Customer Reviews

The Architecture of James Gamble Rogers II in Winter Park, Florida

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If you live in Central Florida and want to know more about the houses that have kept you turning your head as you make your way through Winter Park, this is an outstanding survey and guidebook to the architectural career of James Gamble Rogers II. The appreciation of creative and suave regionalism in the built environment has been growing in the past several decades, which is all to the good, since architects such as James Gamble Rogers II captured what was or should have been the flavor of their communities.

This work is pure Florida at its best. Blending Spanish Colonial and other Mediterranean features, these homes offer a sense of place and permanence in what is still a very young and growing part of the country. They "just fit" in the semi-tropical setting and give one a sense that every building in Central Florida ought to look like a James Gamble Rogers II design.

Authors McClane have done area residents and visitors a great favor in creating this, the first book, to take a comprehensive look at the man and his work, which spanned the middle years of the 20th century. There are many good black and white photos, floor plans and elevations and a smattering of color plates as well. All very helpful and one only wishes that the book could have been brought out in a larger format to enjoy them even more. But then, the size is perfect for taking the book along in the field. The survey of buildings at the back of the book is a great springboard for a lazy drive through Winter Park spotting these architectural gems. If you are a Winter Park resident you will find yourself saying happily, "Oh, I didn't know he designed THAT house, too!" as you look at some of your personal favorites with new awareness.

If you do not live in the area, this book is still quite enjoyable as it shows what talent and training can do when applied to the art and craft of architecture. Indeed, it could serve as the inspiration for readers to seek out and record the best of their own regional architects' works.

But back to Central Florida...

It may be too much to hope for, but think of what the many new home builders in the Orlando area could accomplish were they to be inspired by this book and Rogers' work within it, as they build new neighborhoods. This reader suspects that a healthy homage to the scale, details and panache of these homes, by builders of today, would reap not only profits but lasting benefits to the community.

I sent this book to my son because he had just purchased a home by Rogers in Winter Park. He found(I didn't know) a picture of his new house in this book. Very exciting.