River and Road: Fort Myers Architecture from Craftsman to Modern– Jared Beck, Pamela Miner (University Press of Florida, $35.32, available this September 12) Authors Beck and Miner delve into the architectural history of Fort Myers, FL, from the winter estates of industrial giants such as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford to the vibrant neighborhoods surrounding and filled with examples of every major movement from Spanish to Mediterranean to Italian Renaissance and Colonial Revival. With stories from residents and owners, hear the history of Fort Myers’ architectural expansion from the dawn of the 20th century to today.

 

Landscapes of Modern Architecture: Wright, Mies, Neutra, Aalto, Barragán– Marc Treib (Yale University Press, $50.64) Pushing back against the accusation that modern architects show little concern for climate, topography and vegetation, Treib compiles an authoritative survey of 20th century architecture and the surrounding landscapes to show how site consideration remained a guiding principle. Centered on the works of five notable architects—Wright, van der Rohe, Neutra, Aalto and Barragán—rarely published archival drawings and plans accompany the author’s original photography.

 

Designing Detroit: Wirt Rowland and the Rise of Modern American Architecture– Michael G. Smith (Wayne State University Press, $39.40)An ode to the unsung hero of Detroit architecture, Wirt Rowland served as chief designer under the famed architect Albert Kahn and designed many of the city’s hallmark structures, such as the General Motors and First National Bank buildings. As modernism began to take shape, Smith argues it was Rowland who devised a wholly new design philosophy that eschewed elements from the past and focused on the project’s intended use. 

 

Modern Masters: Contemporary Architecture from Around the World– Steve Huyton (Schiffer Publishing, $50, available this September 28) Huyton revels in the architect’s engineering savvy in this showcase of more than 70 properties from some of the field’s most celebrated practitioners. A globe-trotting read, explore luxury properties around the world and see how challenging sites bring innovative solutions and the opportunity to experiment in space, volume and material.

 

Frank Lloyd Wright: Unpacking the Archive– Frank Lloyd Wright (Artist) (The Museum of Modern Art, $46.37) Created in conjunction with a major exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, this visual catalog celebrates the work of one of Modernism’s most prolific and renowned architects through a series of scholarly examinations by guest authors. With each chapter focusing on a single object from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, highlights range from Wright’s most attention-grabbing attempts (a mile-high skyscraper) to lesser-known projects such as the Rosenwald School.

 

The Last House: A Love Story About Architecture and Place  –Ron Haase (BookBaby, $19.95) Architect and author Ron Haase celebrates the singular nature of Florida architecture through this narrative about a husband and wife constructing four houses throughout their life together. With each house representing a particular style, Haase revels in how the distinct surroundings of the Florida landscape impact broader architectural movements, complete with architectural designs and pen-and-ink drawings from the author.

 

Classic Cracker: Florida’s Wood-Frame Architecture– Ronald W. Haase (Pineapple Press, $22.57) Winner of the 1993 LoPresti Award for excellence in art publishing, Haase focuses in on an architectural style inescapably tied to the Florida landscape and culture. Tracking the evolution of Florida Cracker architecture from the early homesteads and dogtrots to the four-square Georgians and townhouses, the author includes numerous floor plans to show the evolution of the style.

 

RE-USA: 20 American Stories of Adaptive Reuse: A Toolkit for Post-Industrial Cities– Matteo Robiglioe (JOVIS, $39.95, available this October 24) As the industrial boom of the 20th century wanes, an architectural legacy of abandoned factories, warehouses and docks looms in its wake. But while the original intention may be gone, many sit ripe for reuse and reclamation for any number of applications from research and education to sports and leisure. As major cities across the country embrace adaptive reuse with grassroots campaigns and municipal initiatives, Robiglio provides a handbook for future reclamation by studying practical examples already showing success.