Eugenia Bell Bücher

The Building Blocks series presents icons of modern architecture as interpreted by the most significant architectural photographers of our time. The first four volumes feature the work of Ezra Stoller, whose photography has defined the way postwar architecture has been viewed by architects, historians, and the public at large. The buildings inaugurating this series--Eero Saarinen's TWA Terminal, Wallace Harrison's United Nations complex, Le Corbusier's Chapel at Ronchamp, and Paul Rudolph's Yale Art and Architecture Building--all have bold sculptural presences ideally suited to Stoller's unique vision. Each cloth-bound book in the series contains at least 80 pages of rich duotone images. Taken just after the completion of each project, these photographs provide a unique historical record of the buildings in use, documenting the people, fashions, and furnishings of the period. Through Stoller's photographs, we see these buildings the way the architects wanted us to know them. In the preface to each volume Stoller tells of his personal relationship with the architect of each project and recounts his experience photographing it. Brief introductions reveal the unique history of each building; also included are newly drawn plans.

This book features profiles of over fifty establishments that have catered to royalty and discerning customers for more than a century. Winston Churchill famously noted the importance of quality, mentioning shops like Locks for hats and Lobbs for shoes. Thankfully, these storied businesses continue to thrive, offering traditional British goods and food to Londoners. Among the highlighted establishments are over thirty historic stores and around twenty eateries. For instance, John Lobb, Bootmaker in Mayfair, is described as "the most beautiful shop in the world" by Esquire, while Paxton and Whitfield, established in 1742, is renowned for its artisanal cheeses. The Grapes Pub, dating back to 1720, was frequented by Charles Dickens, who immortalized it in his work. Many of these establishments hold the Royal Warrant, a mark of excellence dating back to the 15th century. The book showcases a variety of bespoke shops, including shirt-makers, hatters, perfumers, and chocolatiers, all situated in charming locations across London. It also features traditional dining options, from picturesque pubs and cafés to fish and chips stands and eel-and-pie shops, celebrating the rich culinary heritage of the city.