Vast interior spaces have become ubiquitous in the contemporary city. The soaring atriums and concourses of mega-hotels; shopping malls and transport interchanges define an increasingly normal experience of being inside in a city. Yet such spaces are also subject to intense criticism and claims that they can destroy the quality of a citys authentic life on the outside.Interior Urbanism explores the roots of this contemporary tension between inside and outside; identifying and analysing the concept of interior urbanism and tracing its history back to the works of John Portman and Associates in 1960s and 70s America. Portman – increasingly recognised as an influential yet understudied figure – was responsible for projects such as Peachtree Center in Atlanta and the Los Angeles Bonaventure Hotel; developments that employed vast internal atriums to define a world of possibilities not just for hotels and commercial spaces; but for the future of the American downtown amid the upheavals of the 1960s and 70s. The book analyses Portmans architecture in order to reconsider major contexts of debate in architecture and urbanism in this period; including the massive expansion of a commercial imperative in architecture; shifts in the governance and development of cities amid social and economic instability; the rise of postmodernism and critical urban studies; and the defence of the street and public space amid the continual upheavals of urban development.In this way the book reconsiders the American city at a crucial time in its development; identifying lessons for how we consider the forces at work; and the spaces produced; in cities in the present.
2016-01-14 2016-01-14File Name: B01AMH8L2Y
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good info; no imagesBy Ellen J. MacWilliamThis book contains a lot of information about various animation pioneers throughout the history of the industry. I have it as a required book for a history of animation class I teach. The only complaint my students make is it needs pictures to go along with the animators and their most acclaimed work.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Who were the researchers and editors of this book???By John W. YocumThis book was a gift and it is a lot of fun; but I have never seen so many editing errors and factual mistakes in my life!! Repeated phrases in the same sentence; and sentences that run on for eight to ten lines in the book with so many commas used that I lose the idea of what the sentence was about in the first place! Then theres the factual errors such as saying that Tex Avery died in the Hanna-Barbera parking lot when he actually was found there by Hanna and taken to the hospital and died weeks later from cancer; or that Maurice Noble returned to Warners Chuck Jones unit in 1951 and helped to create the layouts for a cartoon that was released in 1948! Then theres the comment that the Francis the Talking Mule films were made by United International Pictures when it was UNIVERSAL International Pictures! I like the book; but I think Im having more fun reading to find mistakes than anything else.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Provides an A-Z reference of biographical informationBy Midwest Book ReviewHeres the first biographical reference to detail the careers of nearly three hundred animation greats around the world; from producers and directors to animator artists. Its written in cooperation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and scientists and other major film and award groups; and provides an A-Z reference of biographical information; discussions of early film works and styles; key films; and character evolution. Heres the first biographical reference to detail the careers of nearly three hundred animation greats around the world; from producers and directors to animator artists. Its written in cooperation with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and scientists and other major film and award groups; and provides an A-Z reference of biographical information; discussions of early film works and styles; key films; and character evolution. While this couldve been featured in our arts or cartooning sections; its reviewed here so nobody will miss its biographical strengths.Diane C. DonovanCalifornia Bookwatch
