American House Now: Contemporary Architectural Directions

CONTENTS (1997 EDITION) 6 INTRODCTION: SUSAN DOUBILET DARALICE BOLES 14 GWATHMEY SIEGEL & ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS: PACIFIC PALISADES RESIDENCE 26 MACK ARCHITECTS: STREMMEL HOUSE 36 HARIRI & HARIRI: BARRYÆS BAY COTTAGE 44 DONALD McKAY AND COMPANY: PARK ROAD HOUSE 54 FERNAU & HARTMAN ARCHITECTS COLLECTIVE HOUSING 62 CARLOS ZAPATA DESIGN STUDIO: LANDES HOUSE 72 RoTo ARCHITECTS: TEIGER HOUSE 82 CLARK & MENEFEE ARCHITECTS: CROFFEAD HOUSE 90 SCOGIN ELAM AND BRAY ARCHITECTS: MOUNTAIN HOUSE 100 ISRAEL CALLAS SHORTRIDGE ASSOCIATES: DAN HOUSE 110 ANTOINE PREDOCK ARCHITECT: WHITE RESIDENCE 120 UKZ DESIGN: NEE RESIDENCE 128 ERIC OWEN MOSS ARCHITECTS: LAWSON/WESTEN HOUSE 136 RICHARD MEIER & PARTNERS, ARCHITECTS: GROTTA HOUSE 148 MORPHOSIS: BLADES RESIDENCE 160 MACHADO AND SILVETTI ASSOCIATES: CONCORD HOUSE 170 KONING EIZENBERG ARCHITECTURE: 31ST STREET HOUSE 176 KONING EIZENBERG ARCHITECTURE: TARZANA HOUSE 184 STAMBERG AFERIAT ARCHITECTURE: HOFFMAN HOUSE 194 THE STANLEY SAITOWITZ OFFICE: SEADRIFT LAGOON HOUSE 200 ARQUITECTONICA INTERNATIONAL: CASA LOS ANDES 208 STEVEN HOLL ARCHITECTS: BERKOWITZ-ODGIS HOUSE 216 STEVEN HOLL ARCHITECTS: MAKUHARI HOUSING 226 JOHN LAUTNER ARCHITECT: GOLDSTEIN RESIDENCE 236 PROJECT/PHOT0GRAPHY CREDITS

This book, the earlier and superior companion to "European House Now," is an excellent introduction to the various modalities of modern architecture in America. Beginning with the thoughtful introduction, Doubilet and Boles showcase some truly stunning American homes, demonstrating the lasting value and societal insights that mark great architecture. Without question the greatest architect featured in the book is the master of overlapping pure geometric shapes and planes, Richard Meier. Perhaps his greatest work is his stunning Grotta House, which just might win my vote for most beautiful private residence in the US. He is also featured in a piece of earlier work, the Hoffman House, which has since been modified by two of his proteges. Also interesting for its geometry, but more for its combination of materials is the Pacific Palisades House by Charles Gwathmey. Of great geometric interest are the Dan House by the brilliant Franklin Israel, and the stunning Lawson/Westen House by the genius of geometric manipulation, Eric Owen Moss. These homes are national treasures, are well illustrated here, and are also well explained by the enlightening text. There are a couple of clunkers in the mix as well, namely the horrid deconstructivist monstrosity on Martha's Vineyard by Steven Holl. After looking at the illustrations and grasping that he was inspired by ancient use of whale bones as a building method, I appreciated why nobody builds houses from whale bones anymore. The Knee Residence finished in large maroon panels and small windows appears more like a prison than a single family home. Although I actually do appreciate the intriguing structural techniques used in these two homes, I cannot appreciate their lack of aesthetic refinement. My only critique of the book as a whole is that the house plans are extremely small and difficult to read. This is a minor complaint, as overall I think this book, like the homes it illustrates, is a masterpiece.

This is a refined collection. It demonstrates clearly that visions of architecture that aren't "homey" can still be exceedingly beautiful. If I were trying to convince someone to build a home that makes a lasting statement (and I am), this is the first book I would buy for them.

It's one of those books that it's better buy two copies. One to keep safe on a bookshelf. The other to use, read and carry along wherever you go, until it desintegrates. And the size is 5 stars too.

I wouldn't change a thing. Very well designed.