Nine Architecture Books as Christmas Gifts Reviewed

Artribune presents nine architecture books suitable as Christmas gifts, each reviewed with a focus on content and design. The selection includes Fulvio Irace's "Codice Mendini" on Alessandro Mendini, published by Electa (€130), emphasizing Mendini's visual aphorisms and his concept of "fragilism." Marco Sammicheli's "Disegnare il sacro" (Rubbettino, €24) examines sacred architecture in Italy from the mid-20th century to the 2000s, with illustrations by Elisa Macellari. "Carlo Scarpa per la sede della Banca Popolare di Verona" (Silvana Editoriale, €35) offers a detailed monograph on Scarpa's bank building. Raul Pantaleo's "La sporca bellezza" (Elèuthera, €13) recounts his work with Emergency in conflict zones, co-founding TAMassociati. Gonçalo Byrne's "Relazioni" (Christian Marinotti, €16) features critical readings of his projects by Cassandra Cozza and Chiara Toscani. Simone Gobbo's "Fuori registro" (Quodlibet, €16) uses a punk album structure to critique architecture's disorientation, with photos by Alessandro Calabrese. Michele De Lucchi's "Storie di architettura" (Skira, €19.50) narrates projects like Villa Sclopis through storytelling. "On the other edge" (D Editore, €22) documents Manuel Aires Mateus's workshop in New Zealand with 15 students on the O Peretu site. Consuelo Valenzuela's "Guida alle più belle case di artisti in Italia" (Stampa Alternativa, €18) surveys artists' homes from Vittorio Alfieri to Carlo Zauli.