Customer Reviews

The Function of Ornament

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

 

 

In this graphic guide to building ornamentation in the twentieth century, Moussavi and Kubo have collected an interesting cross-section of architectural projects that demonstrate the mechanisms through which contemporary architecture connects itself to current culture.

Through the selected case study projects, the editors endeavor to illustrate the means through which ornamentation is the very essence of the building. Not being merely 'ornamental' and self-indulgent, the articulation presented is indeed the agent of the architect's ideas.

Various materials and effects are investigated ranging from 'dematerialized light' to 'relief patterns'. The impressive array of diagrams are extremely clear and useful. A typical system is defined through perspective views, sections, pattern diagrams, detailed assembly drawings and relevant notes.

If you are looking for component and systems analysis of projects such as Future Systems' amorphous Selfridges Department Store or Herzog and de Meuron's embossed copper skin at the De Young Museum; look no further.

This is not a technical manual as a couple reviewers seems to wish, nor a survey of ornament in architecture. Nor does it ever claim to be such--reviewers should review a book not wish it was a different book. Instead it represents the results of graduate level research at Harvard Graduate School of Design into a revitalized understanding of the role of ornament in architecture and how one employs technical and material means to produce architecture effects and phenomena. As such the book is extremely clear, useful and elegantly designed and thoughtfully organized. Great for students and professional who want to think.

I guess, to me at least, the title of the book is bit misleading,
it should be "how to make an interesting building skins"
Because this book provides ample examples of great building skins of
contemporary (some past) architecture.

Graphics, analysis, and categorization are the 3 strong points of the book.
Each example is analyzed in the order of following:

1. elements (typically material)
2. key design concept
3. organization and assembly of key building skin
4. overall effect

For example, for Laban Dance Center by Herzog de Meuron, three different
colors and glasses are introduced, how they are used according to the program
inside, how the glasses are put together as double-layer enclosure, and
the daytime/ nighttime effects are analyzed.

The book speaks with graphics, limiting the number of words used.
The graphics were painstakingly achieved. Really delivering the message
clearly and concisely. Hence, essence of the project concept is easily
graspable, yet, at the same time, being graphics, it leaves room for
subjective interpretation.

I purchased this book after a fellow colleague recommended it to me and I must say it's become one of my favorite books because of its explicit and clear way of explaining the concepts of the buildings selected. All architecture books should be written this way. Farshid did a great job of validating her standpoint of ornament... A concept that has been re-defined in this book.

Beautiful and useful; as a Professor of Architecture I will be recommending this volume to all of my students.

An amazing book showing details on how to make several ornaments on your building with up-to-date examples.

Don't expect a theory novel, but a graphic and schematic summation of different design possibilities for ornamenting buildings.

Everything in this book is at the building scale. The true and traditional function of ornament is to provide contrast or emphasis while bringing the design idea of the building in to a real materiality that can be apprehended by the human senses. Or something like that.

I was disappointed by the unappealing diagrams of some of the most interesting buildings in 20th century architecture. The content is certainly not as revolutionary as the title advertises. In my opinion one can find better surveys of building envelopes and better descriptions of the buildings analyzed elsewhere.

I'll agree with some other reviews and say that this is only for students. The book DOES make some intelligent and iconic building systems very clear, but it is only a cursory look. You expect to turn the page to find more investigation and its not there. So this book is only for undergrad students. Professionals look elsewhere.

The title suggests that this book is about architectural ornament, but it really covers only an extremely limited, and not particularly interesting, part of that rich topic.