Devil's Workshop:: 25 Years of Jersey Devil Architecture [Paperback]

Susan Piedmont-Palladino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1997

For 25 years the architects who make up Jersey Devil have been constructing their own designs while living on site in tents or Airstream trailers, making adjustments to their structures in response to problems encountered during the building process. Jersey Devil is a name that has been attached to work by Steve Badanes, John Ringel, Jim Adamson, or any combination of the above, plus many other people who have participated in their diverse projects. This loose-knit group of designer-builders has created projects that critique conventional practice, both the process of making architecture and the accepted definitions of architecture itself. Jersey Devil's architecture shows a concern for craft and detail, an attention to the expressiveness of the construction materials, and a strong environmental consciousness.

Devil's Workshop contains complete project descriptions, photographs, drawings, and plans on more than a dozen projects, including the Snail House, the Silo House, the Hoagie House, and the Seaside Pavillion. Essays analyze Jersey Devil's work, providing an insight into the design-build process and its historical context, and discussing the formal qualities inherent in these projects.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This look at the loose alliance of designer-builders known as "Jersey Devil" and their eccentric, design-as-you-go projects of the last 25 years is a book for endless perusal. The three principal founders of Jersey Devil, Steve Badanes, Jim Adamson, and John Ringel, aren't registered architects, although they have studied architecture. They have built together, separately, and with various friends and associates, but all they share, corporately, is a post-office box. They've created some of the most innovative, outrageous, lovingly crafted, energy-efficient, curvaceous homes around, none of which looks like any we've seen in our neighborhood. Their fun and funky architecture is usually called "alternative," but it is, in fact, both practical and highly principled. Which is why Jersey Devil is trickling into the mainstream, with wise designs for such important buildings as, for example, a Montessori school. --Margaret Moorman

Review

Jersey Devil is by turns artful, relaxed, whimsical and serious, classical and out to lunch. They put the funk back in functionalism. Michael Sorkin, from his foreword to Devil's Workshop

There is nobody truer to the cause of architecture than Jersey Devil. Michael Sorkin, Connoisseur

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press; 1 edition (December 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568981139
• ISBN-13: 978-1568981130
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #640,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Design-Build Architecture Got Never This Funky, April 26, 2003

By 

Burak Kilic (Istanbul, TURKEY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Devil's Workshop:: 25 Years of Jersey Devil Architecture (Paperback)

Steve Badanes came to our school at the beginning of this year, 2003, and gave a lecture on their work. Their work is quite impressive, to begin with. Three unlicensed architects - including Badanes - leave Princeton and go on their own adventure. All they have is a mailbox, and nothing else. Badanes has a trailer, which he drives to the sites and sleeps in meanwhile. Jersey Devil do their design in the site, and build as they design, design as they build. Therefore, their structures become very integrated with the surroundings.

Jersey Devil name their projects with the objects that resemble the building's shape. 'Football House', 'Hoagie House' are among these. When you flip through the pages, you'll see that the 'Aeroplane House' actually looks like an aeroplane.

Their architecture is definitely worthwhile to know about. But, the book is not necessarily as good as their architecture. It does not include a comprehensive review of their projects. Some projects are mentioned only one page with two photos. The introduction, and the general writing is well done. However, as I've said, their specific projects could have been dealt in more detail. I've listened to Badanes in his lecture, and read the book as well. But, the lecture was far more engrossing and interesting.

Nevertheless, for everyone who wants to know about Jersey Devil architecture, this book is the only source to absorb. Purchase it, but do not expect full satisfaction, as the book lacks a lot of details related to projects.

5.0 out of 5 stars inspirational, November 6, 2008

By 

Lucas Gray "Lugray" (berlin) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Devil's Workshop:: 25 Years of Jersey Devil Architecture (Paperback)

A truly inspirational book that highlights the human side of architecture and design. Not every great building needs to be flashy and 100 stories high. A beautiful place can simply be a bridge to the beach or a house in the desert. Their philosophy and attention to craft is outstanding.

Peace

Lucas Gray

www.talkitect.com

www.byworldofmouth.com

4 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ARCHITECTURE OR REVOLUTION. REVOLUTION CAN BE AVOIDED, May 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Devil's Workshop:: 25 Years of Jersey Devil Architecture (Paperback)

THE FORM LANGUAGE MAY BE INDIOSYNCRATIC BUT THE PRINCIPALS OF THE DESIGN ARE UNIVERSAL. UNIQUELY WELL WRITTEN ESSAY BY THE AUTHOR SUSAN PIEDMONT-PALLADINO. A MUST READ FOR ANYONE WHO CALLS THEM SELF A 21CENTRY ARCHITECT