Архитектура

This book teaches us that when the creative processes are used in combination with social, cultural and environmental systems, modern architecture meets without hesitation the artistic and sensible necessities of present days without compromising the requirements of our future generations. A combination of architects versed in sustainable, bioclimatic architecture and emergent architects, across different projects they explore the critical line between how we construct and the natural environment.

TASCHEN's 25th anniversary - Special edition! What do we really know about our ancestors? Not about the rulers and generals, but about laborers, farmers, soldiers and families. Egypt is a perfect case in point, almost a blank slate for most of us as it regards details of their everyday life. This useful and informative book attempts to set the record straight by offering a distinctive take on that most mythologized of epochs. Who would have guessed, for example, that the first strike in recorded history took place in 1152 BC during work on the necropolis in the Valley of the Kings, a protest by construction workers against delayed deliveries of oil and flour? Two fairly banal commodities maybe, but essential: oil protected the skin against the savage desert climate, whilst flour was the base ingredient for thirty different kinds of nutritional cake. It is this detailed examination of the evidence that distinguishes this volume, with chapters on everything from relationships to leisure activities, the role of women to the manufacture of mummies. And just like the mummies, “fragile as eggshell but solid as a statue” and magically able to transcend death, both people and country are brought alive for us again.

Roman emperors, Arab scholars, and early travellers were already drawn to and enchanted by the fascination of the land along the Nile. The pyramids of Giza, the temple-city of Karnak, or the Valley of the Kings with the grave of Tutankhamen even today maintain their extraordinary force of attraction.Across the centuries, the high culture of the ancient Egyptians has pertained its allure. This can certainly be attributed to their astounding architectural, artistic, and technological achievements as well as their high level of writing and literature. The unified world view of old Egypt, in which science and religion are an indissoluble unity, impresses us deeply, as well.

Egypt’s romantic allure does not end with the age of the pharaohs. This lavishly illustrated book offers an unprecedented look inside the opulent estates of the pashas, khedives, and great ladies of 19th-century Egypt, and the princes and kings of the early 20th century. Here in all its cosmopolitan splendor is the world of unparalleled prosperity that attracted adventurers the world over, from the Belle Époque through the Roaring Twenties. The stories of the families and architects behind 41 spectacular villas and palaces make this volume as fascinating to read as it is to look at. Sumptuously illustrated with 174 original color photographs, Egyptian Palaces and Villas will entrance and delight anyone interested in this proud land and its dramatic history.

A woman among Modernists

Eileen Gray is now celebrated as a pioneer of modern design and one of the most influential designers of the twentieth century, together with Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Marcel Breuer, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Alvar Aalto, Gerrit Rietveld and Charles Eames.

Her Bibendum chair and E.1027 table are today familiar icons around the world, while E.1027 and Tempe à Pailla – two houses that she built and furnished entirely with her own designs – are cited among the purest examples of Twenties and Thirties architecture.

Peter Adam, a long-time friend of Gray’s, has had privileged access to her surviving correspondence, drawings and journals as well as her architectural sketchbooks and photographic archives. From these sources he has built up a full-scale picture of her eventful life, from her aristocratic beginnings in Ireland, to the extravagant Art Deco period in Paris, and her productive years in the south of France.

Enriched by a wealth of previously unpublished material and an extensive plates section in full colour and duotone, this volume is a mine of rare and fascinating information which reveals above all the contemporary relevance of Eileen Gray’s work.

'More is more'. That is the motto of paster decorator Pieter Porters. His interiors are rich, full and cosy; even a little decadent. Interiors in which people can really live. The luxurious finishing of Elegance & Decadance also reflects that grandness.

What is the use of a lovely house or interior if you dare not live in it? If you are frightened of making something dirty or damaging it? In our eyes, a house should be a warm nest, a place where after a busy day, you can relax, and where family and friends are welcome.

Whether we help build up a house from cellar to attic, or add atmosphere to an existing interior with a few well-chosen accessories, at House of Porters we want to create a timeless world, in which people will feel comfortable. We aim for warmth, light, homeliness, comfort. Cold interiors or harsh colours are not our things. That does not mean that we never take on design or modern interiors, but even then we strive for that timeless atmosphere, regardless of trends or fashion fads. Our interiors are meant to grow and develop with their occupants throughout their lives.

The interiors illustrated in this book show perfectly what the House of Porters stands for: sumptuous, homely, warm and elegant, with here and there a touch of decadence.

