The Iconic House Book

published in: Architecture, Books By Marcia Argyriades, 16 December 2009

photo © Richard Powers

Architecture is the art and science of designing buildings and other physical structures.  Over the years the designs have changed but the need for shelter has been the same; a place where we seek protection from the elements, a defining space for our families and privacy from the public world.  Architecture is the process and the end-result of designing and constructing spaces that reflect functional, aesthetic and environmental considerations as it requires the use of various materials, technology, textures, light, and shadow.

photo © Richard Powers

photo © Richard Powers

The Iconic House presents 100 of the most significant houses of the past 100 years.  Dominic Bradbury, author of The Iconic House and Richard Powers, photographer compiled a comprehensive record of the signature domestic structures of the last century.  Houses that define and act as a guide to modern architecture which was not just another style, but it presented a new way of thinking.  Photographed by Richard Powers, this book acts as a highly effective architectural briefing; a catalyst to a century's worth of impressive residential commissions and personal projects.

photo © Richard Powers

Richard Powers is widely acclaimed for his architectural photography, and holds a number of significant projects on his resume which have previously been presented on Yatzer.  Interiors such as Donna Karan's Apartment in Manhattan, House of Jonny Detiger in New York which has also been presented on the December 2009 issue of Case Da Abitare, Ayazpasa House in Istanbul, and the house of architect Sharon Fraser in Australia.

photo © Richard Powers

The Iconic House is a must for the library of every architect as well as any design lover as it has familiar icons and floor plans of houses such as Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater and Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye, as well as rediscovered gems such as Charles Deaton’s Sculptured House and Jorn Utzon’s Can Lis.  This publication builds to a larger narrative of the revolutionary change in 20th Century design.  The book includes residential projects which span across Europe, America, Australasia, Latin America, Scandinavia and beyond.  Iconic Houses documents a wealth of regional variety and invention.

photo © Richard Powers

The Iconic House captures and reconsiders the most influential houses by the great architects of the age.  An indispensable survey of 20th Century architecture and the gripping story of a home revolution and a wholesale change in the way we live our lives by design.  How design creates unity in these buildings and creates a link between form, function, space, furniture and the art within each house to represent the architect’s possibilities and the clients taste.

photo © Richard Powers

The Iconic House Book is the lead title for 2009 as Thames & Hudson celebrates its 60th Anniversary.  The book was designed with an aim to be the first book on every aspiring architect’s shelf, appealing to those with an interest in powerful architecture and design, as well as becoming a beautifully produced reference work encompassing the best houses of the last one hundred years.

photo © Richard Powers

About
Dominic Bradbury is a writer on architecture who contributes frequently to international newspapers and design periodicals. He is the author of Mediterranean Modern and The New Country House.
Richard Powers is an interiors and architectural photographer who concentrates on residential buildings. He was the photographer for Tropical Minimal and Beyond Bawa, both published by Thames & Hudson.

photo © Richard Powers

Book credits
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Thames & Hudson (November 2, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0500342555
ISBN-13: 978-0500342558

photo © Richard Powers

sources:

Richard Powers , Thames & Hudson

  • friend
    Patio Furniture, 2010-02-03 10:01:54

    I highly recommend The Iconic House Book for those of you who still haven't gone through this book. Its simply amazing! Even if you are not much of a guy who wants to build houses you should definitely atleast see the pictures. I congratulate Richard Powers for his outshining performance in Photography. I thought I have seen the best pictures of my life when i was with some other( which i dont intend to say) famous photographer but then came you proving me i was wrong. Just by looking at those pictures I was entranced. And yes Dominic Bradbury as well! One thing I liked about Dominics writings was that he always sticked to the point.He never beated about the bush. He told the matter in Crystal clear way! So if you are someone planning to build a new house I will definitely suggest you this book.

  • friend
    mac data recovery, 2010-03-31 20:47:01

    This book is an absolute architect's collector and a great compilation of wonderful pieces. The photography is top notch and the writing by by Dominic is very direct and insightful. Although it'll be almost impossible to have houses like these, the book is full of ideas and inspiration for our own ideas. Thanks for putting this up.

  • friend
    2 Day Diet, 2010-05-15 11:33:45

    These photographs are excellent! The book is Great! Those houses are very beautiful! If can let me live inside, that is really too wonderful

  • friend
    p90x reviews, 2010-06-23 09:32:41

    Some truly beautiful photos Richard. This is definitely architecture as art. I have never seen a homes design quite like it, very unique.

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