Architecture as Material Culture: The Work of Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp with Kenneth Frampton Hardcover – Import, 1 November 2013

Another review mentions that this tries to be a little of everything to the detriment of the whole. I don't think that criticism isn't maybe valid but considering the general status of monographs, especially compared to other recent purchases of mine, it's at least a more thorough and thoughtful volume than most.Overall I think the copious depth of representation: diagrams, sketches, photos, projections, details, process and product make this monograph a lot more rewarding than most others. You can always point out that the sketches are a little too close to the final product to be the actual process, and that the details don't quite show the most difficult or ingenious conditions. When put together with the text which doesn't overwhelm the work and the photos that don't turn this strictly into a coffee table book, it's a lot richer for the practicing architect to appreciate than most similar volumes. These things add clarity to the design instead of obfuscate with too much mumbo jumbo which is where a lot of architects hide their insecurities. Some of that is here but it's relatively muted.