Pierre Koenig: 1925-2004: Living with Steel (Taschen Basic Genre Series)

There are few images of 20th century architecture more iconic than the nighttime view of Case Study House #22 set on its eagle€s-nest site high above the lights of Los Angeles. With his two innovative houses for the famous project of the Arts and Architecture magazine, American architect Pierre Koenig (1925-2004) became one of the leading figures of the Modern movement in America. While still a student of architecture, he designed and built his first exposed steel house in 1950, proving that the use of prefabricated materials could allow for spatial freedom in affordable houses. Koenig€s houses, like the Johnson House (1962) or the Oberman House (1962), are a direct response to Southern California€s extremely warm and dry climate. His work is deeply marked by his commitment to environmentally and socially responsible design. His houses have thus become characteristic of the spirit of a whole generation: they perfectly capture the excitement and optimism of the American postwar society.

 

About the Series:
Each book in TASCHEN€s Basic Architecture Series features:

• an introduction to the life and work of the architect
• the major works in chronological order
• information about the clients, architectural preconditions as well as construction problems and resolutions
• a list of all the selected works and a map indicating the locations of the best and most famous buildings
• approximately 120 illustrations (photographs, sketches, drafts and plans)