Why Architecture Matters: Lessons from Chicago

by Blair Kamin

For more than a decade, Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin has been writing fiery, intelligent essays on the state of contemporary architecture. His subjects range from high-rises to highways, parks to public housing, Frank Lloyd Wright to Frank Gehry. Why Architecture Matters collects the best of Kamin's acclaimed columns, offering both a look at America's foremost architectural city and a taste of Kamin's penetrating, witty style of critique.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Art, History

408 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Marlena]

DNF

[Hansel5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

After attending a lecture by Kamin where he launched his latest anthology of articles, I put that and this book on my 'to read' list.
Enjoyed it for the most part. I thought I was going to be more captivated by the stories, but I found it strange reading about building projects in the past. However, I did learn several things about the city, and disappointingly about the bureaucracy the city in embroiled in.

[Loreen Niewenhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blair Kamin has been writing about Chicago's architecture for more than a decade for the Chicago Tribune. This book was part of my reading before I began my walk all the way around Lake Michigan. I wanted to better understand Chicago -- since I began and ended my Lake Trek there -- and understanding its architecture was part of that.

This readable collection of Kamin's essays gives a wonderful overview of the choices that have made Chicago's skyline and city so special.