Architecture of normal : the colonization of the American landscape

A multimedia exploration of the morphology of architecture in the American Southwest as defined by evolving modes of transportation. In examining advances in transportation, the book asks how we have come to acquiesce to the monotonous, isolating, and aesthetically bankrupt landscape of suburbia. It also casts predictions about how the future built landscape will look as it continues to adapt to patterns of human movement. * A portrait of human movement as related to the uninspired architecture spawned by transportation * A journey through time, from the Zuni pueblos to today’s bland logo buildings * 400 images provide insights into the making of the United States A striking dissonance exists between the overwhelming American landscape and the underwhelming architecture of its strip malls, fast food chains, motels and tract housing. In an undertaking that is part travelogue, art book and architectural survey, "Architecture of Normal" charts the patterns created by reigning modes of transportation and examines how people came to accept the bland, branded boxes lining America's streets and freeways as architecture. Beginning with a portrait of ambulatory Native American societies and the introduction of horses by the Spaniards, Kaven discusses the built environment shaped by trains, cars, planes and rockets. This highly visual narrative includes extensive historical photography and Daniel Kaven's own art "Charts the patterns created by reigning modes of transportation and examines how people came to accept the bland, branded boxes lining America's streets and freeways as architecture. Beginning with a portrait of ambulatory Native American societies and the introduction of horses by the Spaniards, Kaven discusses the built environment shaped by trains, cars, planes and rockets, and looks toward a future architecture defined by autonomous cars and air taxis"--back cover "A multimedia exploration of the morphology of architecture in the American Southwest as defined by evolving modes of transportation. In examining advances in transportation, the book asks how we have come to acquiesce to the monotonous, isolating, and aesthetically bankrupt landscape of suburbia. It also casts predictions about how the future built landscape will look as it continues to adapt to patterns of human movement" -- Publicaciones de Arquitectura y Arte "A multimedia exploration of the morphology of architecture in the American Southwest as defined by evolving modes of transportation. In examining advances in transportation, the book asks how we have come to acquiesce to the monotonous, isolating, and aesthetically bankrupt landscape of suburbia. It also casts predictions about how the future built landscape will look as it continues to adapt to patterns of human movement."-- Provided by publisher

A multimedia exploration of the morphology of architecture in the American Southwest as defined by evolving modes of transportation. In examining advances in transportation, the book asks how we have come to acquiesce to the monotonous, isolating, and aesthetically bankrupt landscape of suburbia. It also casts predictions about how the future built landscape will look as it continues to adapt to patterns of human movement.

Eine multimediale Erkundung der Morphologie der Architektur des amerikanischen Südwestens. Geleitet von der Betrachtung des sich entwickelnden Transportwesens stellt das Buch die Frage, wie Amerika sich mit der monotonen und ästhetisch banalen Umgebung der Vorstädte abgefunden haben. Eine reich bebilderte Reise durch Architektur und Landschaft der Vereinigten Staaten CONTENTS FOREWORD I-25 INDIAN PLAZA HUMANS HORSES TRAINS CARS AIRPLANES ROCKETS CIBOLA Author Biography Acknowledgments Index