Extreme Architecture: Building For Challenging Environments

Tough terrain doesn't make construction easy, but Ruth Slavid's upcoming book "Extreme Architecture: Building For Challenging Environments" proves that it's not only feasible, but the outcome is completely worth the effort. A journey through the elements, the book covers the major environmental factors—hot, cold, high, wet and space—categorized into five chapters and led by a brief summary explaining the difficulties of each climate. The range …

The Architecture of Parking

If architecture is, as Mies van der Rohe held, "the will of an epoch translated into space," then it's no surprise that a rabid proclivity toward parking structures marks the last century. Born out of an increasing reliance on cars, the design of parking garages range from the mundane to profound. Oftentimes, though, they're mistaken as purely utilitarian structures that have nothing to add to …

Marcel Wanders: Behind the Ceiling

A breathtaking monograph of prolific designer Marcel Wanders, "Behind the Ceiling" investigates the designer's motivations and inspirations, going beyond a simple catalog of work to lend real insight into what makes him tick. The coffee table-style tome looks at Wanders' ability to reference old motifs while simultaneously exploring new themes, making him a leader in the permeating neo-decorative trend of the last decade. Rejecting the …