March 2023 MBR The Architecture Shelf

The Architecture Shelf

Twentieth-Century Architecture and Modernity: Our Past, Our Present
Patrizia Mello
ORO Editions
31 Commerical Blvd., Suite F, Novato, CA 94949
www.oroeditions.com
9781954081901, $34.95, PB, 200pp

https://www.amazon.com/Twentieth-Century-Architecture-Modernity-Past-Present/dp/1954081901

Synopsis: The theme of "modernity" was the launching pad for architecture in the 20th century, to the point of completely revolutionizing our way of life. By causing in its development absolutizations and misunderstandings, actual motives linked to the profound desire to improve everyone's life were reconsidered.

Against the theory that the 20th century connected the objective of modernity to that of the Modern Movement, with the publication of "Twentieth-Century Architecture and Modernity: Our Past, Our Present", Professor Patrizia Mello deals with the theme of a present continuity by revealing those "open visions" that characterized modernity at the end of the 19th century.

Professor Mellow critically reviews the main stages of architectural developments over time (as well as the intense debates of architectural historians, architects, and contemporary scholars) through the thesis of modernity as tradition, research, and criticism, a concept of contradiction is supported. Further echoed by that of "architecture tout court," enhancing the present environment in its current fragility of views -- even more so today with the appearance of a virus capable of undermining our way of living. These are "contemporary modernisms" aimed at recovering the essence of a recent past to project it into the present, restoring to architecture that long-neglected role of critical construction and formation of society in an era, ultimately defined as "of Rembrandt beauty."

Critique: Featuring numerous illustrations and a Bibliography, "Twentieth-Century Architecture and Modernity: Our Past, Our Present" will have a very special appeal and value to readers with an interest in Architectural History & Criticism. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Twentieth-Century Architecture and Modernity: Our Past, Our Present" must be considered an essential and core addition to personal, professional, community, and academic library Architectural Studies collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Patrizia Mello (https://www.unive.it/data/people/21830983) is interested in history, theory, and criticism of contemporary design, topics on which she carries out in teaching and research for her books, numerous essays, and articles. She currently teaches Contemporary Architecture II at the Ca' Foscari University of Venice.

Boundless: 50 Years of Curiosity
EVP
ORO Editions
31 Commerical Blvd., Suite F, Novato, CA 94949
www.oroeditions.com
9781954081758, $45.00, HC, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Boundless-50-Years-Curiosity-EYP/dp/1954081758

Synopsis: Highlighting 50 years of examples, "Boundless: 50 Years of Curiosity" is about pushing the architectural limits of "What's possible?" In doing so, it highlights the history of EYP, an interdisciplinary design firm, and its unique culture through a rich body of work.

Deftly organized into three parts (Roots, Complexities, Possibilities), each section tells a story through projects highlighting client dreams, technical challenges, and social and environmental impacts.

"Roots" honors the strong foundations of EYP's 50-year history, including its early grounding in sustainability, preservation, and work with mission-centered clients. It covers a wide mix of transformative projects across higher education, healthcare, and government sectors.

"Complexities" reflects the many opportunities and challenges - design, technical, or otherwise - driving the firm's work over the past two decades. Learn about clients and projects that challenged limits of design, including a green-powered US Embassy; a Planetree hospital; a flexible student maker space, and a state-of-the-art workplace for a national lab. Discover how important existing buildings can be reinvented, like those designed by architectural icons Eero Saarinen and Louis Kahn.

"Possibilities" covers work the firm is engaged with today - either on the boards or under construction - including community centers, national historic treasures, places of diplomacy, hospitals for mental health, centers for student innovation, and buildings inspiring the future of science and technology. It uncovers what's possible when novel designs intersect with cultural insights to create authentic experiences, enhancing people's lives and communities.

Critique: A magnificent coffee-table style (9.1 x 1 x 11.8 inches, 3.75 pounds) volume, "Boundless: 50 Years of Curiosity" is collaboratively co-edited by the team of Robert McClure, Jennifer Hebblewaite, and Leigh Stringer. A compendium of full color photographs augmented by informative commentaries, "Boundless: 50 Years of Curiosity" also includes a complete listing of the contributors and their credentials, as well as a listing of awards, collaborations, and image credits. The result is a fascinating, informative, memorable, and seminal contribution to the growing library of Architectural History references for personal, professional, community, college, and university library collections.

Editorial Note: EYP (https://www.eypae.com) is consistently ranked as one of the top architecture, interior design, and engineering firms, particularly for their work in healthcare, higher education, cultural, government, science and technology, office, and modernization projects. The firm consistently wins awards for design excellence related to their architecture, interiors, and modernization work.

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