I urge everyone interested in Phoenix architecture to buy the just-published Midcentury Marvels, a book produced by the Phoenix Historic Preservation Office and Ryan architects http://phoenix.gov/historic/. I attended the unveiling last Friday, and, because it's a hectic time for me I haven't yet read every word, but I can say what is obvious, that it is a beautiful and exciting book. The articulate and passionate Forward is written by Mod-Phx (...dot NET) founder Allison King. On a first flipping (and hearing the unveiling lecture) I especially appreciate relating Phx Marvels to the big river of modernism. Of course some will reasonably complain that some building or other was omitted (for example, the Executive Towers, among the Towers, since the first floor is commercial). I imagine there were some lively conversations about what to include. But I should say outright that I really admire the choices.
Amazingly the book is only $20. I suggest that Mo-Pho's buy extra copies to give to businesses with a waiting lobby. For example I get haircuts at Swank Salon at the Executive Towers (Beadle). If the owner agrees to display the book, I plan to donate a copy. (We should suggest that businesses featured in the book buy copies to display.) And we should donate copies to local high school libraries.
