cover image Education of an Architect

Education of an Architect

. Rizzoli International Publications, $60 (351pp) ISBN 978-0-8478-0969-1

Located in the heart of New York City, Cooper Union's architecture school has been an influential force in shaping modern architectural trends. The cross-section of studio projects by the school's students and faculty covered here ranges from the practical to the utopian and quixotic. City planners would do well to pay attention to the projects included in this survey, among them inspirational plans for a men's shelter on the Bowery, a total transformation of Ellis Island, a cultural center for Hoboken, N.J., an opera house, a library, a firehouse. On the other hand, the architectural projects inspired by works by Cezanne, Paul Klee, Thomas Hardy, Gregor Mendel and the Orpheus legend will interest mainly students. A repository of ideas for architects and designers, this handsome tome includes manifesto-like statements, sketches for houses, markets, bridges and a motel and visual doodles on elements of urban landscape. (Jan.)