AnessentialtoolkitforunderstandingarchitectureasbothartformandthesettingforoureverydaylivesWespendmostofourdaysandnightsinbuildings,livingandworkingandsometimesplaying.Architectureisboththesettingforoureverydaylivesandapublicartform--butitremainsmysterioustomostofus.InHowArchitectureWorks,WitoldRybczynski,oneofourbest,moststylishcriticsandthewinneroftheVincentScullyPrizeforhiswritingonarchitecture,answersourmostfundamentalquestionsabouthowgood--andnotsogood--buildingsaredesignedandconstructed.Introducingthereadertotherichandvariedworldofmodernarchitecture,herevealshowarchitectsasdiverseasFrankGehry,RenzoPiano,andRobertA.M.Sternenvisionandcreatetheirdesigns.Heteachesushowto“read“plans,howbuildingsrespondtotheirsettings,andhowthesmallestdetail--ofastairbalustrade,forinstance--canconveyanarchitect’svision.HowArchitectureWorksexplainsthecentralelementsthatmakeupgoodbuildingdesign,rangingfromawarmemorialinLondontoanoperahouseinSaintPetersburg,fromtheNationalMuseumofAfricanAmericanHistoryandCultureinWashington,D.C.,toafamousarchitect’sprivateretreatinPrinceton,NewJersey.Itisanenlighteninghumanist’stoolkitforthinkingaboutthebuiltenvironmentandseeingitafresh.“Architecture,ifitisanygood,speakstoallofus,“Rybczynskiwrites.Thisrevelatorybookishisgrandtourofarchitecturetoday.
PLANS ARCHITECTURE D.C. READ WORKS
