Building Facades

Faces, figures, and ornamental sculpture have been integrated into building forms since the dawn of humanity. In the past they adorned virtually every building and public plaza, humanizing architecture and enriching its "gift to the street." Even today, there are thousands of faces and figures on the facades of urban buildings nationwide. Yet because most of them are above street level, they often go unnoticed by the casual observer. This book brings them closer through a powerful telephoto lens. It also makes them a stirring case for the preservation, restoration, and continued use of the structures on which these elements appear. The main body of the book chronicles the elements and forms of architectural ornaments worldwide. It is devoted to highly detailed individual images, arranged in an "A-to-Z" format by their location on facades (such as cornices, lintels, or windows), and also by categories such as animal forms and human forms. A glossary and multiple cross-references make it easy to find information and trace influences. Renewal is also an essential theme. Many cutting-edge architects are currently reviving the use of faces, figures, and details on contemporary buildings. We witness the imaginative results, along with some innovative solutions regarding new facades.

Beyond its central premise, the book can be read through the connected lenses of Nonfiction. Those themes offer useful points of attention as the characters, ideas, or world develop, especially where the book complicates the expectations of its primary category.