A Weekly Dose of Architecture Books

September 7 sees the release of Art Spiegelman's first book since his Pulitzer-prize winner Maus about 15 years ago. In the Shadow of No Towers finds Spiegelman graphically describing, "the unfathomable enormity of the event itself, the obvious and insidious effects it had on his life, and the extraordinary, often hidden changes that have been enacted in the name of post-9/11 national security and that have begun to undermine the very foundation of American democracy." Portions of the new book can be found in McSweeney's Issue 13 , and have appropriately been run in the Chicago Reader , since the book's format echoes early newspapers, according to the publisher. If No Towers follows the precedent of Maus , it should a moving illustration of how one man coped with tragedy while also resonating with the reader.

Check out Lynn Becker's " Millennium Park - After the Hype ", published in this week's Chicago Reader . Another intelligent critique from Becker, it also has a good timeline of the decision-making process before Millennium Park became what it is today.

Next Thursday, September 9, is Chicago magazine TENbyTEN 's release party for their new issue, the Romance issue. Here's the lowdown: - Listen to LOVE BALLADS by THE ALUMINUM GROUP , PLASTIC CRIMEWAVE SOUND , and PRINCESS ! - Dance to the PULSE-QUICKENING BEATS of DJs TOUCHMASTER INFINITY and BEN FASMAN ! - Play PUTT-PUTT GOLF at a course designed by CHICAGO ARTISTS ! - Watch ROMANTIC FILMS selected by RUSTY NAILS of MOVIESIDE FILM FESTIVAL ! - Make out in our PHOTO BOOTH ! - Enjoy HEART-STOPPING HI-JINXS by COLLABORACTION ! - Lower your inhibitions with limited COMPLIMENTARY COCKTAILS by TANQUERAY No. TEN and CIROC from 8:00 - 10:00! $15 subscribers $20 general admission $25 day of the event To BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE or SUBSCRIBE , call 312.738.2990 or go to http://www.tenbyten.net/shop.html Cover price includes COPY OF ROMANCE ISSUE , TONS OF ENTERTAINMENT , and limited COMPLIMENTARY DRINKS from 8:00 - 10:00! First 200 guests receive $50 GIFT CERTIFICATES to...

Crain's Chicago Business reports on the latest in a long string of proposals for Block 37. Previous schemes by Helmut Jahn, KPF and Solomon Cordwell Buenz have faded away, but that's not stopping Perkins & Will (according to ArchNewsNow ) from taking a crack at it. The multi-purpose development would be made up of retail, restaurants, office, hotel, and residential, within a podium (with green roof) and three towers. The scheme relates directly to significant uses across each street, so retail is across from Marshall Field's on State, restaurants are across from the Oriental Theater on Randolph, an indoor space would extend Daley Plaza, etc. This should all sound (and look) familiar, as the basic formula of a mixed-use development on the site with towers has been a consistency with each scheme over the years. The major differences tend to be the developer, the main tenant, and that "special something." In the latest scheme, by Virginia-based Mills Corp., Ch...

PBS 's FRONTLINE will devote its next hour to the first year of rebuilding at the World Trade Center site, focusing on the role of Daniel Libeskind and his conflicts with Larry Silverstein and David Childs. Airing Tuesday, September 7, at 9pm, " Sacred Ground " will "[offer] a unique glimpse inside the architectural process." "Harumph" If previous FRONTLINE reports are any indication, the upcoming show should be an illuminating look into this first year, especially since the show had exclusive access to the architect over that time. I highly recommend the show's " The Jesus Factor ", which chronicles how "George W. Bush became a born-again Christian -- and the impact that decision has had on his political career." Definitely a timely report.

Lloyd Kahn published his now-classic book Shelter in the year of my birth - 1973. Thirty-one years later, his sequel Home Work: Handbuilt Shelter follows the example of the original, featuring "new and even more imaginative ways to put a roof over your head." From the book description: For many, modern life has created a physical and spiritual detachment from the earth. Home Work shows the ingenious ways people from around the world have plugged back in, providing ideas, drawings, tips and inspiration for builders, designers, artists, homebuilders and dreamers alike to incorporate into building their own personalized shelter, wherever their home is. More than simply a house design book, Home Work is about being in touch with one's nature and nature itself, and in doing so, satisfying basic needs from survival to self-expression. (via kegz.net )

Herbert's back. And up to his old tricks, spewing ruminations on - of all things - Art Nouveau and the 1960's. Not to mention old favorites like Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid. A sampling: Art Nouveau was a protean style. Those tendrils made for excellent shape shifting: flower stems, flowing tresses, sea grass, drapery, smoke, snakes, sonic reverberations, aroma, the emanations of lost souls. . . . . . . There were real snakes in Art Nouveau's imaginary gardens. Some of them wanted to be petted. Others could swallow you whole. . . . But how great it was to be young and neurotic in the 1960's! Nowadays, just about everyone is an uncontrollable misfit, but around 1960 it was just you, Montgomery Clift and Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates. Those were the days. Oh, Herbert!