Customer Reviews

Contemporary: Architecture and Interiors of the 1950s

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a great general guide to what was 'contemporary' - including architecture of the home, public building and office. In addition, it delves into interior design - including glass, wall treatments, flooring and furniture. The prospective reader should be made aware right off that this book is written from the British perspective - one will see British English spellings of words, and names of British companies. However, the vast majority of the book deals with American developments, which is more pertinant to the US reader. I call this book a great 'general' introduction because it digs about 75% of the way into each subject. But how many other books can cover so many subjects as well? None that I've been able to find so far. The book is richly illustrated, including some photos which span the entire page. The text is interesting and easy to understand. After reading each chapter of the book, you are left with a good basic undertanding of what you've just read. The pictures themselves are generally period photos, which really help the reader see what 'contemporary' was to the eyes of the folks living at that time. If you are contemplating purchasing a 'contemporary house', or perhaps decorating in the 'contemporary' style, this book will give you some good ideas. Overall, a very enjoyable book - it would make a good present, and look great sitting on your coffee table!

I call myself an "Eichlerholic"... I am obsessed with the tract homes of the late Bay Area builder Joe Eichler. After reading Lesley Jacksons magnificent book, I now know the larger school of architecture that the Eichlers are a part of. The pictures are extensive, the text complete, the homes magnificent... the treatment of this era in architecture will leave you drooling to find one of these homes and walk through them. Eichlers themselves aren't mentioned in the book, yet some of the architects that worked with Eichler, namely Jones & Emmons, and Anshen & Allen, are. Along with homes, Jacksons book also covers smaller details, from refrigerators to wallpaper.

I read this book in college and am just about to purchase it for my own library because it is a fabulous glimpse into the shift into a more contemporary style of architecture. Of most interest to me was the sections on Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright (and these are the parts I remember most clearly). The pictures and illustrations are impecable and the comments included with these are of great use. This book also includes sections on furniture and fabric choices to name a few. It is well written, full of great information, and a useful reference. If you have the slightest bit of interest in this era of architecture, it must be included in your library.

The author provides an absolutely beautiful look at a George Jetson time in architecture and interior design style that makes the 50's seem nostalgic. The abundant photography of this book is perhaps its most appealing feature. The glossary of terms is also useful for those born after the the middle of the century. Terms like "formica" and "foam rubber" and "cantilevered" are particularly appropriate for this time period.

A great companion book with a "lighter" view of the bizarreness and extremes of the 50's is "Googie Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture." Between these two books, one can get a fair idea of the strange yet endearing design of this period.

A very interesting book on a often overlooked / undervalued period in architecture. It gives the reader an understanding of just how revolutionary Contemporary architecture was when it first entered the scene after WWII. I warmly recommend it to anyone interested in modern architecture.

This is a pretty cool book. The photos are honest, as they're from the era instead of reconstructed rooms today. Very in depth also; it covers furniture, architecture, glassware, kitchens, textiles and other home furnishings.

If you like the direct innovative designs of the 50's & 60's this book will provide a great overview with lots of photos.
It would have been nice to see more coverage of the furnishing specifics, especially DUNBAR and Edward Wormley - my personal favorites.

Put on some lounge music, pour a martini and enjoy!

No need to go into much detail. This record of a fascinating period of architecture and interior design is wonderful, with stunning pictures and an excellent selection of sites and objects.

A beautiful coffee table book, with attractive color and b/w photos of several periods of the midcentury movement. There is also a bit on midcentury architecture. Not bad if you know someone who's into this, but there are probably books out there with more visual depth of the creativity of the period. Overall, though, an intelligent read.

I feel this book should be titled more as to the content. The design work in the book is primarily l950's and l960's.
This was not what I expected when I purchased a "Contemporary" book. I felt it should reflect at the most the early 2000's to date. I feel it is worth while for my purpose now which will be a donation to the local library.