John Lautner: Architect PB

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous resource and record...
Review: This book is really a treasure, with virtually all of the text and commentary provided by Lautner himself. A wonderful resource for anyone interested in understanding Lautner and his work.

The photographs, plentiful, are not quite as striking and colorful as in later books (especially the Hess/Weintraub book), but are interesting as most seem to be roughly contemporary with each building's completion, probably the original documentation photography, usually showing the original furniture and decor. (This is also the reason that a few buildings, like the Harvey House, have no interior photos--Lautner was not happy with certain decorative decisions and would not permit their publication.) This book and the Hess/Weintraub book together allow a fascinating "then/now" look at many buildings, showing how well they have adapted and survived changing styles and tastes.

Furthermore, this is the most comprehensive of the books on Lautner, including a great deal more buildings than the others and also a complete list of works, both built and unbuilt, sometimes with drawings. Buildings are also covered in more detail, with plans and sections provided for each.

A note on the older/hardcover editions: some may have binding errors, such as groups of pages out of place or upside down (the title is also upside down on the spine), but these errors may be unique to just a few copies, I'm not sure. Also, I know there is at least one photo that is slightly different in my hardcover copy than in the paperback--same view, different lighting and furniture.

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous resource and record...
Review: This book is really a treasure, with virtually all of the text and commentary provided by Lautner himself. A wonderful resource for anyone interested in understanding Lautner and his work.

The photographs, plentiful, are not quite as striking and colorful as in later books (especially the Hess/Weintraub book), but are interesting as most seem to be roughly contemporary with each building's completion, probably the original documentation photography, usually showing the original furniture and decor. (This is also the reason that a few buildings, like the Harvey House, have no interior photos--Lautner was not happy with certain decorative decisions and would not permit their publication.) This book and the Hess/Weintraub book together allow a fascinating "then/now" look at many buildings, showing how well they have adapted and survived changing styles and tastes.

Furthermore, this is the most comprehensive of the books on Lautner, including a great deal more buildings than the others and also a complete list of works, both built and unbuilt, sometimes with drawings. Buildings are also covered in more detail, with plans and sections provided for each.

A note on the older/hardcover editions: some may have binding errors, such as groups of pages out of place or upside down (the title is also upside down on the spine), but these errors may be unique to just a few copies, I'm not sure. Also, I know there is at least one photo that is slightly different in my hardcover copy than in the paperback--same view, different lighting and furniture.