Witold Rybczynski takes us on an extraordinary odyssey as he tells the story of designing and building his own house. His project began as a workshed, but through a series of “happy accidents,” the structure gradually evolved into a full-fledged house.
In tracing this evolution, he touches on matters both theoretical and practical, writing on such diverse topics as the ritualistic origins of the elements of classical architecture and the connections between dress and habitation. He discusses feng-shui and considers the theories of such architects as Palladio, Le Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright.
An eloquent examination of the links between being and building, The Most Beautiful House in the World offers insights into the joys of “installing ourselves in a place, of establishing a spot where it would be safe to dream.”
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"Rybczynski writes clearly and well about stuff and what it means. By focusing on the little house he builds he can expound on a lot of issues related to building." — Kaethe (5 out of 5 stars)
"Rybczynski writes clearly and well about stuff and what it means. By focusing on the little house he builds he can expound on a lot of issues related to building."
" Very interesting and informative. Not what I expected at all; not much of a "story". More an interesting study on architecture formed around a personal experience by the author. I enjoyed it. "
" "Susan, I think you and Pat will find this book very interesting. Love, Mom" "
" Very good, I look forward to borrowing his other books from Ben. "
" My first experience of Rybczynski. I have enjoyed everything of his that I have read. I appreciate very much his idea of creating one's own perfect environment. "
" Wonderfully written, as if he's your own tour guide and you're in the house with him. "
" This is the first Rybczynski book I read. I liked him right away. "
" I love his writing. Searching for a writer who writes about landscape like he writes about architecture. "
" I enjoyed listening to the ramblings of an architect. His ideas about working with one's hands resonated with some of my recent thoughts. "
" Read this book if you are thinking about building your own house. "
" An architect builds his own house & through the design process realizes that the humblest to the grandest edifice have common properties "
Witold Rybczynski has written about architecture for the New York Times, Time, Atlantic, the New Yorker, and Slate, and is the author of the award-winning A Clearing in the Distance. He is the recipient of the National Building Museum’s 2007 Vincent Scully Prize. He lives with his wife in Philadelphia, where he teaches at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design.
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.
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