Tom Kundig: Houses

by Dung Ngo (editor), Tom Kundig (Preface)

Architect Tom Kundig is known worldwide for the originality of his work. This paperback edition of Tom Houses , first published in 2006, collects five of his most prominent early residential projects, which remain touchstones for him today. In a new preface written for this edition, Kundig reflects on the influence that these designs continue to have on his current thinking. Each house, presented from conceptual sketches through meticulously realized details, is the product of a sustained and active collaborative process among designer, builder, and client. The work of the Seattle-based architect has been called both raw and refined—disparate characteristics that produce extraordinarily inventive designs inspired by both the industrial structures ubiquitous to his upbringing in the Pacific Northwest and the vibrant craft cultures that are fostered there.

Genres: Architecture, Design, Nonfiction, Reference

176 pages, Paperback

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.