James Cutler (Contemporary World Architects)

Rating:
Summary: It's the Only One
Review: A four star book about a five star architect. Wish there were more written about Cutler but this is it. Great introductory purchase into the work of the father of the "Northwest style." Until more is published, this is my Cutler reference. Good color pics. Pencil drawings that are truely Cutler craft.

Rating:
Summary: It's the Only One
Review: A four star book about a five star architect. Wish there were more written about Cutler but this is it. Great introductory purchase into the work of the father of the "Northwest style." Until more is published, this is my Cutler reference. Good color pics. Pencil drawings that are truely Cutler craft.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: Another exceptional book in the Contemporary World Architects series. Priced right, full of excellent photographs, and accompianied by well-written commentary, this book will not disappoint. The inclusion of sketches, plans, and other drawings make this an excellent addition to any architecture library.

Rating:
Summary: Rustic but still expensive
Review: Architects, like engineers, are usually not good writers, at least once they venture beyond technical matters, except they are often called upon, unlike engineers, to justify their work, which, in this case, boils down to building custom homes for a wealthy few (Bill Gates is one of his clients). The result is generally predictable and dull, as in this book. That said, he has good taste. His houses use stone and wood almost exclusively, and are invariably set in beautiful locations. Don't expect to learn anything about construction though; this is just daydreaming material for most folks.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely LOVE!
Review: Architects, like engineers, once they venture beyond technical matters, often don't know what to say. But they are often called upon, unlike engineers, to justify their work. The result here is, sadly, not worth reading. That said, he has good taste. His houses use stone and wood almost exclusively, and are invariably set in beautiful locations.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely LOVE!
Review: James Cutler's work is wonderful. His concern for the environment and commitment to not distrubing the buildings surroundings is amazing. The book contains great pictures, distinctly showing his use of wood and jointery. It contains a few drawings on each building, some being rather small and sometimes smudged. Despite this, the book is one of my favorites mainly because of the pictures of such wonderful architecture. If only we could all have such clients (and budget) to work with!

Rating:
Summary: Tectonically Wacked!
Review: James Cuttler is an inspirational environmentally sensitive Northwest architect who likes Rumford fireplaces. This book of Cuttler's projects is full of (mostly) houses elegantly built with recycled timbers and concrete and steel amongst trees that have not been destroyed in the construction process. Peter Bohlin, who wrote the Introduction, also likes Rumfords. What can I say? There's also this amazing underground garage for 300 cars for a well-known resident of Medina, WA. Buy the book. - Jim Buckley

Rating:
Summary: Very fine book about a very fine architect
Review: This is a very fine book about a very fine architect (from a publisher who's also doing a very good job). James Cutler's work has much more substance than virtually all of his better-known peers. He's concerned about the natural environment and that concern is translated into definite design strategies. He's also very much concerned with the craft of building and he understands that the art of architecture depends on materials and how they're assembled. This concern and understanding is evident in his loving and thoughtful development of details and in his material choices, which are very purposeful. This is not the type of architect who would treat brick the same as sheet metal when the budget wouldn't permit titanium. I think the reviewer who says that this work is "tectonically wacked" misses the boat. I agree that there are some minor oddities but if James Cutler's architecture isn't "tectonic," I don't know what is. I'd be tempted to say his work is all about tectonics if it wasn't also about space, sustainability, humane design, beauty..... I only wish the book were not so compact, but I appreciate the compact price. An important architect who has convictions, designs accordingly, and lets the world of fashion play its games by itself, a million miles away.