Featuring interiors from all over the world, including Belgium, The Netherlands, the UK, Germany and Colombia, the pictures by Studio Verne and the magnificent layout by Leen De Pooter will fully grasp the authenticity and vivacity of Pieter Porters' interiors.

Pieter Porters is a decorator and flower binder. His timeless interiors can be admired in an astonishing house in the centre of Antwerp, where he also gives workshops and has a hotel. His previous book Senses of Living was an international bestseller.

This beautiful book is hand-bound with Linen that Porters designed himself and the book has a special closing system with a ribbon and a knot.

Known for her understated elegance, Stephaniem Stokes explains how to maintain fantasy and functionality in home decor by focusing on the planning of comfortable and multipurpose spaces that include attractive storage.

New York-based interior designer Stephanie Stokes has dealt with demanding spaces in apartments and houses worldwide. With consummate skill, she has delivered unparalleled efficiency of space without sacrificing style.

This design primer is organized by room type from living rooms and kitchens to bedrooms and entryways. Her ingenious solutions to the challenges of creating a livable environment from clever and attractive storage units to libraries that convert gracefully to guest rooms and home offices are inspirational to all homeowners. With exacting precision, she plans every anticipated need and can turn the tiniest of spaces into a cornucopia of cabinetry and imaginative storage. Her secrets for using every cubic inch while creating atmospheric environments that work are illustrated in this attractive yet practical book.

Recently awarded the Venice Biennale 2008 ‘Silver Lion for Most Promising Young Architect’, Elemental is a Chilean initiative creating innovative solutions for subsidized housing. The program’s urban projects aim to improve social housing for poverty stricken families. Elemental organized an international architecture competition which resulted in seven constructed projects throughout Chile as hybrids between house and building, pushing the limits of expansion and density. Built in central areas, these houses are half-constructed, offering inhabitants the infrastructure to extend the house to personal needs. This is a fascinating study of the successes and failures of the ‘Elemental Houses’. ELEMENTAL is a Do Tank affiliated with the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and COPEC, implementing urban projects for social interests.

The elements of Neo-classical style are the elements that reflect Neo-classism in modern living space. It could be as big as a solid Roman column, and as small as a beautifully carved artefact. These decorative substances can evoke imagination, cast visual impact, and reach the very inner part of the audience. They are not necessarily ‘vintage’, but they do convey the preciseness, solemnity, and luxury of Neo-classism. Neo-classical elements present strict geometric patterns and are more or less hand carved, bringing the ambiance of solemn elegance and the ‘human’ factor into the interior. Therefore, Neoclassical style is given more consideration in today’s interior decorating industry.

From the rising-star designer and author of the hit blog, Elements of Style, a full-color, fully illustrated book packed with honest advice, inspiration, ideas, and lessons learned about designing a home that reflects your personality and style.

Elements of Style is a uniquely personal and practical decorating guide that shows how designing a home can be an outlet of personal expression and an exercise in self-discovery. Drawing on her ten years of experience in the interior design industry, Erin combines honest design advice and gorgeous professional photographs and illustrations with personal essays about the lessons she has learned while designing her own home and her own life—the first being: none of our homes or lives is perfect. Like a funny best friend, she reveals the disasters she confronted in her own kitchen renovation, her struggles with anorexia, her epic fight with her husband over a Lucite table, and her secrets for starting a successful blog.

Organized by rooms in the house, Elements of Style invites readers into Erin’s own home as well as homes she has designed for clients. Fresh, modern, and colorful, it is brimming glamour and style as well as advice on practical matters from choosing kitchen counter materials to dressing a bed with pillows, picking a sofa, and decorating a nursery without cartoon characters. You’ll also find a charming foreword by Erin’s husband, Andrew, and an extensive Resource and Shopping Guide that provides an indispensable a roadmap for anyone embarking on their first serious home decorating adventure. With Erin’s help, you can finally make your house your home.

The art of embroidery has been practised for thousands of years. In the West, traditions have been at the mercy of trade and fashion, but in other regions, embroidery continues to be rooted in ancient beliefs and superstitions.

This beautifully illustrated book examines in detail the fascinating symbolism of the motifs and patterns that give life to these traditional textiles from around the world.

The global range is as remarkable as the variety of materials and motifs on display. Each textile – whether Chinese court insignia, Japanese kimono, Sumatran sarong, Turkish napkin, Ghanaian banner, Native American pouch or Peruvian Nasca textile, among others – bears its own distinctive designs.

Complete with:

  -  glossary
  -  dictionary of stitches
  -  information on public collections
  -  how to collect textiles
  – this is an unrivalled guide for anyone interested in textiles, costume or craft.