Witold Rybczynski Libri

«Abbiamo inventato il weekend, ma i nuvoloni neri dei vecchi tabù incombono ancora sulla vacanza...» Quali sono le ragioni che ci hanno condotto a strutturare la nostra vita quotidiana in cinque giorni feriali e due festivi? In che modo il finesettimana è diventato la principale istituzione temporale dell'età moderna? E ancora: come e perché questa scansione del tempo universalmente condivisa ha influenzato la natura dei nostri svaghi? Witold Rybczynski, architetto, urbanista e celebre critico d'arte, abbandona temporaneamente il suo tradizionale terreno d'indagine per interrogarsi sull'improvvisa e in apparenza inattaccabile popolarità del sabato e della domenica nella storia dell'uomo, sulla trasversalità, nel tempo e nello spazio, di una pratica plasmata dalla credenza popolare e dall'uso quotidiano (al cui fascino nessuna civiltà è mai riuscita a sottrarsi), sulla matrice astronomica, religiosa, sociale, e forse persino biologica, di uno schema settenario necessario e misteriosamente radicato. Le curiose. puntuali, documentate e occasionalmente aulobiografiche osservazioni che dedica alla formazione del ciclo settimanale chiamano in causa il tradizionale rapporto tra lavoro e tempo libero, e la sua lenta e graduale evoluzione. Con l'aumento generalizzato del benessere, il moltipllcarsi delle possibilità ricreative e l'affermazione sempre più incontestata dell'etica del lavoro, la libertà di non fare nulla nei giorni di pausa lavorativa è diventata a poco a poco libertà di fare qualsiasi cosa, e infine obbligo ossessivo di fare qualcosa. Un filo sottile e antico, più intellettuale che reale, collega l'ozio contemplativo e disteso dei patrizi nell'antica Roma alle..attuali nevrosi domenicali del cittadino qualunque. Seguire questo filo è un modo originale e accattivante per capire l'animo umano.

The book presents a captivating exploration of Frederick Law Olmsted, highlighting his significant contributions as a landscape architect. It intertwines his life story with broader themes in American history, transforming his biography into an engaging intellectual journey. Accompanied by photographs, the narrative delves into Olmsted's visionary designs and their lasting impact on the American landscape, offering readers a deeper understanding of his legacy and the historical context in which he worked.

Set against the backdrop of Charleston's historic charm, the narrative follows a diverse group of architects and builders from the 1980s who creatively reshape the city’s landscape. Among them are a self-taught builder, an Air Force pilot, and a bluegrass musician, each contributing unique structures that blend historical inspiration with modern design. Through their stories, Rybczynski highlights the significance of individual creativity in urban development and how a city's identity can evolve through innovative architecture.

The book explores Vizcaya, a remarkable Gilded Age estate that exemplifies the era's opulence through its grand architecture and lush gardens. Utilizing illustrations and historic photographs, the authors provide a detailed narrative that captures the significance of this estate as a symbol of wealth and power during its time. The documentation highlights both the house and its landscape, offering readers a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the period.

Focusing on the life and contributions of Andrea Palladio, this account explores his profound influence on domestic architecture. Renowned for his original and engaging writing style, the author delves into Palladio's innovative designs and enduring legacy, showcasing how his work shaped architectural practices. The narrative offers insights into Palladio's methods and philosophies, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in architecture and its history.

Walk through five centuries of homes both great and small--from the smoke-filled manor halls of the Middle Ages to today's Ralph Lauren-designed environments--on a house tour like no other, one that delightfully explicates the very idea of home.You'll see how social and cultural changes influenced styles of decoration and furnishing, learn the connection between wall-hung religious tapestries and wall-to-wall carpeting, discover how some of our most welcome luxuries were born of architectural necessity, and much more. Most of all, Home opens a rare window into our private lives--and how we really want to live.

Witold Rybczynski offers a clever and insightful exploration of architectural style, blending humor with keen observations. The book delves into the evolution of design, highlighting how various influences shape our built environments. Rybczynski's engaging prose invites readers to appreciate the nuances of architecture, making complex concepts accessible and enjoyable. Through his unique perspective, he encourages a deeper understanding of the interplay between aesthetics, functionality, and cultural significance in architecture.

An inspired, engrossing look at what architecture is and how we live and work in it

"A winning book, a pleasure to read…a revelation about what architects actually do and how they go about doing it." –Los Angeles Times Witold Rybezynski takes us on an extraordinary odyssey as he tells the story of designing and building of his own house. Rybezynski’s project began as a workshed; through a series of "happy accidents," however, the structure gradually evolved into a full-fledge house. In tracing this evolution, he touches on matters both theoretical and practical, writing on such diverse topics as the distinguished structural descendants of the humble barn, the ritualistic origins of the elements of classical architecture, and the connections between dress and habitation, and between architecture and gastronomy. Rybezynski discusses feng shui, the Chinese art of placing a home in the landscape, and also considers the theories and work of such architects as Palladio, Le Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright. An eloquent examination of the links between being and building, The Most Beautiful House in the World offers insights into the joys of "installing ourselves in a place, of establishing a spot where it be safe to dream."

Focusing on urban living, the book offers a blend of intellectual history and critique, reflecting the author's extensive observations of cities. Witold Rybczynski, a prizewinning author and architecture critic, delves into how people inhabit and interact with their environments. This work builds on his previous successes, providing readers with a thoughtful exploration of metropolitan life and the nuances that shape it.