Cover Image: Modernist Estates

Modernist Estates

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

What a very interesting and a amazing read. I do judge a book by its cover and I loved this books cover so nice and simple just drew me into reading it. I didn't actually read what the book was about but I was pleasantly surprised that not only was was it a fantastic history of modernist architecture but also show pictures of an apartment and about the people who live their to. It was brilliant I loved every minute of this book. I learnt so much from reading this book and also learning about the types of people choosing to live in these very unique buildings.  The questions the author asked each resident were so interesting and made for brilliant reading.  I must admit modernist buildings are not my cup of tea but it still fascinated me and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of reading the books. The layout of the book was brilliant. I loved all the photographs included in this book. The only thing I would of liked to see more of was a picture from the same angle of the buildings present day to see the comparison of of when it was build to todays picture.
So much praise goes to the author and publishers for creating this magnificent and interesting look at modernist buildings. 
The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/modernist-estate-by-stefi-orazi-quarto-white-lion-4-stars
Under either of the following names ladyreading365 or lady Reading365

Was this review helpful?

I liked how this book not only gave an overview of the estates, but made it personal by profiling people who lived at each estate. The interviews were nice, but the pictures of the spaces lived in were startlingly alive - bring the history into the living present.

Was this review helpful?

Fascinating read. Enjoyed the detailed history of the different buildings/developments and even more so the interviews with those now living in the properties. So many are creatives, they truly appreciate the history of the properties and this book celebrates it.

Was this review helpful?

Modernist Estates is a must-have for anyone that enjoys architecture and modernism. The book came about in such an organic way and I cannot wait to also read Stefi Orazi's blog to see the beginnings of how this book came about. The architecture in this book is not the only enjoyable part, but the interviews that take place of the people living in these amazing buildings are also a treat. I was blown away by how much of the original design has been kept in many of the buildings and I can appreciate that the people living in them live there for that original design and how they knew of the building before moving into it is heartwarming.

Was this review helpful?

Fascinating informative look at these unique individuals Modernist estates.. I loved getting a chance to learn about these estates there construction the gardens and other features Meeting individual residents being invited into their homes,Hearing their thoughts on their particular domiciles seeing how they decorate each unit.their decisions for living their and where they would live if money was no object.I really enjoyed this book will be recommending.#netgalley #quatrobooks

Was this review helpful?

Gorgeous and absolutely fascinating! This is a thorough and affectionate exploration of almost two dozen Modernist public housing complexes in England. Most were built during the postwar era, though the overall range spans from the 30s to the 90s. It brought to mind some of the later seasons of Call the Midwife, which often dealt with London's housing crisis. Several characters moved into flats like these and it was interesting to get a real-life look at the types of places they lived.

The exterior of each complex is featured, along with an informative article about how the building was designed and what its fate has become over time. Then a resident is interviewed with a standard set of questions and there is a set of stunning photographs of the interior of their homes. It's amazing how much beauty can be found even in the most brutal of brutalist structures!

This book would certainly be of interest to architecture buffs, as well as people interested in engineering, urban planning, and postwar English history, but I think almost anyone could appreciate the gorgeous pictures and unique look at a distinct time in modern history.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Was this review helpful?

Although I like reading about all the residents, I didn't particularly enjoy the photographs or the modernist houses. To be honest, I felt depressed after seeing all the old, crampy and tiny houses in Britain. This book could easily be a blog post.

Was this review helpful?

“Modernist Estates” is an attractive, sumptuous book reflecting the modern taste for modernist/brutalist architecture. It covers works by Goldfinger, SPAN, etc with brief architectural scene-setting for each development, interviews with the householder(s) and a series of interior shots.
By and large the interiors have a hipster-ish vibe to them, and unsurprisingly Shoreditch gets a few mentions, along with Bethnal Green and Barbican etc, and every other person seems to be an architect or graphic designer, so this is very much a glimpse at how the other half live. Most of the interiors have a clinical yet relaxed and liveable feel, but for all the middle-class, Guardian-reading vibes, many of the locations’ best days are behind them, and author Stefi Orazi doesn’t shy away from admitting this.
Overall this is an honest and unpretentious look at a diverse range of people and the modernist homes they live in, with excellent photographs throughout. The book is beautifully designed and printed, and is perfect for your IKEA coffee-table.

Was this review helpful?