R M Schindler [Hardcover]

Judith Sheine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 2001

R.M. Schindler (1887-1953) is a pivotal Modernist architect who, during his career, remained largely unrecognized by the critical establishment. This text provides a comprehensive evaluation of his entire career as both a designer and a theoretician, during which time Schindler designed more than 500 projects, over 150 of which were built, most of these in the Los Angeles area. Judith Sheine, herself a practising architect, takes a more expository than theoretical approach to Schindler's work, and concentrates on the uniqueness of Schindler's Space Architecture - an architecture to be experienced directly, through occupying the interior space. The volume is an analysis of Schindler's work, influences and buildings, rather than a strict biographical account of his life. It features archival material and new photographs of important buildings, as well as over 150 redrawn plans, sections and diagrams.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A thorough, well-paced survey of his professional development, interweaving his biography and works to notable effect.'

About the Author

Judith Sheine is a practicing architect in Los Angeles and an associate professor at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She has studied and lectured on the work of R.M. Schindler for more than a decade and has edited publications on the architect in a variety of media, including the books R.M. Schindler: Works and Projects (Editorial Gustavo Gili, 1998); a GG special edition magazine on Schindler; R.M. Schindler: Composition and Construction (1995); and a CD-ROM.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press (September 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714839140
• ISBN-13: 978-0714839141
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 8.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A proficient piece, April 10, 2002

By 

Edward J. Shannon, AIA (Elgin, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: R M Schindler (Hardcover)

Judith Sheine's new book on Schindler is most proficient. It is a good book written in a clear, concise way that accomplishes what most other books on this master architect have not been able to - in that it is a well rounded book that addresses the many facets of schindler's life and practice.

Sheine's book traces the architect's Austrian upbringing and schooling (Wagner and Loos) and Schindler's fascination with Wright. It interestingly compares the two architects and asks which was the first 'space architect'? Sheine elaborates on Schindler's theory of 'Space Architecture and the 'Schindler Frame' and classifies his work in four phases (Concrete and Radicalism; Plaster Skin Design; Experiments with materials and roof forms; and the Schindler Frame and translucency). She also addresses the architect's omission from the International Style exhibit and argues that his work, in fact, had no place in it. The book has a great chapter on his practice methods and concludes with chapters on his influence and reputation and the recognition that Schindler has received since his death in 1953.

Sheine's writing style is most competent as she writes as someone whom seems to intimately know the architect. Although this is not true, the author has lived in a Schindler building and has passionately pursued getting to know Schindler's life and architecture.

I have most of the books on Schindler, and this is my favorite one. Unfortunately, I could not give it 5 stars as Phaidon missed an opportunity with this 8x8 book format. The photos don't read very well and the plan and section diagrams, which are so essential to understanding Schindler's work, are postage stamp size. Still, If I had to choose one Schindler book, this would be the one.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Patron saint of LA modernists., December 28, 2001

By 

Michael Webb (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: R M Schindler (Hardcover)

A valuable addition to a series of monographs from this publisher. This is Sheine's third book on the patron saint of LA modernists, following a pictorial anthology from Academy and a pocket guide for the MAK Center, and it is erudite and illuminating. If you were to buy only one book on Schindler, this should be the one. Books of this quality and importance deserve much better production values. The series is overpriced and poorly designed; the bindings are fragile, the illustrations drab, and there is not even a proper title page.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plenty new, December 31, 2001

By 

Lionel March (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: R M Schindler (Hardcover)

The review by 'Reader from New York' is frivolous. Her one star is for the photography of Mumford (sic). Grant Mudford certainly captures the genius of Schindler's highly individualistic architecture, but Professor Sheine's architectural understanding and sensibility is behind each photograph.

'Reader' compares Professor Sheine's monograph unfavorably with Taschen's Jumbo Neutra. She claims that Sheine adds nothing new. To pose just two questions: Had she seen previously the many cross-sectional drawings which express so well the meaning of 'space architecture'? Was she aware of the relationship between Schindler and Frank Lloyd Wright at the time Schindler was in charge of the Chicago office during Wright's absences in Japan? No, must be the answer, because this is all new and original and not to be found in writings by other authors.

This is a very welcomed addition to our knowledge of what Sir Colin StJohn Wilson has called 'The Other Tradition', or what Kenneth Frampton has described as 'Regionalism', in twentieth century architecture. Schindler -- in California -- carved out his own, very personal ground in the manner of Eileen Gray, Hugo Haring and others in Europe.

I quote from the review of Martin Fuller in the New York Times Book Review, 12/2/01:

"Judith Sheine's 'R. M. Schindler' provides a thorough, well-paced survey of his professional development, interweaving his biography and works to notable effect."