[.ca] Modernism Reborn: Mid-Century American Houses (ISBN 078930550X)

From Amazon.com:
In the late '90s, publishers began to race to get a book out that would cater to the explosive interest in all things midcentury modern. There was Classic Modern, Naturally Modern, and Modernism Rediscovered, to name just a few of the better ones. With the publication of this volume by regular Architectural Digest contributor Michael Webb, we finally have a book that not only provides a plethora of design ideas we can steal for use in our very own living rooms, but also tells the often-captivating behind-the-scenes stories of each great home it showcases. The focus here is on the saving of these houses, and Webb's text is wonderfully insightful. One of the 35 spectacular homes featured is celebrated architect John Lautner's Harvey House in Los Angeles, the very same once-dilapidated house (the book captures it in its newly restored state) over which actor Leonardo DiCaprio went head to head in a bidding war (and lost) with actress Kelly Lynch and her husband, screenwriter Mitch Glazer. The house is a work in progress, full of difficult judgment calls. The expanded kitchen may be cut back and the original St. Charles cabinets reinstalled. The rotunda will be refined and there is a possibility of recreating the aluminum-framed glass breakfast nook--a kind of high-tech gazebo--originally located under the pergola. Meanwhile the owners and their small daughter adore living here. "At night, we can look all the way through and out at the lights of the city," says Lynch. "I find myself caught up in the spirit of the place, wander about, and forget I'm in the middle of watching a movie!" Newly commissioned photography by Roger Straus, known for his panoramic shots of Frank Lloyd Wright structures, is another highlight. Designed and built in the 1940s, '50s, and '60s by architects such as Richard Neutra, Pierre Koenig, Philip Johnson, Eero Saarinen, John Lautner, H.H. Harris, Gregory Ain, Paul Rudolph, John Black Lee, Allyn E. Morris, and Ulrich Franzen, the 35 homes presented here are some of the most sought after in America. If you're into modern or want to know what all the fuss is about, this is the book you'll want to own. --Richard Olsen

cotton candy:
I'm surprised at the raves for this book. It is well produced. The photos are terrific. But: The building descriptions do little more than cheer-lead. He raves about features which are not illustrated. Most of the buildings only get 4 photos. The plans provided are far too small, usually only one plan is provided, though most of the buildings have more than one level. In at least one case the plans are mislabled. I'd only recommend this book to somebody who only wants a catalog of names. Still waiting for a really good book about mid-century modern architecture. This isn't it.

Fifties elegance:
I bought this interesting book because I wanted something that would cover, visually, the best of mid-century American architecture. As another reviewer has said, don't expect a full technical account of the background to these beautiful houses but if you want excellent exterior and interior photos in a well designed and printed book, 'Modernism reborn' is the one to get. The fact that these thirty-five houses have all been restored in some way gives the book extra interest. Many of them were featured in the architectural press years ago when they were first built and these are the photos you usually see in books. Some of them were neglected but fortunately the current owners thought restoration worthwhile and this is how Roger Straus photographed them. An interesting companion book to 'Modernism reborn' is 'Classic modern: mid-century modern at home' (ISBN 0684867443) by Deborah K Dietsch, not directly concerned with the architecture but more to do with the furniture, fabrics, lighting and style that made these houses such wonderful homes. If only I could afford to live in one!

A Great Book on Great Houses:
This is an elegantly presented book on elegant, finely crafted houses...an instant new favorite of mine. Author Michael Webb draws the reader in through his delightful stories of these homes, their original owners, subsequent owners (who, more often than not, misunderstood what they had purchased and, in the process, destroyed these three dimensional works of art), and eventual resurrections by more sympathetic owners. It is an interesting approach (before/after/now) and one quite enjoyable. As a result, the reader becomes emotionally drawn to the pristine creations chronicled by Webb, a type of house that usually comes across as aloof and chilly. The photographs by Roger Straus are splendid and show the homes to advantage (although it would have been nice to see people actually using the rooms). A significant disappointment was the lack of images showing the homes in their "remuddled" state; it is difficult to fully appreciate just how much work went into the rebirth of some of these classics. Nonetheless, Webb and Straus have produced an interesting, informative, and fascinating read about a style of house that has never been presented better. Congratulations to them and to the many intrepid, intelligent owners who bravely undertook such projects.

A Glorious Celebratation of Modern American Houses:
As a fan of modern archictecture, I have numerous books on the subject -- the magnificent photographs by Roger Straus and excellent text by Michael Webb move this volume right to the head of the class!

A Fun Tour of Rarely-Seen Gems:
I loved the stories behind each of these houses. I own several books on midcentury mod and this is the first that truly captures the modern aesthetic, from the book's design to the photography to the writing. Excellent!