The New American House 4: Innovations in Residential Design and Construction (Vol 4) [Paperback]

James Trulove (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003 | Series: New American

Over 20 houses by some of the most prominent and creative architects in the country are featured in this book, fourth in the "The New American House" series. This guide presents a selection of 20 architecturally exceptional residential homes throughout the United States, designed by such prominent and creative architects as Rick Joy of Arizona, Hariri & Hariri of New York and Eric Cobb of Washington State to name just a few. From a metal house perched on a hillside in San Francisco to a contemporary interpretation of a low-country house in Savannah, each of the magnificent homes in this guide was selected for its excellence in design and innovative use of materials and construction. Each entry features a case study and interior and exterior photography, as well as site plans, floor plans and concise, informative text that highlights the design and technical aspects of the home.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Grayson Trulove is the author, publisher, and editor of over 40 books on architecture, landscape architecture, and garden design. He resides in Washington, DC, and New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823031764
• ISBN-13: 978-0823031764
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 11.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,143,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Let me be the devil's advocate, April 23, 2005

By 

ArchiZona "archidreamer" (Phoenix, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New American House 4: Innovations in Residential Design and Construction (Vol 4) (Paperback)

The purpose of my review is to share my comments about this book so that potentail readers could have a balanced view. I also picked up this book at Borders. Fortunately, I did not have to unwrap it...

There are tons of books on modern residential architecture published in recent years. And I (probably you too) have already read quite a few of them. When thinking about getting a new book on the same topic, the key questions we shall all think about are:

What's new in this book? What makes this book different from those I have already read? What does this book add to my collection? What's the unique contribution? What do I learn from this book over and beyond all others?

Unfortunately, this book provides weak answers to these questions. In general, the majority of the houses featured in this book are redundant, uninspiring, and boring. One exception is the SOMA house. There are not many creative ideas in these design. Moderism in architecture is not simply equal to having large glazed windows or using some industrial-flavored materials like concrete. It's a philosophy and life style. It's about innovation and exploration. Many projects selected in this book lack this underlying core. These buildings are just traditional ranch houses with a pseudo-modern apperance.

From a practical standpoint, though some minimalist, bold, and avant-garde houses seem to be "unlivable", clever thinkers can always transform those "unrealistic" elements into feasible design which fits everyday living condition. That's the excitement about architecture and designing: experimentation, creation, and interpretation.

For some good references, check out a book called "Stunning Houses" for high quality and livable modern residential projects. If you want some intellectual stimulation, try "Architecture Now 3" published by Taschen and "XS : Big Ideas in Small-Scale Building". You'll know what I am talking about.

Despite the critiques, this book does have some strengths (also discussed by another reviewer Conan). The text is really detailed. You can also find detailed floor plans and other technical drawings. And I LOVE those beautiful pictures.

In conclusion, this book is mediocre comparing with other books on the same topic. I suggest you borrow a copy from a library or just skim through it in a book store. Considering its price, it is not a wise investment.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT resource for contemporary residential design ideas!, December 11, 2004

By 

Conan Librarian (Temple of Syrinx) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New American House 4: Innovations in Residential Design and Construction (Vol 4) (Paperback)

I picked this book up at a local Borders bookstore. It was pretty expensive and wrapped in cellophane so you couldn't read it before buying. Well, I confess I unwrapped it while hiding behind a bookshelf because I refused to fork over ~$50 without at least browsing through a pricey and unfamiliar book.

Anyway, after perusing just the first half of this substantial book, I was SOLD. I have been hunting through book after book after book for really good and useful ideas on residential contemporary home design (I have a 15 wooded acre lot I'm planning on building on soon). So many of the books I looked at lacked any real, meat and potatoes/useful detail, and/or they emphasized large commercial structures and/or they went on about these trendy, vague, completely unrealistic notions concerning design (like some guy living in a cardboard box with a toilet). Other books on "minimalism" (a stark, modernistic style) were intriguing and interesting, but really in the end...were completely unrealistic. I mean, where am I supposed to keep my "SCHTUFF???" (yeah, I know, I'm one of those shallow, bourgeois, materialistic Westerners).

Other modern architecture books usually provide just a few flashy pictures and some unspecific/unclear, artsy fartsy double talk/new agey bs description of some millionaire's home in southern California. C'mon, not really useful for a Joe Blow like me who needs some real ideas and a much more fleshed out description of how these houses are designed and built.

Well, this book is not like that. Don't get me wrong, it is a thick, sophisticated and richly detailed book. And although most of the homes in it are also the very expensive "millionaire homes", there are also some more modest homes included as well. Plus, and more importantly, they really devote a full dossier of technical information and a beautiful exterior and interior photographic outlay of each home (in full glorious color). And even with the expensive homes, many of the design elements can still be transcribed and adapted to a more modest home (within reason of course). They also include site plans for each home and plenty of details concerning the construction and design strategies. A decently fleshed out documentary that you can really sink your teeth into - something you can actually use to learn more about new, cutting edge designs and to stimulate thought and creative brainstorming for your own house...which is just what I was looking for!

Sometimes books are wrapped in cellophane at the bookstore to prevent a potential buyer from seeing how pretentious, overpriced and overrated a book is before buying it...but this is NOT one of those books. If you want to learn more about modern residential home design, then I couldn't recommend this book more!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Photos, May 6, 2007

By 

Greg - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The New American House 4: Innovations in Residential Design and Construction (Vol 4) (Paperback)

As with everything else from this author, it is just a collection of pretty pictures, with absolutely no detail on materials and construction techniques. There is a reason his books are so cheap.