ROOFS OVER AMERICA

by Marion Downer ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 29, 1967

Under many roofs, three separate books: a direct approach to architectural styles and methods of construction up to 1850 as exemplified in a succession of differently-roofed houses, with economic, social and cultural implications also; an attempt to introduce principles of urban planning and aesthetics through a look at city roofscapes and large-scale bulding projects; an album of contemporary roofs of novel structure offering new visual and utilitarian possibilites. The first section is superb--fresh insight from a familiar feature. In the second, casual organization, questionable examples and altogether inappropriate photographs (two views identified as nineteenth century contain unmistakable twentieth century buildings) add up to confusion. The last presents handsome buildings of considerable diversity, but the roofs are a function of the entire structural and aesthetic conception and to isolate them is, in several cases, a distortion of the architect's intent and misleading to the novice. Gold and dross--an uneven book (but large, clear photos throughout).

Pub Date: April 29, 1967

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1967

Categories: NONFICTION