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-Presen= t/dp/1954081901

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

Against the theory that the 20th century connected the objective of moderni=
ty to that of the Modern Movement, with the publication of "Twentieth-Centu=
ry Architecture and Modernity: Our Past, Our Present", Professor Patrizia M= ello 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 develo= pments over time (as well as the intense debates of architectural historian=
s, architects, and contemporary scholars) through the thesis of modernity a=
s tradition, research, and criticism, a concept of contradiction is support= ed. Further echoed by that of "architecture tout court," enhancing the pres= ent environment in its current fragility of views -- even more so today wit=
h 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-ne= glected role of critical construction and formation of society in an era, u= ltimately defined as "of Rembrandt beauty."

Critique: Featuring numerous illustrations and a Bibliography, "Twentieth-C= entury Architecture and Modernity: Our Past, Our Present" will have a very = special appeal and value to readers with an interest in Architectural Histo=
ry & Criticism. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Twent= ieth-Century Architecture and Modernity: Our Past, Our Present" must be con= sidered an essential and core addition to personal, professional, community=
, and academic library Architectural Studies collections and supplemental c= urriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Patrizia Mello (https://www.unive.it/data/people/21830983) =
is interested in history, theory, and criticism of contemporary design, top= ics on which she carries out in teaching and research for her books, numero=
us 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 Curios= ity" is about pushing the architectural limits of "What's possible?" In doi=
ng 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), eac=
h section tells a story through projects highlighting client dreams, techni= cal challenges, and social and environmental impacts.

"Roots" honors the strong foundations of EYP's 50-year history, including i=
ts early grounding in sustainability, preservation, and work with mission-c= entered clients. It covers a wide mix of transformative projects across hig= her education, healthcare, and government sectors.

"Complexities" reflects the many opportunities and challenges - design, tec= hnical, or otherwise - driving the firm's work over the past two decades. L= earn 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 i= mportant existing buildings can be reinvented, like those designed by archi= tectural 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 histor=
ic treasures, places of diplomacy, hospitals for mental health, centers for=
student innovation, and buildings inspiring the future of science and tech= nology. It uncovers what's possible when novel designs intersect with cultu= ral 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 pou= nds) volume, "Boundless: 50 Years of Curiosity" is collaboratively co-edite=
d by the team of Robert McClure, Jennifer Hebblewaite, and Leigh Stringer. =
A compendium of full color photographs augmented by informative commentarie=
s, "Boundless: 50 Years of Curiosity" also includes a complete listing of t=
he contributors and their credentials, as well as a listing of awards, coll= aborations, and image credits. The result is a fascinating, informative, me= morable, and seminal contribution to the growing library of Architectural H= istory references for personal, professional, community, college, and unive= rsity library collections.

Editorial Note: EYP (https://www.eypae.com) is consistently ranked as one o=
f the top architecture, interior design, and engineering firms, particularl=
y for their work in healthcare, higher education, cultural, government, sci= ence and technology, office, and modernization projects. The firm consisten= tly wins awards for design excellence related to their architecture, interi= ors, and modernization work.

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Midwest Book Review

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