Bernard Maybeck: Visionary Architect [Paperback]

Sally Byrne Woodbridge (Author), Richard Barnes (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2006

Gracefully written and brilliantly illustrated, this handsome new volume captures the vision, the wit, and the down-to-earth inventiveness of one of the most influential and beloved architects of the early twentieth century. Raised in Greenwich Village and trained in Paris, Maybeck spent most of his long career in northern California. An irrepressible bohemian with no desire to run a large office, he spent much of his time designing houses for friends and family, as well as for other patrons so loyal that they often hired him to design more than one house. Maybeck also created two of the most beautiful buildings in all of California: the exhilarating Church of Christ, Scientist, in Berkeley, and the gloriously romantic Palace of Fine Arts, in San Francisco.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This excellent biography thoroughly documents the often fantastic and always interesting work of California architect Bernard Maybeck, discussing major public commissions like San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts. Moreover, Woodbridge reveals that her subject, whose greatest triumphs were in domestic architecture, was not only an influential architect but also a creative designer and innovative engineer. The volume is extensively illustrated with vintage photographs and architectural plans and elevations, and much of Maybeck's extant work is detailed in recent full-color photographs by Barnes. Finally, a chronological checklist of Maybeck's planned and completed projects is included. Highly recommended for collections of architecture, design, and art.
- Martin R. Kalfatovic, Smithsonian Inst., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Abbeville Press; 1 edition (October 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789201321
• ISBN-13: 978-0789201324
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,390,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice Portrait of Maybeck's Work, August 22, 2008

By 

W. Marquand - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bernard Maybeck: Visionary Architect (Paperback)

This is the latest serious biography on Bernard Maybeck, and by far the best collection of photographs of his work to date (2008). A nice balance of archival material on Maybeck, including his drawings, and contemporary photos of his surviving buildings. Some photos accentuate golden hues that are not true to the real-life interiors, but this is a minor drawback in what is a very good picture of who Maybeck was and what he built. - William Marquand

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pics!, January 10, 2007

By 

Todd (Sequim, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bernard Maybeck: Visionary Architect (Hardcover)

A great overview of Maybeck's work. As a decorative concrete contractor, I was really looking for good photography of his work for inspirational purposes. I am definitely not disappointed.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Gift, Hit the Mark, November 2, 2006

By 

K. Taber - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bernard Maybeck: Visionary Architect (Hardcover)

I have not even looked at this book. It left my house in its wrapper.

My review is based on the reaction of my mother. Her father built houses in the bay area and did a few designed by Maybeck.

The joy in her voice as she describes the work he did and the pictures of the houses that she remembers from her childhood was worth every penny. The next time I visit her I expect to see a lot of this book as she seems to be really enjoying the nostalgic trip it has provided.