Book Reviews
RUSSIA NOW: CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
Edited by Philipp Meuser (Dom) £39.95
ISBN: 978-3-938666-72-2
Much has changed in Russia over the last few decades. In terms of creative output, the
country has modernised in many ways – and at a extremely rapid pace.
All aspects of that development are charted in this unusual book, covering architecture,
interior design and product design.
What is perhaps most intriguing is the way in which each featured design appears
to contribute something highly individual to the overall picture. Whether a piece of
architecture or interior detailing, the styles are many and varied and the end result can be
very aesthetically challenging – especially some of the ultra-modern structures that, whilst
stunning in their own right, are seen to jar somewhat against the surrounding art nouveau or
art deco buildings.
The new Russia has long since adopted as its own the former Soviet Union‘s ambitious
desire to be a leading player in the creative disciplines – but with one key difference: the
designs and construction processes coming out of Russia now reflect those of the country‘s
former ideological foe.
What you’re left with is a mish-mash of different styles and influences that, when it’s all
put together, adds up to something totally unique and distinctly Russian.
MAGIC METAL – Buildings of Steel,
Aluminum, Copper and Tin
By Dirk Meyhöfer (Braun) £27.50
ISBN: 978-3-938780-31-2
Magic Metal – Buildings of Steel, Schwarzenbergschanze in Klingenthal by
No other construction form represents Aluminium, Copper and Tin, demonstrates m2r architecture and impressive façades
modern high-tech buildings like the how various kinds of metal are used in that envelope buildings in original ways,
combination of glass and steel. Buildings architecture. About 70 projects from to formidable large-scale projects like the
that employ these materials stand for around the world are featured and each Airbus A380 Hall in Hamburg by gmp or the
advanced architectural technologies and demonstrates versatile and unusual examples Paul Klee Center in Bern by Renzo Piano.
demonstrate the new freedom of architecture of the most modern architecture. Frank O. Gehry demonstrates that metal
with their elegant and dynamic forms. Classic Photographs of the project are is extremely formable and flexible with his
materials such as copper and zinc also play accompanied by detailed plans and short Marqués de Riscal Hotel in Elciego. Sculpture-
an increasingly bigger role in construction. project descriptions highlighting some of the like, the project manifests its artistic qualities
As an expression of traditional manual craft special features of the individual buildings alongside its architectonic ones.
they represent not only quality, longevity and their interiors. The lightness of touch shown by some
and beauty, but also offer engineers, The scope of the presented buildings of the featured architects is particularly
architects and designers extravagant and is remarkable: from filigree framework impressive, and underlines the real versatility
almost limitless modelling options. structures like the distinguished of this tough and reliable material. designer
book reviews sept.indd 16 27/8/09 15:20:05
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