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Rating: 
Summary: Modest Monumentality
Review: In this profile of the great Finnish architect Juha Leiviska, noted Professor of Architecture Malcolm Quantrill profiles Leiviska from his architectural beginnings to the turn of the century. Clearly Quantrill is a devoted fan of Leiviska, whom he sees as Finland's premier architect in the post Alvar Aalto age. Indeed, Leiviska followed Alvar Aalto and Reima Pietila in the great honor of becoming the architecture Member of the Academy of Finland in 1997. This is a beautifully photographed and designed book combining commentary (by both Quantrill and Leiviska himself) on significant buildings in Leiviska's body of work with plans and interesting perspective photography of these beautiful structures. Among my favorite buildings illustrated here are the German Embassy in Helsinki, the Kouvola (Finland) Town Hall, and all his churches. The understated modernity of Leiviska's churches form a body of work without peer in Europe. Particularly breathtaking are the Parish Church and Centre for Myyrmaki, Vantaa, and the peerless Mannisto Church and Parish Centre. Juha Leiviska is truly one of the all time greats of European architecture, and is one of the reasons that contemporary Finnish architecture has become the powerhouse that it is today. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in architecture or contemporary design. It is beautifully executed in every way, and I look forward to reading more from Malcolm Quantrill in the future.
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