Book review jan may 14

Thames and Hudson

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

Kerry Hill Architects:Kerry Hill Architects has two locations- the primary is in Singapore and the other recently built in Fremantle, Western Australia. Here, all the projects begin with blue pencil sketches.

Kerry Hill: Crafting Modernism All significant changes Geoffrey london take place happen early in the design process. No Hardback:440 pages Publisher:Thames and Hudson significant changes take Language: English place once the direction ISBN-9780500342862 has been set. Continuous evolutions take place Cover Review

from the earliest sketches.

His work has been published in A+U (Japan); Architectural Digest (Germany); Architectural Review, Wallpaper, World Architecture (UK), Architecture Australia, Monument (Australia); Indian Architect & Builder, Singapore Architect, and Space (Singapore).

He has lectured at the National University of Singapore, the University of Hawaii, the University

of Western Australia and the University of Queensland. His work has been exhibited in Perth.

Some of his projects are:• (1980-86) The Darwin

Centre, Darwin, Australia • (1987-91) The Sukhothai hotel, Bangkok, Thailand • 1992- Armitage Hill hotel, Galle, Sri Lanka • (1992-94) The Chedi hotel, Bandung, Indonesia • (1992-94) The Serai hotel, Bali, Indonesia • (1996-97) Ooi House, Margaret River, Western Australia Cover Review

• (1998-99) Singapore Cricket Association Pavilion, Singapore • (1998-02) The Lalu, Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan • (1998-03) ITC Sonar, Kolkata, India • (1999-02) Oglive House, Sunshine Beach, Queensland, Australia • (2002-04) Soi 53 Apartments, Sukhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand • (2005-10) State Theatre Centre of Western Australia • (2007-10) Beachside Leighton apartments, Fremantle, Western Australia • (2010-14) City of Perth Library, Western Australia

The Datai Datai is in the remote north western tip of Langkawi Island. The site extends from the forested foothills of telukdatai down to the sandy bay and Coral Sea, encompassing an intermediary zone of swamps and deems, rich in biodiversity.

The hotel is within the primary rainforest, 300n from the beach and 40m above the sea

level, where relatively fewer trees have to be removed. A small beach club is the only development from the sea.

The building is broken down into a series of guest room blocks and individual villas which blend into the jungle and are connected to public areas by elevated pathways, courtyards, terraces and bridges.

The centre is plateau like elevated form with a pool deck around which all the public functions are Cover Review

gathered.

Local materials have been used like hardwood columns supporting the restaurants are the trunks of the trees that were felled during the clearance of the site. The local stones also have been replaced and used.

Genesis Genesis is a mixed use building designed to prudent developer’s budget with the aim of maximising the plot ratio within tight urban planning limits. The design is a conscious attempt to contemporise this disappearing traditional building typology in which one lives above one’s place of work.

It is layered with retail and office space in the ground level and apartments above it. The

plan is punctured with light walls which allow day light and natural ventilation to penetrate all over the living spaces. The apartments have been designed to maximize the sense of internal space and openness. On the east and west facades are detached timber screens, held in steel frames which permit filtered light and controlled cross ventilation. It also provides privacy, shades and protection. The volume between the Cover Review

screen and glass facade is inhabited by veranda spaces of the apartments and is protected by electrically operated vertical timber brise soleils.

ITC sonar bangla ITC Sonar bangla is a spearhead for the renaissance of Kolkata.

The building was developed keeping a deep connection to place and tradition. The existing water body in the centre was transformed into a water filled courtyard of 120 by 40m planted with palm trees and lotus. All the public buildings and guestrooms were placed around this. The building’s mass was broken down by creating shifts in scale. The GRC louvers pigmented Cover Review

with brick dust possesses a hand craft rustic quality which is unique in the building.

*****

With inputs from Susmita Bhattacharya

Frame Publishers BV This huge book also shows international reference projects where these products have been used successfully. Each product is featured on eight pages that tell its story step by step. Profiles of the manufacturer and their associated designers provide a first framework. Conceptual design sketches, studies, technical drawings, photography of the prototypes, and the manufacturing process--alongside a clear description--explain exactly how the product is designed and manufactured. Product photography showcases the end result, and a spread filled with photos of various recently completed interiors that successfully feature the product complete the picture. Goods features ninety products which makes it quite a hefty book with eight hundred pages. All interior product ranges are included: from chairs to tables; from floor lamps to down lights; and from kitchens to bathrooms.

Very good book for product designers as well as students.

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

Goods: Interior Products from Sketch to Use Sarah de Boer-Schultz Hardbound: 500 pages Publisher: Frame Publishers BV Language: English ISBN-9789077174692

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

Lars M端ller Publishers GmbH

Architecture is Life edited by Mohsen Mostafavi is a compilation of some selected works for the Master Jury of the prestigious AGA KHAN AWARD FOR ARCHITECTURE. The Award Committee have the belief in their mind that Architecture can transform human lives and that is reflected on the selected projects addressed in the book.

