Pierre Koenig: 1925-2005: Living with Steel (Taschen Basic Genre Series) [Paperback]

Neil Jackson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 3822848913 | ISBN-13: 978-3822848913 | Publication Date: May 1, 2007

A leading proponent of the Case Study House program There are few images of 20th century architecture more iconic than the nighttime view of Case Study House #22 set on its eagle?s-nest site high above the lights of Los Angeles. With his two innovative houses for the famous project of the Arts and Architecture magazine, American architect Pierre Koenig (1925-2004) became one of the leading figures of the Modern movement in America. While still a student of architecture, he designed and built his first exposed steel house in 1950, proving that the use of prefabricated materials could allow for spatial freedom in affordable houses. Koenig's houses, like the Johnson House (1962) or the Oberman House (1962), are a direct response to Southern California's extremely warm and dry climate. His work is deeply marked by his commitment to environmentally and socially responsible design. His houses have thus become characteristic of the spirit of a whole generation: they perfectly capture the excitement and optimism of the American postwar society.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Neil Jackson is an architect and architectural historian who has written extensively on modern architecture in California, where he taught between 1985 and 1990. His 2002 book Craig Ellwood won the Sir Banister Fletcher Award in 2003. This study of Pierre Koenig is the result of a long friendship and a mark of respect for a great architect. Jackson currently teaches at the University of Liverpool.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Taschen (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822848913
• ISBN-13: 978-3822848913
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #696,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #96 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Koenig, January 17, 2008

By 

Jamie Cannon "fast reader" (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pierre Koenig: 1925-2005: Living with Steel (Taschen Basic Genre Series) (Paperback)

Pierre Koenig was one of the finest architects of the mid-20th Century. His 1960 Stahl House (well illustrated here) has been seen by millions of people in movies, television and especially, television ads. It's the glass enclosed living room/pavilion with a swimming pool in the foreground and all of Los Angeles as a background. This small Taschen book, part of a rather large series, talks about his career and buildings and is well worth the purchase price of $9.99. If your're a fan of the Arts and Architecture Case Study houses, as I am, you will love this little book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Koening, September 30, 2007

By 

James O. Kahan (Santa Barbara, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pierre Koenig: 1925-2005: Living with Steel (Taschen Basic Genre Series) (Paperback)

Good, short and reasonably priced overview of a Southern California architect who would have been largely unknown if not for Julius Shulman's great nightime picture.

5.0 out of 5 stars Notable, December 7, 2010

By 

Esteban Montero (Miami, Florida United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pierre Koenig: 1925-2005: Living with Steel (Taschen Basic Genre Series) (Paperback)

Simplemente asombroso, un pequeño libro que nos muestra cómo la mente de un hombre se adelanto prácticamente un siglo al diseño y arquitectura contemporánea.
Muy bien precio para este pequeño viaje.