000 residential units. In the process, he has elevated the design of a building type that has, with a few exceptions, been left to developers to produce indifferent work. He challenges the market with something better, something worthy of enfolding families and individuals. Hovey is a modernist, steadfast in his belief in the future, in technology, in material honesty, in structural expression, and in architecture’s ability to improve the lives of people. His work has captured attention, winning critical acclaim as well as many national and regional awards for architecture. The dozen representative projects in this book range from single-family homes to towers and from the company’s early years to the present. Also showcased is Hovey’s work as an abstract sculptor, whose monumental work is installed at some of the multifamily projects examined here. A serious art collector of mostly twentieth-century art, Hovey’s acquisitions are detailed in an illustrated catalog at the end of the book.
Pierre Chareau, aménagements et architecture is an unprecedented synthesis of almost 80 interior architecture projects (1908-1938), both private and public, and his architectural projects (1925-1950).
It reveals the evolution of Pierre Chareau’s approach to interior design, from his beginnings as a decorator integrating his furniture into existing spaces, to the advent, over the course of his projects, of a resolutely architectural approach to space, in which furniture comes to life and becomes architecture in its own right. Listing all of these projects, it provides a detailed, illustrated analysis of twenty-five of them, most of which were commissioned by three families: the Dalsaces, the Bernheims and the Dreyfus.
This second volume reveals the designer’s long-term commitment to architecture. It looks back at his involvement in the CIAM, the Société des architectes modernes and the Rassemblement des architectes, as well as his collaboration with the magazine L’Architecture d’aujourd’hui. It offers a critical analysis of Pierre Chareau’s work as an architect, deciphering the 13 projects he worked on in France from 1923 to 1938, and in the United States from 1945 to 1950, from Djemil Anik’s cottage to Robert Motherwell’s studio in East Hampton. Finally, this book offers an in-depth analysis of the Glass House. By drawing up a portrait of Jean Dalsace and his wife Annie, it helps us to understand the central role played by those who commissioned the project. It looks back at the architectural and societal context of the time, explaining the importance of light and hygiene in the Maison de verre. The building site and its vicissitudes are described, followed by a description of the main principles behind the design of the house, and an analysis of its volumes and spaces.
Text in French.
The temples of the Early Chalukyas, dating from the 6th to 8th centuries, are unrivalled in all of India for their comparatively early date and unusually complete condition, the remarkable juxtaposition of their different constructional techniques and building styles, and for the sheer beauty of their figural and decorative carvings. In spite of their appeal and outstanding historical significance, these monuments have until now lacked an adequate publication.
This volume is the first to fully describe and illustrate the architecture and art of the Early Chalukya temples in Badami, and nearby Mahakuta, Aihole and Pattadakal, all situated on or near to the Malprabha River in central Karnataka. Michell’s definitive text is complemented by forty of his measured drawings, which constitute the most thorough graphic documentation ever undertaken. These are accompanied by more than 150 splendid, newly commissioned photographs by Surendra Kumar.
Contents:
Preface; Historical Background; Architecture; Sculpture; Badami; Mahakuta; Aihole; Pattadakal; Maps; Building Chronology; Glossary of Architectural Terms; Glossary of Indian Names; Select Bibliography; Photo Credits; Index.
“The well-judged employment of classical detail in a new home has an additional significance that cannot be underestimated. It is an expression of an informed personal choice and an evocation of the delight in the human senses. This is true of all the houses featured in this book.” Jeremy Musson
“The architects and craftsmen that Phillip has featured in this wonderful book all have a love for classical detail. The art is alive and well, as can be attested to in these pages.” David Easton
In The Art of Classical Details, Phillip James Dodd takes a close-up look at some of the finest examples of contemporary classical architecture. The book consists of two chapters: The Essays and The Projects. Starting with a foreword by renowned decorator David Easton, The Essays are written by some of today’s most sought after architects, scholars and craftsmen. Accompanied by sumptuous full page photographs and renderings that illustrate a use of fine materials, intricate detailing, and superb artisanship, these insightful texts are essential reading for anyone with an interest in the theory, practice and craft of classical design. The Projects presents an illustrated look at 25 of today’s finest classically-designed homes. Employing the theories prescribed in the writings of the first chapter, this portfolio of contemporary buildings exhibits the work of some of the most recognizable and celebrated architects in Great Britain and the United States. The work featured in within this book demonstrates the timeless beauty of classicism, and delights in the role that superbly crafted details play in creating art.
This beautifully illustrated book showcases the Hindu and Jain temples of Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka built prior to the invasion of peninsular India by the Delhi sultans at the end of the 13th century. Unlike temples in many other parts of India, those of the Deccan are well preserved, with their wealth of figural and decorative carvings miraculously intact. They demonstrate the development of Indian sacred architecture and art over a span of more than 600 years.
