[.ca] The Louisiana Houses of A. Hays Town (ISBN 0807123714)

True To Life:
As an Interior Designer who grew up in the bayou, I find this book to be right on the money. It's better than I ever expected. Anyone who is trying to learn more about Louisiana living or just wants to reflect on childhood memories would lose themselves in this book. It's easiest to understand how Louisiana Architecture affects the Louisiana lifestyle by seeing photographs. For those poor souls who don't know A. Hays Town's work; you will. His position in great American arcitecture has already been secured!

If you like Louisiana architecture, you'll love this book!:
Hays Town developed his own interpretation of Louisiana-flavored design that is timeless. The pictures are inspiring; both inside and out. His total control over the houses resulted in interesting and functional design both inside and out. I would recommend for anyone thinking about building or buying.

Hays Town should be rated one of the best of architects:
The magnificent use of recycled materials and varied textures has had a profound effect on residential architecture in Louisiana and Mississpi. I know as a local resident that any home that he has had a personal touch in building is a true showcase. Many younger architects are now trying to copy or learn from his style. Unfortunately, there are as yet no equals to his expertise. This book is a lovely treatise of some of his best work. It is, however, incomplete. How sad. We will miss him.

Beautiful photographs of timeless architecture:
"The Louisiana Houses of A. Hays Town" combines text by Cyril E. Vetter with photographs by Philip Gould. Together, they celebrate the classic houses designed by Town. The book is full of superb photos of both interiors and exteriors. The book ends with a short essay by Andres Duany, in which he declares, "The long, long career of A. Hays Town is like a bridge that brings forth the traditional architecture of Louisiana to the present generation of builders." Many picturesque elements recur throughout the book: classical statuary, brick floors, exteriors with a look of natural weathering, 2-level exterior galleries, etc. Some particularly memorable images include the following: Hamilton House's interior courtyard overlooked by a second floor balcony; Westerman House's charming lily pond, made from an old sugar kettle; the rustic wood posts on the porch of the Bonnecaze House; the elegant white pillars of the Godchaux House; and more. My only disappointment is that floor plans for the homes are not included; they would have, in my opinion, given readers a better sense of these houses. Still, if you love great American architecture, I recommend this book.

A subtle salute to the heritage in homes of A. Hays Town:
Town, a South Louisiana native and student of the South, offers a subtle salute to the region's heritage in the 25 homes featured in "The Louisiana Houses of A. Hays Town." Photographs by Philip Gould capture the subtle design and recurring patterns in Hays' design. The text by Cyril E. Vetter and a tribute by Andres Duany is reverential...It is tempting to pause over Gould's photographs of Town's work, treat them like Ken Burns treats Civil War photographs and follow the lines. An alley of crepe myrtles frames the brick archway entrance to a richly detailed courtyard...A weathered fence serves as foreground detail for a shot of a deep, brick-floored porch...These are elements of Town's style. His residences wear it well.