Description
Iconic architecture that shapes the American skylines.
The development and expansion of cities in the United States over the last 150 years gave rise to one of the most ambitious and fastest growing building projects the world had ever seen. The landscape of cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and others, transformed immeasurably as a consequence of decades of construction, and some of the most iconic architecture in the world sits in the foundations of the US and its cities.
American Icons is a testament to the architectural masterpieces of the United States, from residential homes to skyscrapers, from museums to airports, and beyond. It features astounding works by renowned architects Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, John Lautner, and many others.
Through detailed, professional photography, as well as captivating reads by The New York Times writer Sam Lubell, American Icons unfolds the stories that form the American skylines, stories told by some of the greatest architects of the twentieth century.
Robin –
Author Sam Lubell writes in the book’s introduction that Frank LLoyd Wright was perhaps the main pioneer of the new organic architecture that influenced, in future decades, the building styles of John Lautner, Bruce Goff, Fay Jones, Herb Greene, Bill Peters and others. There was a stimulating counter to the work of these folk with the arrival, during the Thirties, of several European architects like Gropius, Mies van der Rohe, Breuer, Saarinen, Frey and Mendelsohn, all of the Modernist School. Their work, in later years, influenced Philip Johnson, Edward Durell Stone, Eero Saarinen, Pierre Koenig and William Pereira.
The book reveals, in hundreds of color photos, the work of these architects backed up with a several hundred-word essay for each building by Lubell, who knows his stuff and writes in an easy conversational style. Of course, all the well-known buildings are here (justifiably Lloyd Wright has twelve) but what I liked about the contents was the selection of the lesser known buildings like Robert Bruno’s ‘Steel House’, Herb Green’s ‘Praire House’ or Ant Farm and Richard Jost’s ‘House of the Century’.
I was particularly pleased to see that each building really made an attempt to show the structure, obviously the outside but several of the interiors. Bruce Goff’s ‘Ford House’ has nine, Schindler’s ‘Kallis-Sharlin residence twelve, Lautner’s ‘Elrod House’ ten. All the book’s photos are big on the page, frequently with one over a spread.
There are three essays between all the individual buildings where Lubell delves into various aspects of architecture and twelve pages near the back look at twenty-four buildings with a photo and long essay, this is followed by a building index.
I liked ‘American Icons’, it’s certainly a worthwhile look at some very creative architecture. I believe a second volume will be published later this year. You can look inside the book at Westread Book Reviews then click 2025 and March.
Harold P Mogensen III –
It was a gift and the recipient is totally pleased. Harold
Fred –
The Cranbrook Art Museum in suburban Detroit had this on display as part of their 2025 mid-century modern exhibit. I was impressed and bought it on Amazon.
I am an architect aficionado, mostly 20th century buildings. This book was broad in scope. Many iconic buildings.. Great pictures. And featured several buildings I wasn’t familiar with, which was a huge plus. It is also well-organized. It even included two Detroit faves: the Fisher and Guardian buildings. Call me VERY impressed!
When I finish reading I’m sure i will buy Volume 2.