I have the luxery of learning under Diane, and this book is required for one of the 3 courses she teaches. What makes Diane and her work compelling is that she is able to use history to defend and defeat modern architecture. Clear and consise, Dianes work will follow the background thoughts of many future architects.
Thought provoquing and illuminating. Always analyzing architecture from the larger scope of society. Never apologetic nor reserved in her comments, the author comes out as a real person. Whether you agree or disagree with her, I prefer a book like this one than a nonjudgemental review of buildings trends and theories. Wonderfully illustrated, and very clear in most passages. I really enjoyed the analysis of public spaces.
Diane Ghirardo put together an exceptional collection of photos of recent architecture. She has a good eye for whats good architecture and whats not. Many of todays top academia professors toe the line by supporting architects who are in power and in vogue and not necessarily talented architects. She obviously has more backbone. She doesnt play the politics. She picks good architecture for her book. I have a lot of books in my architectural library. Even though this book is inexpensive it may be my favorite.
