Gibbs Smith Publishers, 248 pages, $58
As big and bold as the subject it addresses, this stunning coffee table book is a beautiful representation of the blending of contemporary architecture and home design.
Twenty-seven incredible homes are presented through individual photo spreads by photograher Matthew Millman and Zahid Sardar's detailed descriptions. Sardar explores the west coast of Canada and the United States including Alaska and Hawaii, but the majority of the residences featured are located in California.
As the architects satisfy their clients' needs they also push the boundaries of design to create structures that are both functional and works of art.
From live-work space in San Francisco to the vast open prairie of Wyoming, each structure is connected to the local environment while making a statement of its originality. Sardar divides the homes into regions: Coast, City, Desert/Prairie, Ski Mountain, and Wine Country. Geometric designs provide the sharp, clean lines of modern design while the incorporation of the natural landscape, sustainable building materials, and dramatic use of natural light all point to an evolving approach.
TERRY PETERS
