Paul Cattermole (1941–2009)

This is a portmanteau book of a lot of buildings that are well-known and a few that aren't. The most bizarre building is that on the cover and that's what tempted me to buy it. The concept, though good, seems to have been watered-down into what photographs are publicly available, perhaps not all, but I recognise quite a few of them, and the text isn't particularly illuminating.

I can't really recommend the book except to give it as a gift to someone who likes architecture but isn't that knowledgeable about it.… (mehr)

A large-format book illustrating many modern buildings with sumptuous photography. Interestingly, the author connects many of the buildings with science fiction imagery and ideas; indeed, much of the theme of the book keeps returning to this idea, and there is even the Arthur C. Clarke quote about "sufficiently advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic" prominently displayed. Certainly, many of the buildings do have a science-fictional quality about them, such as the Kunsthaus in Graz or the Eden Project in Cornwall. Interestingly, I am familiar with five of the buildings included.… (mehr)