Freestyle, the New Architecture and Interior Design from Los Angeles

There is a lot more to Los Angeles architecture than boring tract houses in the Valley or over-the-top status symbols in Beverly Hills. In fact, L.A. is home to some of the most interesting building designs anywhere. It makes sense, really. The hills, the ocean, the tropical climate (all those pools!) the movie studios (which sometimes built homes for movie sets) combine to provide conditions for unusual architecture to thrive. But most importantly, it is the creative, non-traditional modern architects and their outside-the-box mentality that provides the focus of this book. As the author points out, there's less a sense that there is a fixed set of rules, and the Los Angeles architect sees himself as free to do whatever he pleases and to make architecture fundamentally sensual. Most of the book is dedicated to the "New Wave" that began in the late 1970's, a trend that incorporates graphic design resulting in houses that are "bright, lively, full of humor, suffused with light and vibrant with color". Architect Frank Gehry, some of whose buildings have actually become tourist attractions, receives considerable attention. Some of the other names (and quite a few are discussed) are less well known and maybe not as prolific, but their creations are no less fascinating. While the text is interesting and provides good commentary and historical perspective, it is the photographs that make this book a pleasure to peruse. Beautiful pictures of amazing houses, both inside and out. Think of the best pages of upscale shelter magazines (Architectural Digest, Metropolitan Home, Elle Decor, etc.) plus a very good understanding of the L.A. culture and lifestyle, and you get the idea. I lived in Los Angeles for many years and this book brought back memories of houses that I could only fantasize about living in.