American Houses: The Architecture of Fairfax & Sammons

This is a beautiful book on recent classical residential architecture with high production quality. The book was delivered promptly, safely packaged, and in good condition. Great transaction!

If anyone wonders at the taste of contemporary architects, the darlings of media critics, this book is a breath of fresh air and a reminder that good taste never dies. Several recent commissions for private homes are reviewed with excellent photographs and narrative. The architects Fairfax and Sammons were unknown to me prior to this book, but I now wish I had the means to employ them. American Houses: the architecture of Fairfax & Sammons is a book to enjoy again and again.

This is a classic architecture monograph. The photography is excellent, and the text really serves to frame the photography and declare the design philosophy of the firm. The portfolio of structures is mostly residential rather than institutional, though Fairfax and Sammons have put together (and included in the book) a plan for Marion Square in Charleston that will probably never be executed but is still beautiful.The houses contained within are all luxury accomodations with stunning classical details of delicate proportion. These architects practice a restrained neo-classicism that is both pure and original, and gives the neo-classical revival the quality it deserves. You're not likely to tire of these houses the way Robert A. M. Stern can leave you overwhelmed and then bored. Their work is like that classic song that fails to get your attention on first hearing, but becomes an all-time favorite after awhile. The work of Fairfax and Sammons reminds me very much of the classical masterpieces of Norman Davenport Askins. All the sites are located along the East Coast, where this type of architecture fits the historical context.The only reason I rated it 4 instead of 5 is that I find these books to be vastly overpriced, much the same way art folio are overpriced. Since books like this are meant to be browsed and enjoyed, and do not serve as technical manuals or textbooks, I find it hard to justify the prices. That said, if you can find this one for a nice discount and you appreciate fine neo-classical work, you'll enjoy this book.

I love this book. I find myself flipping thru it while doing other things