Customer Reviews

Case Study Houses: 1945-1966: The California Impetus (Taschen Basic Architecture)

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Be aware that the edition that Cohen is describing in the critic's review @ the top of the page is a previous edition. This new revised copy is not nearly 400 and some pages at all, coming in @ just under 100. Recently, I found this available @ my local Barnes & Noble(if I had seen it sooner, I definitely would not have purchased this). There is very little about each of the case study homes-with literally next to nothing on a few of these. Those that get the most attention receive a couple black and white, sometimes color, photos-often only a 5 inch photo. There is a decent paragraph on each of these-but that is it as far as information goes. I would highly suggest the volume 'Contemporary' by Leslie Jackson for a much more detailed bio on the case studies-as well as this period of design in itself. That book has 100s of photos, often black and white, but, for the most part, those that are in color here are also in that book. Not to mention the photos in Jackson's book are commonly much larger, as is the book itself. Most the pictures in Jackson's reference take up a good amount of the page, as well. The description and time given these houses in Jackson's book is much fuller and well rounded. That is just simply the real book to get here, also including some design in fabric, furniture, and glass of the time. However, it is mainly on the design of the rooms of the midcentury-modern abode, most pics being the case studies. Also, for a companion piece, pickup Taschen's 'Decorative Art-the 60s'. That one IS the common Taschen reference size, coming in @ nearly 600 pages!!! It includes hundreds of photos, mainly black and white, on the room designs of the midcentury home(the real innovations in these houses came out of the later 50s-early 60s, anyway). There are also sections on the furniture(again with pics detailing the room designs), fabrics & textiles(includes wallpaper), glass, lighting, ceramics, and silver/tableware-all with very helpfull info for collectors. However, it is the room designs found under the architecture and furniture sections that I believe really make this one. That one is simply a MUST for anyone interested in design from late 50s-early 60s, with a much fairer pricing, as Jackson's 'Contemporary'.

Ok, Ok, there's a beautiful, gigantic, definitive book on the Case Study Houses at $136. Then there's this small, slick little book, presenting each and every case study house, in order, editorially excellent through and through. An outstanding summary of an under-documented era of modern architecture, one with a crucially democratic agenda. $9.99. The book itself represents the case study ethic--great design at a price VERY within reach.
Not a difficult choice. Highly recommended.

In 1945, Arts & Architecture magazine launched the Case Study effort as a response to the housing shortage following the Depression and the Second World War. Its goal was to rethink domestic architecture by creating relatively low cost, modern housing for America's emerging middle class. From 1945 to 1966, the magazine featured thirty projects. Some of the houses like the Eames house and Pierre Koenig's Case Study House #21 and Stahl house went onto to become some of the most iconic American houses of the Twentieth Century. Unfortunately, not all of the houses are up this rarified level.

In an effort to catalogue all of the concept houses, Elizabeth Smith dedicates a few pages to each house. The Eames house gets as much attention as Case Study House #10 by Kemper Nomland. However, at $9.99 for this volume one cannot be too upset. If you are really interested in the Case Study project, purchase Elizabeth A.T. Smith other more definitive study on the Case House Project. The value of this book is to get an idea of what the project was about and purchase better books about the individual houses or the architects that created them.

I think this book is an incredible value. Wonderfully satisfying photos for the price. The designs are still very inspirational for Mid-Century Modern fans. I love the series and intend to buy the other editions in the near future.

Optimism is the prevailing theme of the Case Study Houses. The unerring faith that the future is the brightest it can possibly be. Each house profiled in this book shouts this theme loudly and proudly! Taschen has put together a loving yet compact introduction to the Case Study Houses. If you love architecture, design or mid-century modern style, this book is a must have for your collection.

This is visually interesting as well as informative. Those interested in mid-century architecture will enjoy this concise book.

I love modern architecture - but this book failed to hold my interest. I'll probably go back and try to read it again, but maybe another book might be a better choice.