Lofts: New Designs for Urban Living [Paperback]

Felicia Eisenberg Molnar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2001

Lofts, by definition, are former commercial spaces that have been converted for residential use and living/work environments. But lofts, by design, are vast silent expanses, soaring arches, stalwart steel girders, massive beams, and all the powerful drama of a curtain-time stage set. Lofts are a designer's dream. The importance of urban loft design for the architectural and design world is highlighted in this collection of the finest, most dramatic of these transformed spaces. Lofts: New Designs for Urban Living takes you on an intimate tour of residential lofts in the major cities of the world including New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, London, Toronto, Paris, and Tokyo. Projects include work from cutting-edge designers: Roto, Fred Fisher, Peter Anders, Neil Frankel, Briggs/Iacucci, Peter Tow, Kar Ho, Moneo/Brock, Belmont Freeman, Lotek, Brayton & Hughes and more. Complete with informative text, Lofts features full-color photographs, plans, and a valuable resource guide for anyone who has every dreamed of converting a commercial building into a residential loft.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Loft living began as an inexpensive way to gain large spaces in centrally located urban or industrial areas and eventually became an acceptable, even chic, living arrangement. Both of these books show the high end of loft living: large spaces that have been gutted of their original walls and fixtures and professionally planned by architects and interior designers. Molnar's book concentrates on New York lofts (although the latter part of the book shows lofts from around the United States and the world). The styles illustrated are modern and minimalistic. Vance's book concentrates on English lofts that almost resemble traditional homes in their design and arrangement. Both of these beautifully illustrated books will be excellent additions to professional and school collections and could be useful in urban public libraries where this style of living is available.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A great find for loft lovers. -- Style At Home, April 2000

A surprisingly fresh look at an architectural style that is already in danger of becoming an urban cliché. -- House & Garden, October 1999

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564967778
• ISBN-13: 978-1564967770
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,128,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lofts New Designs for Urban Living, March 13, 2000

By 

"dave60607" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lofts: New Designs for Urban Living (Hardcover)

I bought this book on the strong recommendation of the other reviewers and was disappointed. I have bought 8 books on the subject of lofts and this is my least favorate. The photos are generic architect shots, the layout bland and the printing is flat and sometimes fuzzy, and just unappealing.

Check out Living in Space and the International Book of Lofts.

I have to wonder if the other reviewers are friends of the author...

(Just my opinion, your milage may vary...)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rather excellent, March 10, 2001

By 

Jason Ainsworth (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lofts: New Designs for Urban Living (Hardcover)

I have only really studied 3 loft books and this would be my second favorite.

The author looks at Manhattan lofts exclusively for one half of the book and uses the other half for projects all over the world. All in all, her selection is good in that the reader gets a fair sense of what is currently happening in the design of these spaces (lofts). You usually get about 3-4 color photos per loft, a short description and floor plan.

Overall, a great book and source of inspiration if you find yourself with an abandoned, urban space and about a million dollars.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new here, October 25, 2000

By 

secrethalo (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lofts: New Designs for Urban Living (Hardcover)

The good thing about this book is that it does show pictures of lofts....that's about it. It showcased some lofts that have been pictured in other books before, and the picture quality is not always the best(at times the photographs look as though they were taken twenty years ago or with bad film). I usually read my design books but after about halfway through, I just looked at the pictures. Save your money for something else.