Customer Reviews

Raphael Soriano

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Of all the important pioneers of modern architecture in southern California, Soriano was one of the most inventive and idealistic, but least successful. If he hadn't won the attention of Julius Shulman--as a photographer and client--he would probably be forgotten, so few are the surviving traces of his modest mid-century output. When he died, in 1988, poor and embittered, few took note. This self-inflicted failure (Soriano alienated Entenza, Eichler and several other key clients) challenged Wolfgang Wagener, an architect who practices here and in Germany, to reevaluate his achievement and develop a complete list of buildings and projects. (Michael Webb is the book reviewer for LA Architect magazine.)

This is a thorough, comprehensive monograph on a talented, yet often forgotten modernist. The book competently chronicles Soriano's career and major projects. However it achieves much more: There is an excellent introductory essay (The Postwar Dream Takes Hold) on the post WWII housing boom and specifically on the typology of the modern California House. This background introduces the reader to the spirit of the era in which Soriano established his practice.

The second essay, entitle Pioneering Steel Houses 1935-1970 focuses on Soriano's career and his strong convictions of the steel frame used as a vehicle to meet the demand of the housing boom. The photos, mostly by noted photographer Julius Shulman are crisp and clear. While it would be nice to see recent photos of Sauriano's structures, the author is clear to point out that most of Soriano's buildings have sadly been demolished or altered beyond recognition.

The two essays are followed by a very thorough catalogue with commentary of all Soriano's projects. The book also contains a map of Soriano's projects in Los Angeles, a Chronology of the Architect's life, and finally the typescript of Soriano's unfinished autobiography (all of about 5 typewritten pages).

I highly recommend this book for the student of mid-century modernism.

"Rafael Soriano" is a well-researched long-overdue contribution for students of mid-century modernism, especially in and around Los Angeles, California.

Beyond the innovative work of the twin Viennese transplants, Richard Neutra, and Rudolf Schindler. a score of additional talents, mostly younger, made up a "B-List" led by Gregory Ain and Rafael Soriano. Until now, there has been no single, reiiable source on the latter. Author Wolfgang Wagener dissects the myths and fills in the gaps surrounding this lesser-known trailblazer.

Physically handsome, with a vast array of carefully reproduced (black and white) contemporaneous photos, "Rafael Soriano" makes design ideas come to life. Included are 125 vintage pictures by acclaimed architectural photographer Julius Schulman (friend and client). Schulman's photographic PR has achieved a kind of global romantic myth, a promotion of LA's modernist "Good Life" following World War ll. Reference sections, including the "Complete Works," are indispensable. "Rafael Soriano" is a remarkable monograph, scholarly, insightful, and entirely readable.