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designboom rating:
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each of these houses is an attempt at building into and with the site, an attempt to
enhance and reveal its unique qualities.
architect steven holl has created this book by assembling 15 pieces of his work,
which deal with the theme of the 'house'. each of the chosen pieces is a reflection of
his unique architectural philosophy. the book is organized to express the application
of these ideas on projects of varying scales; from the 23,000 sq. ft. swiss residence
in washington d.c. to a small 80 sq. ft. cabin overlooking a lake.

the ideas explored serve as a new form of architectural ideology that investigates
the relationship between the built environment and nature. holl believes in an
architectural process which moves from the micro to the macro, where the site
dictates the constraints rather than the building. his work demonstrates this belief by
considering the elements of time and location, confronting the viewer on all senses.

the book highlights 15 recent residential projects designed by holl through images,
drawings, floor plans and site layouts. running through all the projects we can see a
common theme of light. holl's buildings are designed to evolve through the day and
year, changing in character as the light changes. he also makes use of materials
that accentuate the lighting. one key project makes use of a water pool to reflect
light into the house at specific times of day. these subtle and nuanced features
don't change the aesthetic but actually create one. they set holl's work out from the
crowd of contemporary architects. his work evolves over time depending on the
location and context, creating a unique style that is uniquely appropriate to the
individual project.

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designboom ratings:

......................... interesting
................... good read, worth a look
............. very good
....... excellent, recommended
. must have
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