In 1955 Gio Ponti, still the founding editor of Domus, wrote of Jose Antonio Coderch, "Coderch can be considered a young master for his work and the moral integrity that inspires it."This comprehensive catalogue produced on the occasion of the exhibition with the Col.Legi d'Arquitectes de Catalunya thoroughly documents the works and projects of Coderch with plans, elevations, drawings and photographs. The text is well researched, providing information about Coderch and his contemporaries, and offers great insight into the period and circumstances that this architecture was produced in. Coderch began his career shortly after the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) in the climate of disorientation in which Spanish architecture found itself at that time. From his first works, realised with Barcelona architect Manuel Valls Verges, Coderch revealed a great clarity of thinking that became manifest in his elegant buildings. Among the many buildings documented are single-family houses, including the famous Ugalde House in Caldetas (1951).

Yes, another book on minimalism! However, this book is noteworthy for the quality of selected projects and the way they are presented. Various projects are organised into three chapters: homes, offices and public buildings and shopping spaces. Housing: Among the architects and projects featured are Shigeru Ban, House 2/5, Claudio Lazzarini and Carl Pickering, Montecarlo residence, Kazuyo Sejima & Ryue Nishizawa, M House, and John Pawson's minimalist apartments. Offices & Public Buildings: Baumschlager & Eberle Graf Offices, Axel Shultes + Charlotte Frank Crematorium in Berlin, Aranda, Pigem Vilalta Bathing Pavilion. Commercial Spaces: David Chipperfield Wagamama Restaurant, Antonio Citterio Principe Boutique, Hiroyuki Arami & Urban Fourth MA Gallery. Each project is well documented with numerous photographs and plans along with an accompanying text providing information on the materials used, the client, location and scale of the project along with some details.

Since commencing in 1984, Mecanoo Architects has achieved growing international recognition. From housing projects in the early days, Mecanoo has transformed itself into a multi-disciplinary architectural practice dealing with urban planning, landscape and infrastructure design. In this publication, founding partner Francine Houben presents a personal account of her architectural practice in the context of Mecanoo. Through 20 selected projects, she uses text and images to convey her experiences and thoughts about architecture. She illustrates three core concepts, composition, contrast and complexity, with projects, including the library at Delft Technical University, the National Heritage Museum in Arnhem, the Parkhotel in Rotterdam, a house and studio also in Rotterdam, and the reorganisation of public space for Groningen City Centre. Francine Houben is interviewed this month, check the Interviews section for more details.

The Artificial Landscape provides a thorough survey of over 130 projects by more than 60 Dutch architectural practices, reflecting one of the most dynamic design cultures of the present. As well as a survey of that design culture, it offers a panorama of Dutch architectural criticism, selected and introduced by Ton Verstegen. Essays are by Adriaan Geuze, Hans Ibelings, Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos among many other prominent thinkers. Among the architects featured here are Wiel Arets, Benthem Crouwel, Claus & Kaan, Erick van Egeraat, Mecanoo, MVRDV, OMA, UN Studio, West 8. In assessing the achievements of Dutch architecture, urbanism and landscape architecture this book endeavours to strike a balance between past, present & future projects. The earliest projects are from 1989 taking us up to present day projects and as yet unrealised plans. With the revival of interest in the 'modern' project the artificial is both real and inevitable, and Dutch architects are expanding the dimensions of this interest.