Focusing on some 50 historical sites, the Temples of Deccan India begins with artificially excavated “cave” shrines dedicated to various Hindu deities, before proceeding on to examine free-standing Hindu and Jain monuments sponsored by successive rulers of the Deccan. Attention is paid to the beautiful sculptures found on temple basements, walls, brackets and ceilings. Carved in crisp relief, and sometimes even in three dimensions, these carvings are among the greatest glories of Indian stone art.
Among the featured highlights are the cave temple on the island of Elephanta, with its stupendous representation of three-headed Sadashiva; the colossal, monolithic Kailasa temple at Ellora, a technical feat unsurpassed in the entire history of Indian architecture; the magnificent columned pavilion at Hanamkonda, now currently being reconstructed; and the temple at Belur, with its exquisitely carved female figural brackets. Specially commissioned plans of temple layouts accompany 300+ photographs. and clarify the succession of dynasties that governed the Deccan during the centuries covered here. Maps locate the temple sites, while passages of text illuminate the succession of dynasties that governed the Deccan from the 7th to 13th centuries. Educational, accessible and beautifully illustrated, this book will be of interest to anyone fascinated by Indian architecture.
a+u’s March issue presents Irish architecture through 20 houses by six architecture firms. These houses, nestled in the landscape of Ireland, paint a portrait of the physical conditions of the island. Architects Tom de Paor and Andrew Clancy serve as guest editors and begin the feature in conversation. They describe Ireland as being gently exhausted and without past glories, but not yet melancholic. The 20 houses responding to the island are practically designed yet with sensitive qualities of “dry and wet,” “soft lighting and fleeting shadows,” and “modeling and its staining.” These houses are individual attempts by their architects to find something that was already “constructed, abandoned, found” and to discover their own architectural language in Ireland. Their images, drawings, and give form to a notably new Irish architecture.
Text in English and Japanese.
This collection of critical essays and photographs provides an overview of nine recent projects of Jones & Jones Architecture and Landscape Architecture. An introduction by the author provides personal and organizational history and context. Jones & Jones, which received the first ever Firm Award from the century-old American Society of Landscape Architecture, has redefined the terms of design for several project types-including zoos and roads – and created some that never before existed. Multidisciplinary, multi-cultural Jones & Jones has thrived on its founders’ spirit of activism and engagement in nature and history. Projects include Cedar River Watershed Education Center near Seattle; Commons Park in Denver; Arctic Ring of Life Complex in Detroit; Duwamish River Revival Projects in Seattle; Icicle Creek Music Center near Leavenworth, Wash.; National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.: Paris-Lexington Road Reconstruction in Kentucky; Rio Nuevo Master Plan for Tucson; and Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat near Leavenworth, Wash.
Contemporary pedagogy contends that children’s growth and development takes place through experiences. This book is intended to uncover the relationship between child development and early childhood space design through an exciting selection of kindergarten, childcare, and nursery designs from around the world, each of which provides authentic, stimulating, and meaningful environments full of rich and active hands-on experiences to facilitate children’s access to nature and human connection as they discover the world and assimilate everything they need to grow and thrive. Rather than merely the design of preschool buildings, the book focuses on the quality of the space. A brief editor’s note is given for each case to highlight the important elements of the design, use, and function that help children to shape their own personal curriculum.
A short interview – a dialogue with the architect – is also offered after some of the projects for readers to gain greater insight into the ideas and processes of the architects. Highly illustrated with stunning full-colour throughout, this book hopes to spark the design inspirations of kindergarten architects, interior designers, outdoor playground designers, and child educators on how to design a quality space for children.
For Belgian architect Jef Van Oevelen (b. 1955) architecture is more than merely solving a technical puzzle or playing with volumes. Architecture is about materializing goals and values within a historical, sociological, political and economic reality. His internship and co-operation with the legendary Antwerp avant-garde architect Georges Baines was pivotal in the development of this vision and philosophy. Only by contextualizing architecture correctly and by respecting materials, people, possibilities and boundaries one can achieve authenticity and sincerity.
From these principles, he has been working since 1987. Next to designing smaller projects and renovating private houses, participation in various competitions also made him familiar with large-scale projects. Something that has already resulted in contracts for schools, office buildings, libraries, cultural institutions and above all many public and social housing projects.
Text in English and Dutch.
This catalog for an exhibition at the Fondazione Cini in Venice presents stories of places and cities to the east of Italy, and highlights the tales and experiences of Italian architects and travellers. Six internationally famous Italian architects – Renzo Piano, Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, Archea Associati, Piuarch, Michele De Lucchi and Mario Cucinella – will showcase projects in Russia, China, Albania, Georgia and Vietnam, with the addition of contextual materials from the Fondazione Cini archives. The narrative of convergence and dialog between Italian culture and these places emphasizes the significance of the unique Italian relationship to these countries and their cultures through the centuries.