The School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Buffalo publishes a regular series of books and journals documenting significant lectures, important local architectural events, and works at the school that contribute to the advancement of design. These books include a pair which are particularly relevant now that the Martin House visitor center has begun construction.
The first, Toshiko Mori was published in 2003. It is a small book documenting the design process and philosophy of Toshiko Mori, architect of the new Martin House visitor center, which is to be called the Eleanor and Wilson Greatbatch Pavilion. More information on the Pavilion can be found here. The book takes you through a handful of her design projects, including the Greatbatch Pavilion, describing the design process and influences in the architect’s own words.
The second book, published in 2005, titled Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House Visitor’s Center Competition – On Wright documents the competition which selected the design and architect for the Martin House Greatbatch Pavilion. It gives a brief history of the Martin House and describes the concept for the competition followed by a presentation of the design entries by each of the 5 invited architectural firms.
Each entry was quite interesting and compelling on their own, but when compared against the winning Toshiko Mori entry it is abundantly clear that the chosen design was the only design for this important and difficult project site. Mori has proposed a simple piece of poetry for the Martin House complex. It provides a solution to the very real and complex challenge of building in close proximity to a major master work. If rendered well, it will be one of the world’s most important architectural sites (no exaggeration).
Check out these books. They books can be ordered on the School’s web site here http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/sap/overview/publications.asp
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