Customer Reviews

Mies in America

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It is a rare occasion to find such an exhaustive study done on an artists work anywhere. Although the work of Van Der Rohe will always be seen as a vital contribution to the history of architecture, the depth and focus of the essays in this catalog will certainly bring appreciation beyond a simple fetishization of Van Der Rohe's Barcelona Pavillion. The inclusion of models, sketches, historical photographs, and works of art from his time offer a multi-faceted explanation of his works and their importance. It is a book that is not only scholarly in nature but also has a beauty that will engross the reader whether they take the time to read the essays or not. The book gets better the more you look at it and the final essay by Koolhaas offers a refreshing and pointed critique of the role of the conservator of Mies' work and how alive his work is. In this age where high modernism has been reduced to style without context and weight this book takes one of its best practitioners, shakes the dust the things that Van Der Rohe created, and offers us a stellar view of a brilliant contribution to American life.

The book by Phyllis Lambert "Mies in America" is the most intelligent and correct interpretation of the work of this master architect that has yet appeared in book form.
It is deep in detail of all his major works in this country.
It is a necessary read for all architects and historians of contemporary architecture who seek knowledge of this major twenith century artist .
The research done for this writing puts the work considerably ahead of any other Mies publication.

When I saw this book half priced (just 59 €!!) at a bizarre spanish store , I just could't help buying it. Wonderful edition, it excedes in: content, photographs, drawings, design, typography and material quality. Very serious and recommended book.

This book is one of the best analysis of Mies as a person, and his thinking towards architecture. This book correctly shows the correlation of art and architecture in Mies, and how Mies have viewed architecture as art (just like Herzog/Meuron are doing it presently).

It is also very interesting to read the historical aspect of Mies emigration to America, and how he have tried to adopt himself to this new land and method. Even though, his early years in Berlin/Bauhaus have molded most of Mies thinking, it was America (after the WW2) that was ready to explore new things, and thus, Mies was able to test his architectural ideas in large structures such as the office/apartment towers.

For the current discount price, this is a great bargain, and you will have a much better understanding of Mies and his architecture.