Schindler and the Small House Bill Boehm; Boston Architectural Research Center, 1996, 56 pp., $13 paper, 8.5 x 8.5 , approx. 110 illus.

MAK Center for Art and Architecture - R.M. Schindler Edited by Peter Noever; Prestel, 1995, 114pp., $15 paper, 5 x 8.5, approx. 126 illus.

Schindler David Gebhard; Stout 1997, 176pp., $30 paper, 8.75 x 8.75, 184 illus.

Zugmann: Schindler Peter Novever and William Mohline, Form Zero, 1996, 24 pp., $25 cloth, 10 x 14, 21 illus.

Reviewed by Lester Paul Korzilius
Approximately 300 words

The Austrian / Californian architect RM Schindler (1887-1953) is the subject of renewed interest. He is best known for his houses of the 1920s and 1930s, particularly the Lovell Beach House of 1926. His own house and studio, designed in 1921, is now the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, sponsored by the Austrian government. This house, constructed of tilt-up concrete panels separated by glass slits is one of Schindler’s best known projects.

The MAK book has many photographs of the Schindler house, together with background articles on Schindler and the Center. Most importantly, it is a guidebook to many Schindler projects in the Southern California area, with several photographs each of thirty different buildings. These photographs with descriptions give a good overview of Schindler’s work. The book includes a map of Los Angeles identifying many Schindler buildings still in existence.

David Gebhard’s book, originally published in 1971, reissued in 1980, and now amended, is still the best book on Schindler. This edition adds nearly 20 color renderings (the original edition’s photos are black & white). Gebhard’s lucid text, together with the drawings and photographs presented give an excellent overview on Schindler’s work.

A pamphlet prepared by the Boston Architectural Research Center focuses on Schindler’s smaller houses. Plans, sections, and elevations from the working drawings accompany black & white photographs of the buildings, giving the practicing architect an excellent in-depth understanding into these projects. These buildings demonstrate that a modest program and a limited budget do not always prevent a work of architecture.

The Zugmann:Schindler book contains 21 exquisite black & white photographs taken by photographer Gerald Zugmann. Half the photos are of Schindler’s home and studio, with the balance covering assorted projects. The essence of Schindler’s work was the creation of architectural space. Zugmann’s photographs are some of the best yet published to capture this essence.