Tom Kundig: Houses

by Dung Ngo (Editor), Billie Tsien (Contributor), Steven Holl (Contributor)

The work of Seattle-based architect Tom Kundig has been called both raw and refined, as well as super-crafted and warm. Kundig's projects, especially his houses, uniquely combine these two seemingly disparate sets of characteristics to produce some of the most inventive structures found in the architecture world today. Kundig's internationally acclaimed work is inspired by both the industrial structures with which he grew up in the Pacific Northwest and the vibrant craft cultures that are fostered there. His buildings uniquely meld industrial sensibilities and materials such as Cor-ten steel and concrete with an intuitive understanding of scale. As Kundig states, "The idea is insaperable from the fabrication, inseparable from the materials used." Tom Houses presents five projects in depth, from their early conceptual sketches to their final lovingly wrought, intimate details. Kundig's houses reflect a sustained and active collaborative process between designer, craftsmen, and owners, resulting in houses that bring to life the architect's intentions, the materials used, and lines of unforgettable beauty.

Genres: Architecture, Design, Nonfiction, Reference

176 pages, Hardcover

First published November 9, 2006

About the author

Dung Ngo is an independent editor and curator. He is the former editor of exhibitions and publications at the Rice University's School of Architecture, where he mounted exhibitions and published books on Rem Koolhaas, Herzog & de Meuron, and Sol LeWitt, among others.

Reviews

[Dazeriena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the finer books to look into for precedents as an architect. You get to appreciate the lengths the architect goes through as he inserts intricate details that you would otherwise think it impossible to achieve within a constrict space. You get to peek into his thought process in resolving the issues behind his designs. This is no ordinary architect, where he works on different scales seamlessly, even across fields as an engineer resolving a revolving wall, easily accessible cabinet/furniture fixtures, a manoeuvring glass wall using his own technology.

[Hardus Scheepers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful images and hand sketches, not much explanation on the design process but useful as a reference.

[Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book with great drawings--a for-real architect's book for architects. a collection of residential projects with Olsen Sundberg. if you like that northwest aesthetic of material honesty of cast-in-place concrete, cor-ten steel, oversized industrial apperatures, folded steel plates, counter-balance, etc. this is the book for you. all the usual suspects pitch in essays: steven holl, rick joy, billie tsien...for once, eye candy with substance.

[Alhamdamar Mudafiq · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning!
His earlier life as an alpine climber took him into the edge of architecural creative approach, through the materials and spatial exploration.
This book is presentative enough to make us (readers) aware about that.

[Pixelpusher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of handful of houses by Kundig.