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After many years of wishing, some months ago I finally visited the old Imperial Hotel, now relocated to the Meijimura open-air museum in Inuyama, Aichi. I sat in the hotel lobby for 2 hours to soak in the atmosphere.
This book explains the history, design, and philosophy of the Imperial Hotel and the architect behind it. I am no fan of Frank Lloyd Wright as a family man (he deserted his first wife because he became infatuated in another woman; shame on him!). Nor am I impressed with how he treated his clients (cost over-runs were commonplace -- one client remarked "We had an unlimited budget, and we exceeded it" -- and many clients were shocked to receive bills for unsolicited "gifts" sent to them by Wright). But his designs have continued to fascinate me.
This book is an in-depth treatise on Wright's planning and execution. Rare photos and architectural drawings are found throughout the book. Those of you who have read an overview of Wright's designs will be pleased to find a detailed explanation of a building that was a cornerstone of his career. |
