In our architectural pursuits; we often seem to be in search of something newer; grander; or more efficient—and this phenomenon is not novel. In the spring of 1910 hundreds of workers labored day and night to demolish the Gillender Building in New York; once the loftiest office tower in the world; in order to make way for a taller skyscraper. The New York Times puzzled over those who would sacrifice the thirteen-year-old structure; “as ruthlessly as though it were some ancient shack.†In New York alone; the Gillender joined the original Grand Central Terminal; the Plaza Hotel; the Western Union Building; and the Tower Building on the list of just one generation’s razed metropolitan monuments.In the innovative and wide-ranging Obsolescence; Daniel M. Abramson investigates this notion of architectural expendability and the logic by which buildings lose their value and utility. The idea that the new necessarily outperforms and makes superfluous the old; Abramson argues; helps people come to terms with modernity and capitalism’s fast-paced change. Obsolescence; then; gives an unsettling experience purpose and meaning.Belief in obsolescence; as Abramson shows; also profoundly affects architectural design. In the 1960s; many architects worldwide accepted the inevitability of obsolescence; experimenting with flexible; modular designs; from open-plan schools; offices; labs; and museums to vast megastructural frames and indeterminate building complexes. Some architects went so far as to embrace obsolescence’s liberating promise to cast aside convention and habit; envisioning expendable short-life buildings that embodied human choice and freedom. Others; we learn; were horrified by the implications of this ephemerality and waste; and their resistance eventually set the stage for our turn to sustainability—the conservation rather than disposal of resources. Abramson’s fascinating tour of our idea of obsolescence culminates in an assessment of recent manifestations of sustainability; from adaptive reuse and historic preservation to postmodernism and green design; which all struggle to comprehend and manage the changes that challenge us on all sides.
#3345509 in eBooks 2016-02-02 2016-02-02File Name: B01BTMZ92Q
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. very good book to have for professional finished garmentsBy Sogiepatternmaking and dressmaking combined in one bookam still using the methods taught here and the result is fabulousgood book for those who want to teach yourself patternmaking and dressmakingits far better than buying all those books with patterns3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Pattern drafting and construction help!By BookReviewThis is a great book. Its two books in one! Not only does it teach you how to create patterns for skirts; dresses; pants... you name it. It also guides the construction process - this is especially helpful. Many books teach you pattern making; but then leave you stranded when you consider how to put the thing together - where to interface; how to bone; which bits go where and how. Or you find a great book on construction; but are tired of buying commercial patterns and need a how-to! This is both. A great reference book for the intermediate and advanced sewer - as a trained pattern maker and professional seamstress I turn to it when approaching an unfamiliar task. I would advise that this book is not for the complete beginner - if you have pattern experience; and are familiar with fashion sewing; you will get more out of this. For a complete beginner; try How to Use; Adapt; and Design Sewing Patterns by Lee Hollahan which comes with patterns rather than mathematically drafting your own.12 of 12 people found the following review helpful. This Book is Not for the Faint-of-Heart!By Kimberly Ann BlevinsRecently; I checked this book out of our local public library. I have been sewing for nearly all of my life (and long since became a grandma); so I am not that easily impressed with most books on the subject; however; this book has "blown me away." It contains some 223 pages; packed; literally packed; with drawing after drawing showing precisely how to make or alter patterns to achieve the type of garment desired. It is easy to understand why this book is a required text in some fashion design programs. If you want to go beyond the basics of sewing (i.e. piecing together patterns) and delve into fashion design; basic and somewhat advanced; then consider adding this book to your home library as I plan to do. If the price tag seems a little daunting to you; see if you can preview a copy through your local library; I believe you will count it as time well spent.
