Customer Reviews

Art Invention House

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Michael Webb and Rizzoli have done it again. Since their last highly successful BRAVE NEW HOUSES: Adventures in Southern California Living book in 2003 Webb has pushed the edge of architecture and design and the result is a truly original look at houses as art. Recognized as one of the country's leading architectural critics, London-born Webb now lives in a Neutra 'house' in Southern California and writes articles for Architectural Review, Architectural Record as well as his own widening collection of books.

In this elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated book, Webb addresses homes that are truly unique - from concept, to site, to architect/client philosophy, to construction. Though some of these homes have been featured in other places, many of the forty odd homes are 'unveiled' in this book. Each home is viewed in its entirety with the focus on the aspects that make each home 'on the edge'. The sizes, shapes, settings - all aspects of these artworks are discussed with Webb's conversational yet always erudite manner. Included are homes designed by architects form the USA, Mexico, Brazil, UK, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Portugal, Japan, and Australia. And a more creative klatch of contemporary architects could probably not be assembled.

The real pleasure of this large book is the presentation of these unique houses as works of Art. While there is a large audience for certain architects of the 'home' styles (Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, Greene and Greene to name but a few), these artists are now historically based and the architects represented here are boldly modern and sophisticated. Some of the names here included are recognizable by the cognoscenti: the others soon will be! This is a magnificent 'Art Book', simply of another medium, and deserves a place in the library of great art (as well as great architecture) lovers. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, November 05

Recently published by Rizzoli, this handsome book is a collection of the most recent or newly built houses that go beyond convention. Author Michael Webb selected forty houses from five continents that exemplify the various types of houses throughout the world today that truly one of a kind. The houses featured are by some of the most gifted architects whose practice are of all different scales. Houses by large firms such as Richard Meier & Partners are included as well as small or single practices such as Glenn Murcutt. Each project is beautifully portrayed in large border less photos along with a detailed explanation of the project contained in about eight pages. Handsomely crafted in a one square foot volume, this compilation should be on the must have list of professionals as well as house enthusiasts who want to know today's artistic and inventive solution to the age old concept of a house.

amassingdesign.blogspot

I've seen a lot of books on new houses, but this one stands out from the crowd. The selection of 40 new residences covers the world, from a forest in northern Japan to an idyllic bay in New Zealand, by way of Lake Bled in Slovenia and a hillside in Mexico City. There are masterpieces by celebrated architects and exciting work by people who deserve to be better knownThe brief text explores each house and the needs and personalities of its owners. The pictures are exceptional and are printed large enough that you can imagine yourself walking through these rooms. Now I've bought it the biggest challenge is to discourage friends from "borrowing" it.

The book is giant in size (12.3" x 12.4" x 1.4") with extra large poster size photographs, some of them covering 2 sf areas.
The human eye cannot overview the poster size photographs from the reading distance. In order to overview, the reader should step aside from the book, look to the photographs from the distance, than take the book and read again. So, the book is missing "gold proportions and the human scale".
Most of the projects in this book are professionally shots, however some of the enlarged photographs have poor quality and not belong to a book of this caliber.
The design of sheet compositions with the floor plans, sketches and the photographs is very tasteful. The content is informative and describing, although missed important information from the project data such as start and completion of the construction.
Overall, this is outstanding book with the nice collection of the projects with the detailed visual and text information.

This is a real good book on Innovative Houses, with over 30 projects from some of the most influential architects is a must have.