Black is a color of choice for many reasons — it’s sleek, slimming, and has just the right air of richness. For connoisseurs of the world’s darkest color and how it is used to define physical space, Phaidon offers up a masterpiece tome.
In Black: Architecture in Monochrome, the art house publisher explores the stunning depth and beauty of 150 chosen black structures which have been designed by some of the world’s top architects over the last 1,000 years. This heavy hardcover book is a perfect statement piece for a coffee table or personal library collection. It’s glossy, visually rich pages examine the drama of monochromatic architecture around the world.
Through large format photographs and text, you’ll go on a journey through skyscraper exteriors, houses, places of worship, libraries, and other significant structures. The book explores how world-class architects such as Mies van der Rohe, Eero Saarinen, Philip Johnson, David Adjaye, Peter Marino, Jean Nouvel, and Steven Holl have used the inky color to express themselves and their vision in ground breaking projects.
This is juxtaposed with quotes from some serious arbiters of black, from Yohji Yamamoto to Johnny Cash: “Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy – but mysterious. But above all, black says this: I don’t bother you – don’t bother me.” —Yohji Yamamoto.
To indulge in your own study in black, Phaidon’s Black: Architecture in Monochrome is available for pre-order.