The projects are richly illustrated, clearly stated through a fact sheet and

easy to comprehend.

Projects highlighted are classified into different categories such as Craft, Conservation, Infrastructure, Institution, Resilience etc Each of the shortlisted project shows what our understanding of the design can do. Editor Mostafavi describes that the Award makes such a strong case for the Architecture as the setting for life, and hence the dictum and title of this book, ARCHITECTURE IS LIFE.

352 pages, 206 images, hardback Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2013 ISBN 978-3-03778-378-8, English

****

Lars Müller Publishers GmbH

DON’T BRAND MY PUBLIC SPACE! Edited by Ruedi Baur, Sébastien �iéry, Civic City, Head Genève, EnsadLab 288 pages, 1669 images, paperback 2013, ISBN 978-3-03778-348-1, English

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

Don't Brand My Public Space!

by Ruedi Baur and Sebastier Thiery provides an excellent guide towards understanding of a less explored aspect of publicty and branding through the tools of graphic design.

The book is a compilation of valuable inputs from experts from diverse babackgrounds as political science, semiology, philosophy, art history and even geography. The book also presents some common known words and their definitions sourcing from all over the online resources and presenting them in a same platter.In a whole this book offers graphic design students , academicians, and professionals a whole new paradigm to tread on. A must read for every aspiring and practicing designer.

Though the book serves primarily graphic designers, but all the inputs provided can be equally enjoyed by people coming from all other disciplines too. A refreshing and brave heart presentation makes it a must read(or see) for everyone.

*****

Routledge Architects rely heavily upon drawings to convey their thoughts and expressions.Very few of them can claim writing as their forte. students are taught in architecture school to write leass and draw more.In the process they lose their ability of writing which can be as much creative as their drawing.'How Architects Write' is a first of its kind book emphasizin that an architect should possess for various kinds of writing ranging from journals,project report, Reasearch reports, business documents, manifestos and finally all

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

important thesis reports.

It is an all encompassing book and first of its kind in this field, Architecture students, professionals who have started to lose or already lost the art of writing will find this book an essential read.

*** How Architects Write Tom Spector and Rebecca Damron Paperback: 208 pages Publisher: Routledge (5 October 2012) Language: English ISBN-13: 978-0415891073

Routledge Designing Architecture

by Andrew Pressman is an essential guide throughout the design process to every person involved in design and design related field.How ro brainstorm, how to come out with all these ideas and while doing these works how to enjoy yourself.

A thoroughly guided and blissfully written, anybody going through it will feel the urge to start a design anew,such is the charisma of the writing.

Brief summarisation after each chapter

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

makes the book more user friendly and practical.

The book tells you a story.The story of design.I would request everyone to go through that story- live up to the joy of design once again and while doing so, not to forget to enjoy the Process.

Designing Architecture: The Elements of Process Hardbound: 208 pages Publisher: Routledge Language: English ISBN-978-0-415-59515-5

****

BIS Wayshowing>Wayfinding

by Per Mollerup is one of the very few books published on architectural signages and navigation. The book states in the cover itself that it is Basic and Interactive (and indeed it lives up to that claim).The book is presented with plethoras of examples and rich photographs from every corner of the world and very aptly presented with text materials.

Heuristics, terminologies and drawings make up the rest. The book is clearly divided in two segments i.e. 1)Principles and 2) Practices. Lucid examples along with

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

the principles explained makes understanding of the content very clear and readers can relate to the pictures by themselves.That is when the actual learning takes place.

I would highly recommend this book for anyone related to the field of signage, cartography,graphics and illustration.

Wayshowing>Wayfinding Hardbound: 240 pages Publisher: BIS Language: English ISBN-978-9063693237

*****

Wiley Eco Architecture of Ken Yeang provides a fascinating strategy and ideas into the skyscrapers design.

Yeang has adapted some of the green principle to design the skyscarapers in an interesting way.

Yeang is one of the first proponent of Bio-Climatic design and in this book edited

by Sara Hart, 23 such projects of Yeang has been divided in Bio Climatic design, Eco Master Planning , Transitional spaces, Vertical urbanism,

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

Technical innovations and vertical infrastructure.23 projects are divided into these segments and analysed according to their design goals and achievements.

However this book lacks a critical post occupancy survey that would have taken the projects to a new level of appreciataion.

Concepts of vegetation , eco-infrastructure and green planning are well illustrated.

Eco Architecture the work of KEN YEANG Sara Hart Hardbound: 304 pages Publisher: Wiley Language: English ISBN-9780470721407

Yeang analyses using four parameters, viz.

