James Carpenter: Environmental Refractions [Hardcover]

Sandro Marpillero (Author), Kenneth Frampton (Contributor), Jorg Schlaich (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2006

James Carpenter is an artist and sculptor whose work focuses on developing new glass and material technologies. His interest in architecture has evolved into a unique design practice that ranges from technical glass and materials consulting to designing curtain walls, roofing systems, bridges, and sculptures. In James Carpenter: Environmental Refractions, the artist's first monograph, author Sandro Marpillero explores the unique opportunities afforded by the transparency, reflectivity, and compressive strength of glass. With over 300 images, this book brings to light the work of an exciting designer crossing the boundaries between architecture, engineering, and fine arts. James Carpenter Design Associates, founded in 1978, has worked collaboratively with preeminent architects and engineers in the United States and abroadincluding Norman Foster, Richard Meier, SOM, and Michael Van Valkenburghcreating the artistic complement to many significant buildings. James Carpenter, in collaboration with Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, have been chosen to design and build an undulating glass dome for the new Penn Station.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Marpillerro's beautifully conceived and designed book presents exquisite snapshots of these effects while revealing the magician's tricks... At a time when architecture is preoccupied with the production of phenomenal effects, it is worth pausing on the fact that Carpenter's works engender reflection in both the optical and cognitive sense, staging experiences that inform and take measure, surprise and estrange. -- The Architect's Newspaper, March 7, 2007

When I first heard of James Carpenter, he was described to me as a glass artist. He certainly is one, but he also is much more. . . .Environmental Refractions provides beautiful photographs and illustrations, descriptions of these projects and insights into the design process. Lighting simulation tools and visual mock-up processes essential in realizing innovative design are described. -- Glass Magazine, November 2006

About the Author

Sandro Marpillero is an associate professor at Columbia University in New York. Born in Italy, he is an architect and writes regularly for the architecture journals A + U, Casabella, Rassegna, and Lotus International.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press (August 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568986084
• ISBN-13: 978-1568986081
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,048,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Light and translucency, May 13, 2007

By 

T. Girvin "Tim Girvin" (New York City, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: James Carpenter: Environmental Refractions (Hardcover)

There's an inherently classical discipline to the experiments and exploration that James Carpenter's work seems to embody. What I find fascinating is the metrical expansion of ideas and ideals -- the inventions are meditated and gradual, the discoveries are thoughtfully implemented. There's always the implication that wild experiment lead to merely wild results, with a lessened sense of application. This book is a grand reference to the intellectual character of his work, that has been surely transformative in the marveled evolution of his work.

This book is, perhaps solely, the best way to envision the history and intelligence of Carpenter's work, and the support of his team in the manifestation of consistently extraordinary renderings of solutions for his clients.