Customer Reviews

A Living Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright and Taliesin Architects

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John Rattenbury's 'A Living Architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright and
Taliesin Architects' is the kind of 'coffee table' book that gives the
concept of the coffee table book a bad name. The publisher's
advertising blurb seems to promise an intelligent and inclusive
examination of Wright's Taliesin Fellowship, founded in 1932. Instead
we get a brief mention of only 3 of the many apprentices who studied
at the architect's elbow, and little else regarding an in-depth
history of the movement. The blurb goes on to promise a substantial
survey of the designs of the fellowship's numerous graduates since
Wright's death, again to concentrate instead on the work, much of it
mediocre indeed, of only a few, the author himself getting the lion
share of the mention. Rattenbury also spends some considerable length
in a rehashing of Wright's definition of organic architecture, a
definition that can be found in dozens of published tracts by Wright
himself, all available for far less cost than this tome demands. The
definition presented is general, simplistic, often derivative, and
offers nothing fresh to the veteran admirer of Wright; while someone
coming new to that great architect would be far better served to
expose himself to Wright through far better - and far less expensive -
introductory works such as those by Scully or Hitchcock or Twombly. As
a former apprentice and now teacher for Taliesin Architects,
Rattenbury limits himself to mainly uncritical press agentry for that
group, in a format almost totally devoid of depth or
scholarship. Strongly not recommended for anyone but the most satiated
Wright fan looking for yet another expensive, 'skin deep' presentation
trading on Wright's name and glory.

I had no idea of the quantity and quality of the work that has been and is still being brought forth by the Taliesin Architects! Projects that were not realized in Mr. Wright's time have been brought forth lovingly and true to his vision of "organic" architecture. Not to mention the breathtaking original homes, churches, auditoriums, nursing homes, banks, hotels, mobile homes (YES!) and other moderate cost housing. Not copies of the works of their inspiring teacher, Mr. Wright would not have that! They have found their own way of "organic" architecture that would make Mr. Wright proud!

"Three hundred full-color illustrations and elucidating text showcase the work of the Taliesin Architects, a firm started by the students and coworkers of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright after his death in 1959. Guided by a desire to create buildings in harmony with nature; to make a positive contribution to the way people live; and to keep Wright's vision alive, this book offers an overview of Taliesin Architects' work of the past forty years and a succinct summary of his design principles.

"John Rattenbury worked and studied with Frank Lloyd Wright for eight years. Since he cofounded Taliesin Architects, he has designed more than two hundred architectural and planning projects. Rattenbury teaches design and professional practice at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture and lectures throughout the United States.

"296 pages, size: 10.5" square. 300 color photographs and drawings. Casebound book, with dust jacket. ISBN: 0-7649-1366-2."--© Pomegranate

A living architecture arrived in the condition promised and the delivery was much quicker than expected. This is a beautiful book.