Architecture Now! Houses

Architecture Now!

by Philip Jodidio

Though there may be distinctions between a house and a home, the fact remains that the fundamental ideas of shelter, life and death are intertwined with the architecture of the commonplace in every dwelling, from cave to castle. The house can be a measure of civilization, wealth or, indeed, intelligence; it is a barometer of existence. A house can be at the very cutting edge of architecture, casting aside notions of the past in search of a new paradigm; it can accept the rules of urbanism while standing them on their head. It can float in the air or emerge from the depths of the earth. Where factors of cost may limit civic architecture to tried and trusted methods, some houses break all the rules, and help architecture to move forward. This book is not about decoration, it is, rather, a search that may lead the willing reader from Patagonia in Argentina to the cliffs of Dover Heights, Australia to see some of the most remarkable houses built in the past five years.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Reference, Design

416 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

Reviews

[Leonard Gaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

From Canada to Chile, from Spain to China or Australia, this book from the "Architecture Now!" series displays a wide array of contemporary architecture, focusing on private housing. It shows how today's materials (wood, metal, plastic, concrete...) and techniques allow building structures that contrast with or melt into the surrounding environment, be it a cliff, a lake shore, a mountain, a forest, a desert or a city, while creating stunning inside spaces. The photographs in this book are particularly beautiful.