Pierre Koenig (Hardcover)

~ (Author), David Jenkins (Author), Pierre Koenig (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Pierre Koenig (b. 1925) is a leading figure of the Modern movement in America, and a guiding influence in the "Case Study House Program".

This is the first full study of Koenig's career, providing an unparalleled insight into the evolution of Modernism on the West Coast. Koenig designed and built his first exposed steel house in 1950. In 1957 he was chosen to design Case Study Houses #21 and #22. These houses have become iconic, capturing the excitement and optimism of the period. This book includes new and vintage photographs together with the architect's original drawings.

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 --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press; illustrated edition edition (December 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714837539
• ISBN-13: 978-0714837536
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 10.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,777,820 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Wally Fields ([e-mail]) (www.wallys.c... (Bay Area, California) - See all my reviews

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 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.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Paul Brady "[e-mail]" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

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.