The selection, preparation and application of materials in architecture represent key decisions in the design process, today as in the past. This book features projects by Archea Associati, a firm of architects and designers founded in Florence in 1988, that demonstrate how materials can be used in innovative ways, while still honouring their traditional characteristics. Glass, terracotta, concrete and wood are just a few of the elements they work with. Examples of ancient and contemporary materials are featured throughout this well-illustrated volume. A gallery of photographic images accompanied by drawings and descriptive texts illustrate each building, alternating between details and general views, from the basic elements to the complete work as a whole. AUTHOR: Joseph Giovannini has served as the architecture critic for New York magazine and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, and was long a staff writer on design and architecture for The New Yorker, Architectural Record, Architectural Digest, Art in America, Art Forum, Architecture Magazine, Architect Magazine, Industrial Design Magazine, and Interior Design. A prominent figure in American architecture, he has been an activist critic with a record of discovering emerging talent for major mainstream publications and professional journals. He coined the term ‘Deconstructivism’ during articles he wrote announcing the movement. Giovannini has written literally thousands of articles for periodicals, and he has also authored numerous essays for books and monographs. As a critic, he has won awards, grants and honours. SELLING POINT: . Features present and past architectural projects by Archea Associati that demonstrate how materials can be used in innovative ways while still maintaining their unique characteristics 120 colour, 40 b/w images