Architecture

Visions of Seaside: Foundation/Evolution/Imagination. Built and Unbuilt Architecture

Time magazine noted that Seaside "could be the most astonishing design achievement of its era…." Visions of Seaside is the most comprehensive book on the history and development of the nation’s first and most influential New Urbanist town. The book chronicles the thirty-year history of the evolution and development of Seaside, Florida, its global influence on town planning, and the resurgence of place-making in the built environment. Through a rich repository of historical materials and writings, the book chronicles numerous architectural and planning schemes, and outlines a blueprint for moving forward over the next twenty-five to fifty years. Among the many contributors are Deborah Berke, Andrés Duany, Steven Holl, Léon Krier, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, Aldo Rossi, and Robert A. M. Stern.

About The Author

Dhiru A. Thadani is an architect and urbanist who has worked on projects in Asia, Europe, and North and Central America and now serves as urban design consultant to several U.S. and international cities. He is the author of several books. Vincent Scully is Yale University’s Sterling Professor Emeritus of the History of Art and Architecture, author of numerous books, and recipient of the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest honor for artists and art patrons. Paul Goldberger is a Pulitzer Prize–winning architecture critic and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. He is the author of more than ten books and coauthor of many others.

  • Publish Date: September 03, 2013
  • Format: Hardcover
  • Category: Architecture - Urban & Land Use Planning
  • Publisher: Rizzoli
  • Trim Size: 9-1/2 x 10-1/2
  • Pages: 608
  • US Price: $95.00
  • CDN Price: $130.00
  • ISBN: 978-0-8478-4153-0

Reviews

“…Beautifully written and illustrated…It’s not a small volume at 600 pages, but Visions is seriously impressive as its subject. Lovers of architecture and town planning will be fascinated…Highly recommended.” ~Switchboard from the Natural Resources Defense Council

"Visions of Seaside explores designs of the town that were never constructed and the lessons it offers as an urbanist design. The book offers stunning, unique photographs and insights into the Seaside community from its humble beginnings to its modern development today." ~30A- Florida's Scenic Highway

“Thadani unveils with artistry the complete history of Seaside, from the plans when the roads wiggled, to the efficient street and lot plans, to the evolution and transformation of spaces as places, to futuristic views of an even more sustainable and  venerable town...Visions of Seaside is five books in one…When I purchased Thadani’s magnum opus, I began to marvel at the impressive composition of diagrams, sketches, plans and photographs, each of them a tribute to Thadani’s respect for all who have contributed to the success of Seaside.” ~Better! Cities & Towns

"...one of the most breathtaking books to come out this fall...You will not be disappointed with the images and scholarly text." ~Restless Urbanist

“The book provides an extensive history of the town as well as discussions about its ideals. Each house—and other buildings, including many that were merely planned, not built—is profiled in this Bible-size collection and the volume is packed with suggestions for alternative town layouts.” ~Designers and Books

“In the massive book Thadani documents much more than firsthand observations of his stay; he thoroughly recounts the history and evolution of the pioneering community, highlights many of the place’s distinctive buildings and presents a wealth of unbuilt proposals to learn from.” ~houzz.com

Author Bookshelf: Paul Goldberger