Pierre Koenig [Paperback]

James Steele (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 19, 2002

This monograph provides a complete study of Pierre Koenig's architecture, and illustrates his consistent application of certain design principles and his interest in industrialization, structure and environmentally responsible architecture. Photographs taken by Julius Shulman of Koenig's work, together with the architect's original sketches and drawings, provide a comprehensive visual document of the architecture of this highly respected designer. One of the major figures of the Modern Movement in America, his work provides an unparalleled insight into the evolution of Modernism on the West Coast and the scope of its influence internationally. Koenig is the architect of some of Los Angeles's most admired houses, and a pioneer of what became known as the "Case Study House Programme". In 1950 he was chosen by the magazine "Arts and Architecture" to design two of the highly innovative buildings in this programme. Koenig's case study house #21 and case study house #22 have since become iconic, and capture the excitement of the period and the optimism of the Case Study House Programme as a whole.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Steele is Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He has previously taught at Texas Tech University, the University of London and the Prince of Wales Institute of Architecture. His many publications include Architecture Today, Los Angeles Architecture: the Contemporary Condition, and the Architecture in Detail monographs Eames House, Barnsdall House and Lawson-Weston House (all published by Phaidon Press). David Jenkins qualified as an architect at Kingston School of Architecture in London. He worked extensively in private practice before embarking on a career as a teacher, writer and editor. He was previously Commissioning Editor for the Phaidon Architecture list and Buildings Editor of the Architects' Journal and is currently a Project Director with Foster and Partners in London. He is the author of several titles in the Architecture in Detail Series, including Unite d'Habitation; Clore Gallery, Tate Gallery, Liverpool; and Financial Times Print Works (all published by Phaidon Press). Authors' Residences: Venice, Los Angeles/Maida Vale, London

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (March 19, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714840963
• ISBN-13: 978-0714840963
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,006,254 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modernist master Koenig well represented here., June 22, 1999

By 

Walter D. Fields (Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pierre Koenig (Hardcover)

Some books are so good you can't put them down. Some, of course, are so bad you can't wait till they end, and the going is slow. The going is slow for James Steele and David Jenkins' book Pierre Koenig... for the opposite reason. After a quick glance at the magnificent pictures and some of the text, I wanted to take my time. I dreaded the moment I'd have to close the back cover and say goodbye to this book. Koenig designed mostly in steel... but throw away your notions of an "industrial" look.. for Koenig, steel was a means of building, and a way to express a contemporary style. As someone who was born and raised in and amongst Eichlers, I was very gratified to discover how wide spread the "California style" was for a period. The style seems to have lasted -and evolved- in public buildings, but residential builders lost their nerve and returned to something more conventional. Since many of my architectural heroes have passed away, or changed styles, it's nice to know Koenig is still around, still designing, and still promoting the use of steel as the palette for expression of this Zen-like style. As for completing the book? Well, I understand now why we have "coffee table" books... so you can re-live the first time you read a book like this, through the eyes of someone else.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Koenig, the King of SoCal Architecture, January 6, 2000

By 

L. Sinatra (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pierre Koenig (Hardcover)

This book shares with the reader the highlights of Koenig's career with breathtaking shots of the case study houses, blue prints, and narration accompanying each. Truly, one of the most spectacular collections dedicated to this incredibly gifted, ground breaking architect.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, March 24, 2002

By 

Paul Brady (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pierre Koenig (Hardcover)

This book presents Pierre Koenigs work very well. James Steele has written many great architecture books and this one is as good as his others. In the book is the most complete and extensive representation of Pierre Koenings work I have ever seen printed. The pictures are large, and very nice. It is a very good book with his work well documented and insightful articles written by James Steele and others.