The Architecture of Community, by Leon Krier, is a thoroughly enjoyable must-read for anybody interested in the built environment and issues of community, zoning, and architecture.
Krier is an exceptional artist, writer, and thinker. The book is packed with his beautiful, trademark hand-drawn sketches and humorous captions. Assembled over a period of 8 years or so with the urging assistance, and persistence, of Dhiru Thadani and Peter Hetzel, the book developed slowly in a manner nearly identical to the formation of some of the greatest places on earth.
Consequently, the book itself is a great place to find yourself pondering the myriad of Krier's perspectives and decades of philosophical inquiry in the practice of architecture and building.
Mr. Krier is one the most influential architects teaching and writing today and was commissioned by HRH the Prince of Wales to plan Poundbury, UK. While not the main subject of this book, Poundbury stands as testament to the practical application of the critical thought embedded in the dozens of short essays that constitute the book. The essays weave a rich fabric adorned with hundreds of Krier's sketches; carefully patterned vignettes enjoyable on their own or as a book read end-to-end.
I was fortunate to have had Dhiru Thadani as my first-year studio professor at The Catholic University of America. It had been years since I had seen Dhiru, but I caught up with him and Mr. Krier at a recent Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) meeting. I have to admit that when I had heard about the book unveiling a week or so earlier, I had decided there was no way that I was going to miss it. I planned my whole calendar around it. Dhiru was appropriately proud to introduce the new book, and his good friend and guest of honor, Leon Krier, and a free copy was raffled off at the meeting. As luck would have it, my business card was pulled out of the hat as the winner!
I was thrilled to receive a first-run printing of this wonderful book from my former professor Dhiru Thadani (left) and Leon Krier (right). Thank you, Dhiru and Mr. Leon Krier, for this book and inspiration! I sincerely hope that you, too, will get your hands on a copy and enjoy it at least as much I have.
