Customer Reviews

Phaidon Atlas Of Contemporary World Architecture: Travel Edition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I think this is a book EVERY architect student should posses as a reference. It contains a large selection of references from all over the world. In comparison to the large version, which is rather costly for a student, this version contains brief descriptions and its a good size. I just wish there was a version on DISK!!!

When the original Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture was released in My 2004, several reviews were more enticed with the size of the tome in contrast to its contents. Frankly, I was put off by the price tag (albeit well deserved).

However, the recently released Travel Edition of the tome has become one of the essential resources of my library.

First, don't be put off of the fact that the softcover book is referred to as a Travel Edition as it contains a wealth of projects (subdivided by continents then countries). For each project there is a single project photo, project address, and the project architect. With each building a sentence or two states the significance of the project to 'Contemporary World Architecture' (an overly broad subject in itself).

Second, there is a grand diversity to the projects profiled in the Travel Edition in terms of project types and locations. I haven't come across another book to date that offers such a variety of projects within the covers.

Lastly, the Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture Travel Edition provides project insights and narratives that are free of any bias or criticism. The lack of both is something that is rarely found in a subject as subjective as architecture, and is welcomed in this context.

The Atlas suffers from a minor foreseeable problems. The book limits itself to projects that were complete as of the time when the book went to press. Any building completed during its printing or afterwards suffers the fate of being excluded from the Atlas; perhaps it/they will be included in future editions.

This compact travel guide is a good bet, especially for European buildings. For the US try the latest edition of The Architecture Traveler.

For those of you interested in the praticality of this as a travel companion, trust me, it works. The maps are not enough alone to find buildings in their respective cities but between knowing their general locations and addresses you can easily navigate your way to find them. I carried this book in my pocket around Europe and can say first hand that it was the best travel guide I had. A must for any Architect or student planning on traveling.

Superb little book. The only problem is how to see all the buildings in it before you die.

This is a very thorough little book so put your glasses on to read it. Over
all though is a lot cheaper than the big Phaidon Atlas.

I build houses for a hobby, various types and sizes (26 total). I am an engineer.

Buy the travel edition, and go to any university library for the huge atlas. I have found it at 6 so far around the country. It takes a little extra time, but hey - so does building, especially a house not well thought out :(,

Currently I have a bluff lot overlooking the pacific, next to a cemetary with a ton of open space around it, in a funky town (mobile homes below???). Green is in in So Cal (LA is going green? yea right...pigs fly). I would like to put Fallingwater on the bluff..hee hee.

This book rocks and has become my companion along with the Wright companion, Survey and Hogue. I am fairly proficient with Auodesk Arch. Desktop (now 2008). My dream - have all this material importable into Arch desktop for 3d orbits on a iPhone - those flying pigs :)

This nice little book lists some architecturally interesting building, but is missing nearly all my favorites. Listing geographically is a good idea, but I prefer online databases.