A Weekly Dose of Architecture Books

One of the first assignments of the Spring semester (more on my classes in a future post) is Paris, a Roman City , an interactive web page on the archeology of the city -- a historical period that is often overlooked in favor of eras like Haussman 's plan -- by France's Ministry of Culture and Communication . It's informative, well-done, and visually rich; well worth browsing.

Here's a wrap-up of my 30 buildings/places in 30 days: Also see my 30in30 Flickr set .

In thinking about how to complete this series on my urban exploration of New York City this last month, part of me wanted to present something new and rarely seen. At the same time, part of me wanted to present something that's been around a while, something that I know somewhat well. I opted for the latter, presenting here the Storefront for Art and Architecture by Steven Holl and Vito Acconci , which I featured on my weekly page way back in 1999, shortly after I started that page. When I walked by the storefront recently I saw the trademark swinging panels in the closed position. It was Tuesday, so the gallery was supposed to be open, meaning the panels should also be open. Upon opening the entry door stepping inside I discovered why the panels were closed: for the Clip/Stamp/Fold exhibition, the inside surface of this wall was completely covered with a grid of rectangular images, the covers of the magazines on display. Ever since (and probably before) working on a student-ru...

Sensory Design by Joy Monice Malnar and Frank Vodvarka, published by  University of Minnesota Press , 2004. ( Amazon ) It can be argued that since the Renaissance architects have been wearing visual blinders. They value form, formal novelty, and other visual considerations over those of the other human senses: sound, touch, and smell/taste. It seems that when architects do give (almost) equal value to these other senses, it's only with projects that require a particular environmental sensibility, such as medical treatment facilities. But don't the day-to-day activities, the spaces where we live, work, and play deserve the same consideration? Joy Monice Malnar and Frank Vodvarka think so. ...

Bronx Museum of the Arts in The Bronx, New York by Arquitectonica When one visits the Bronx Museum of the Arts and its new North Building by Arquitectonica , one can't help but think that the relationship between old and new is unresolved. Sure, there's a link between the 2006 expansion and the existing (a 1960s synagogue with late 80s addition) but the new zig-zag seems too far removed from the old boxes to create a pleasing assemblage. This feeling, though, is justified when one learns that this expansion is only the first phase in the museum's expansion plans. In its current state, Arquitectonica's addition sits back from the corner now occupied by a greenhouse-like structure, the museum's former entrance. In the long-term plan, the pleated facade of the new design will ...

The Lehman College Physical Education Facility (APEX) in the Bronx by Rafael Vinoly was completed in 1994. What started as a conventional facility became a building that defines the college's northern edge and also provides a ceremonial gateway to the campus from this edge. The street elevation of the complex is highly unremarkable, a concrete and glass wall that is more the latter than the former. The only relief comes at the aforementioned gateway opening. Once one moves through this opening to the south side of the building, the building changes character. "The building’s roof, a segmented convex curve, descends almost to the ground." Right of the image above are below-grade tennis courts. At left is the view below. This campus-side elevation could have been extremely overpowering, though the architect skillfully breaks up the expansive roof into sections so that it doesn't appear unrelenting. While it may not "disappear from view" per the architect'...