The architect of order and balance, a monograph about the Minimalist ethic in the work of the British architect John Pawson, a pupil of Shiro Kuramata.
John Pawson’s unusual approach to architecture combines his scrupulous search for simplicity with acute attention to detail. During the last ten years, Pawson has applied his concept of architecture, trimmed down to the essential elements of space, proportions, light and materials, to a range of buildings which are completely new in terms of dimension and size. Through a series of thematic essays and a description of the individual designs, the author describes the work-methods adopted by the studio, the various stages of the design process and the complex rapports between the people commissioning the work and the architect. The book is also a reflection on the challenge – 30 years on from his first designs for the flats of art dealer Hester van Royen and the writer Bruce Chatwin – imposed by his increasingly large workload of remaining loyal to his original vision. Beautifully illustrated with photographs, which show both the design process and the completed works, Puro spazio is an ideal introduction for those who are new to John Pawson’s work and a new, fascinating insight for those who have long admired this architect’s work. The book will also satisfy the curiosity of people interested in the human background of architects and designers. John Pawson was born in Yorkshire in 1949.