Green or Ecological infrastructure, Grey or Engineered infrastructure, Blue or Water infrastructure and Red or Human infrastructure.

This well illustratred and documented book would have been wonderful had there been some clearer pictures instead of these blurred ones.

***

a+t research group In the first line I have to mention that this book researched by a+t opens up a new horizon for understanding the housing perspective.I have hardly come across a book so well illustrated, analysed and more over interestingly presented.

Ten collective housing has been discussed in ten separate chapters while bringing in necessary references and similiar ideas from around the world.This is a must have for every student of architecture as well as practioners and academicians.

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

The introduction of each architect (even responsible for little known or little documented projects) in a separate way makes a completely useful guide and abolishes the need to look it up at library or internet further.

This single book has the capability of eliminating the need for further references at one go.

10 STORIES OF COLLECTIVE HOUSING Softbind: 320 pages Publisher: a+t Language: English ISBN-9788461641369

*****

Blackwell Abstract of 326 theories in just 603 pages just shows the plethora of topic it includes.

Starting from Arts and crafts movement to recent Deconstruction movement it encompasses almost all theories that have occurred during this time. This is an invalubale resource for any theorists and students who wants to delve deeper and think beyond.

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

The book highligts some of the well known as well as little known theories that have surfaced in one and last one and half century.Insight into most theories, charters and sissemination makes this book valuable.

Without reading each and every manifesto, an spending years to develop an understanding over them,this book excerpts the most valuable transcript and it is most certainly an astonishing read.

****

Architectural Theory : Volume II - An Anthology from 1871 to 2005 Hardbind: 656 pages Publisher:Blackwell publishing Language: English ISBN-9781405102605

Quercus

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

The title says Art: Everything you need to know about Art. When the title demands in such a way, then it adds to a confusion also that how can one give an idea of art that encompasses such a huge field. But ultimately the book lives up to its expectation that it generates. It is a comprehensive and yet little book of art that has tried within its limits to give the readers a beginners taste.

Certainly this is a commendable effort and it also tries to bring up the enthusiasm within one to research more into it.It serves as a very good beginners guide.

**** Art Susie Hodge

Softbind Publisher:Quercus Language: English ISBN-9781848662209

BIS

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

One may think or tempted to think that sketching is out of fashion nowadays going by the recent advancements in computer softwares. But after giving a look at this book he/she might be .forced to think differently

An astonishingly refreshing book of product design that emphasize the power of hand sketch. Actually even today hand sketches are invaluable for concept design and one can't fathom the imporatnce of it unless one flips through its pages.

It illustrates how easy and yet interesting results can be produced just by some markers and pencils. A refreshing book to every product designers.

*****

Sketching Drawing techniques for product designers

Roselien Steur Koos Eissen

Hardbind:256 pages Publisher:BIS Language: English ISBN-978-90-6369-171-4

Taschen

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

Architecture at the dawn of the 21st century: the indispensable compendium This two-volume compilation brings together highlights from TASCHEN's groundbreaking title Building a New Millennium and the first four volumes of our renowned Architecture Now! books for a comprehensive study of architecture around the world at the beginning of the 21st century. Up-and-coming architectstomorrow's superstars-are featured alongside the field's most respected practitioners, such as Santiago Calatrava, Herzog & de Meuron, Koolhaas/OMA, Daniel Libeskind, Richard Meier, Oscar Niemeyer, and Jean Nouvel.

***** 100 Contemporary Architects (2 Volume Set) Philip Jodidio

Barclay & Crousse / Casa Equis, Ca単ete, Peru Copyright: Jean Pierre Crousse/TASCHEN

Rick Joy / Tyler Residence, Tubac, Arizona, USA Copyright: Jeff Goldberg/Esto/TASCHEN

Hardbind:848 pages Publisher:Taschen Language: English ISBN-978-3836500913

Editorial Gustavo Gili A City Called Spain is a book that shows the landscape of Spanish contemporary architecture, with the most significant elements projected through a magnificent constellation of architects in the first decade of this century.

It is an intergenerational story in which new studios and upand-coming groups merge with the most established Spanish figures on the international scene.

Blanco have sought to draw a portrait of Spanish architecture, constructed by the architects on Spanish territory. To do so, they have placed only two conditions

THE BOOK REVIEW JAN-MAY'2014

on the selection of works: That their teams be based in Spain, so they are studios that live and work in our cities.

And that the works be built or designed and projected in Spain in this first decade of the century.

A magnificent book that shows the current developments on Spanish contemporary architecture.A must have in any reputed library and collection.

*****

A City Called Spain Manuel Blanco paperback: 361 pages PublisherEditorial Gustavo Gili Language: English, Spanish ISBN- 9788425223822