Customer Reviews

Forgotten Modern: California Houses 1940-1970

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this book thinking that it would make an interesting gift for a friend. But after receiving it and taking a look at it; I returned it. I now understand why it's entitled "Forgotten Modern." The photos are little more than poor quality, snap shots with no plans and few interiors. There are so many wonderful modern-style houses in California but, unfortunately this book does not do the title justice.

If you're looking for a work on modernism's more obscure aspects that you may not already know, this is a good coffee table book. But it is probably more noteworthy for what it leaves out than what it covers, and is not the authoritative work it could have been.

First it glosses over such key areas as "Googie" and ultra-modern, contemporary architecture, and tends to favor middle-of-the-road and so-called "organic" architecture, some of which is more vernacular than modern.

Second, although it refers to influential, name designers and architects such as Cliff May and Douglas Honnold, it doesn't show any of their work for the sake of comparison, or expand on the work of some of its subjects. Besides custom homes, for example, since noted modernist Edward Fickett also designed "tens of thousands of [contemporary] mass-produced homes," where are they?

Third, it could have elaborated more on construction methods and structural systems, which would have added depth and dimension to how the homes were built.

And finally, unlike most works on architecture, the book has no plans or drawings. None whatsoever. Site plans, floor plans, and cross sections can be worth a thousand words, and show at a glance relationships that are hard to describe and understand in words. This omission alone would have gone a long way to adding relevance and context to the photographs.

This is a great book. I figured this book would somehow relate California modern architecture to the more "newer" Palm Springs style. I was confused but however found this book to be different. This book exposed me to a "modern" style that I was not familiar with, not my cup of tea but great information and great pictures.

This book has some great photos but the content is very middle of the line. Some of houses included really don't need to be in the book. I was hoping to find more relevant examples of structures that qualify as "Modern" or as part or as part of the modern movement.

A well illustrated book of modern type homes. If you like LA you'll like this book. My dream home is in it.

Lots of hidden away gems. I really enjoy this book though some of the pictures are little bit dark. But that's nit picking. Recommended.

Modern is not new. It has a history and this book remind us about it.
The language of Modern Architecture change in time but au fond remains the same. The book is nice, good photos and has many examples of old modern.