Renzo Piano [Hardcover]

Philip Jodidio (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2005

"The array of buildings by Renzo Piano is staggering in scope and comprehensive in the diversity of scale, material, and form. He is truly an architect whose sensibilities represent the widest range of this and earlier centuries." Such was the description of Renzo Piano given by the Pritzker Prize jury citation as they bestowed the prestigious award on him in 1998. "One of the great beauties of architecture is that each time, it is like life starting all over again," Piano says. "Like a movie director doing a love story, a Western, or a murder mystery, a new world confronts an architect with each project." This stunning monograph, illustrated by photographs, sketches, and plans, covers Piano's career to date. Also included are sneak peeks at Piano's current projects, including the New York Times Tower, a 52-story skyscraper to be built in Times Square, and the 80-story London Bridge Tower, which is set to be Europe's tallest building.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Philip Jodidio studied art history and economics at Harvard University, and was Editor-in-Chief of the leading French art Journal Connaissance des Arts for over two decades. He has published numerous articles and books, including TASCHEN's Architecture Now! series, Building a New Millennium, and monographs on Norman Foster, Richard Meier, and Alvaro Siza.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Taschen (May 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822857688
• ISBN-13: 978-3822857687
• Product Dimensions: 18 x 13 x 2.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,228,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ravishing Renzo, January 14, 2006

By 

Shannon Deason (Houston) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Renzo Piano (Hardcover)

Renzo Piano is without a question one of the worlds greatest architects, his talent is singular, it's just awesome...as is this amazing book. It is THE book on Piano, and that is saying something because there are quite a few good books on the man and his work, but if you feel you can have just one on Renzo Piano then make it this one. The text is scholarly and highly informative and the images are just what you would expect in a book of this caliber..first rate. I often visit the Menil Collection here in Houston and never cease to marvel at how beautiful yet function it is, and that really is his genius. I recently visited his building for the Nasher Collection in Dallas and again was blown away at the elegance and beauty of the building, yet it works perfectly as a repository for Mr. Nasher's world class collection, it works on every level, as with the Menil, it is highly functional,yet beautiful. The two buildings could not be more different, but they both bare Mr. Piano's penchant for a building that works. It's not enough that the building is takes your breath away, it must also work and Renzo Piano understands this and as an admirer of great architecture and someone who appreciates function, thank you Mr. Piano. I highly recomend this beautiful book on this amazing talent.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absoultely beautiful effort from one of the best!, November 3, 2006

By 

Scott Babcock - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Renzo Piano (Hardcover)

...As a proffesional photographer and an avid architecture enthusiast, I look for extreme qualities in the books I purchase. I have had nothing but great luck with my purchases from publishing companies such as Phaidon, Taschen, and Rizzoli. Phillip Jodidio is also someone who has proved himself time and time again (the author of this book, among others). This book is absolutely gorgeous! It is one of the few books I had to buy without being able to look through it, but wow! And to think there is one of these on Tadao Ando and one forthcoming on my favorite Architect Santiago Calatrava?!?!

Anyhow, here are some details for you:

This book is slightly smaller than the Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture, which remains my favorite book to date. With that said, it's a little easier to hold on your lap, but best viewed on a table!

The photography is awesome...some of the photos take up two pages! - in fact, there is a center-foldout of the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center that takes up four pages!!!

There is enough text to fill you in on info, but the photography in this book really does the talking. You will also find a lot of sketches and some models from Mr. Piano.

Renzo Piano is one of my favorite architects, but if your cause is a love for architecture in general, I still have to recommend this book. Everything is well done, even the catologue of his complete work in the back.

The only drawback for me is that only certain pieces of his work are showcased - for example, the Ferrari wind tunnel is only mentioned in the rear catologue, not showcased in the book.

This book is well worth $125.00, in fact, in my opinion it's worth more than that! - After having this book, I am going to pick up the Tadao Ando and Santiago Calatrava books WITHOUT viewing them, that's what a good job this book did at selling me on those products!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good but not excellent, October 25, 2007

By 

G. C. Pereira (Niterói, RJ Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Renzo Piano (Hardcover)

I think the book is really good for the people who doesn't know the work of Piano, but in my case it was - in certain way - disappointing. The pictures wasn't new, i already knew the most of them. A lot of sketches but few drawings, details or thoughts about Piano's work. The book could be excellent but it is just good.