Episodes in Public Architecture - by Andrew Frontini (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Architect Andrew Frontini converts the architectural monograph into a story telling vehicle to candidly reveal the inner workings of the architect's creative process as it intersects with the constantly evolving needs of our society.

Eleven narrative insertions are bound into the body of the monograph providing a parallel reading experience -one that gets in behind the polished architectural photography and curated drawings to reveal the poignant, often absurd and occasionally painful lessons that accompanied the gestation of each project. Every building has a story to tell and, in sum, these stories map the road an architect's career can take. Populated with cunning contractors, inspiring design legends (such as the late Cornelia Oberlander), intractable bureaucrats, obstinate senior partners, mentors, students, rivals and collaborators of every stripe, Frontini's road navigates technological revolutions, precipitous economies and societal threats that challenge the very notion of what architecture needs to be. With candor, humor and a design philosophy that is fundamentally open to suggestion, Frontini converts his personal experience into a set of universal reflections that are sure to inform, inspire and console architects (and the architecturally curious) at any stage in their journey.

Review Quotes

"Architect Andrew Frontini's recent book is a hybrid between monograph and memoir. The book presents 11 projects completed over the course of Frontini's career at the Toronto branch of Perkins & Will. Interspersed among glossy colour photos of each project are pamphlet-like inserts with Frontini's candid musings about the process of the project's making and lessons learned." --Canadian Architect