お薦めの一冊：STRIKE A POSE

昨年の秋にGestalten（ゲシュタルテン）より出版された “Strike a Pose” という建築書籍について、週に一度のペースで５回ぐらいに渡り紹介する予定だ。日本の建築が紹介されている欧米の建築書籍というものはかなりあるが、“Strike a Pose” はこれら他のものと比べ、内容の密度という点で群を抜いている。ヴィジュアルデザイン方面での活動に長けているゲシュタルテンならではの視点から、ともすると新鮮味の乏しくなりがちな建築という題材を、訴求力のあるレイアウトで紹介していることも特筆すべき点であろう。早速購入してみようと思われる気の早い方は、日本のアマゾンから購入できる。

STRIKE A POSE: Eccentric Architecture and Spectacular Spaces is a book published last fall by Gestalten, a relatively young (since 1997) but quite established and unique publisher in Germany.

Gestalten’s art/design publications have rabidly expanded their cult following among the art and design community in Japan not only as the publisher of fascinating art/design books but also as a media and design agency showcasing the cutting edge of today’s visual art/design.

STRIKE A POSE shows us the “Extroverted spectacular architecture and futuristic spaces charged with iconographic scenes” consisting of 187 residences and buildings in 30 different countries by 129 architectural firms.

Due to the strict focus on its theme, the book includes high percentage of architectures and firms in Japan. Among many glossy coffee-table books on architecture with the photographs of compact, unusual looking houses in Japan, STRIKE A POSE is by far the best book I’ve seen in recent years.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone (professional or not) who is interested in contemporary architecture.