From Publishers Weekly
Since he started out in 1965, Botta has designed more than 300 buildings and has become known for creating spaces that not only relate seamlessly to their environment, but are particularly successful at reflecting, projecting and encouraging the uninterrupted flow of light into a space. This book highlights his most notable projects-populist victories like the Municipal Library in Dortmund, Germany; personal gems like two weekend houses in the mountains of Locarno-Cardada, Switzerland; the highly acclaimed Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MART) in Rovereto, Italy; and breathtakingly dramatic modernist designs like the Kyobo Tower in Seoul, Korea. Though the book does a first-rate job of representing each work, using fine photography and descriptive summaries, the essays in the front are far from illuminating. Botta's escapes criticism, as it's merely a brief overview of his work and philosophy, but the other three are generally vague and fawning. Of the MART, for instance, Giuliano Gresleri writes: "The building's perfect incorporation within its surroundings occurs with a naturalness that is both explanatory and monumental, confirming a capacity for interpretation that has reached the clearest point of its comprehensibility." Passages like this make one yearn for less analysis and more description. Still, the book succeeds as a representation of Botta's achievements, and is a worthwhile read for architecture buffs and anyone who appreciates the elegance of modern design. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Description
The recent works of the acclaimed Swiss architect are presented in this monograph on his world-renowned work and previously unpublished plans. Mario Botta’s buildings are characterized by simple, geometric shapes that juxtapose lightness and weight. This richly illustrated monograph examines Botta’s most recent examples of this theme, as seen in the Kyobo Tower in Seoul, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Jean Tinguely Museum in Basel, and the Cymbalista Synagogue in Tel Aviv. Hundreds of photographs, sketches, and plans illustrate the architect’s desire to create structures that adhere to and complement their locations, and show how his choice of materials emphasizes craftsmanship and geometric order. Botta’s finished buildings are examined alongside plans which never saw completion, demonstrating the extraordinary creative process of this modern visionary.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The buildings of the acclaimed Swiss architect Mario Botta are characterized by their preference for clear architectural forms that juxtapose lightness and weight. This monograph examines recent examples of this theme and shows how the architect's choice of materials emphasizes craftsmanship and geometric order. Botta's finished buildings are presented alongside designs which have not been realized or are ongoing, demonstrating the extraordinary creative process of this modern visionary.

SYNOPSIS

The recent works of the acclaimed Swiss architect are presented in this portfolio of his world-renowned work and previously unpublished plans.

Mario Botta's buildings are characterized by simple, geometric forms that juxtapose lightness and weight. This richly illustrated monograph examines Botta's most recent examples of this theme, as seen in the Kyobo Tower in Seoul, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Jean Tinguely Museum in Basel and the Cymbalista Synagogue in Tel Aviv. Hundreds of photographs, sketches and plans illustrate the architect's desire to create structures that adhere to and complement their locations, and show how his choice of materials emphasizes craftsmanship and geometric order. Botta's finished buildings are examined alongside plans which never saw completion, demonstrating the extraordinary creative process of this modern visionary.