Architecture

Frankly, we do give a damn! Did it have to go? Read more.

• Guidelines for Historic Restoration
• Adaptive Reuse of Older Buildings
• Restoring Antebellum Architecture, like Scarlett O'Hara

^{Photo of entrance to the Ambassador Hotel, 2004, by David McNew/Getty Images ©2004 Getty Images}

Wang Shu and his wife, Lu Wenyu, founded Amateur Architecture Studio in 1997 in Hangzhou, China. A Western architect is unlikely to choose such a company name, but it's said that Shu's approach is much like an amateur builderâ€"one based on spontaneity, craft skills, and cultural traditions. "One problem of professional architecture," the 48-year-old Shu says on his website, "is, that it thinks too much of a building. I design a house instead of a building. The house is the amateur architecture approach to the infinitely spontaneous order."

Last year when the Pritzker ceremony venue was announced, many thought that the young Chinese architect may be on the short list. This year's ceremony will be held in Beijing, China on May 25, 2012.

Photo: Ceramic House, 2003-2006, Jinhua, China.
_{Photo © Lv Hengzhong / Amateur Architecture Studio, courtesy pritzkerprize.com.}

Read more about:

• Modern Architecture in Beijing China
• Architecture in China

Designed by the architecture firm Palmer and Krisel, the house was built by the prominent Palm Springs builder Robert Alexander, who lived there with his wife Helen. In 1962, Look magazine featured the Alexanders and their House of Tomorrow.

The Alexanders were tragically killed in a plane crash and in 1966 Elvis Presley rented it to use as a an occasional retreat. Elvis gave the Look Magazine House of Tomorrow some of the same off-beat decor he used at Graceland Mansion, his home in Tennessee. However, Elvis's House of Tomorrow remained true to the modernist ideas of the architects and builder.

Everyone needs a dream, and these luxury building plans will let you indulge your dream home fantasies. You'll find large estates with separate guest suites, servants' quarters, home entertainment rooms, pool houses, detached garages, and more. Are these luxury dream homes elegant and upscale... or are they wasteful "McMansions"? You be the judge.

1. Luxury Home Plans

From Home Planners, 150 plans for large, luxurious homes and estates in a variety of styles.

2. American Dream Homes

Also from Home Planners, this paperback has plans for 50 especially glamorous homes... the types of places where movie stars might live.

3. Luxury Homes and Lifestyles

Custom home builder Orren Pickell has compiled 80 color photos and drawings to illustrate ways to incorporate luxury details when you build or remodel.

Pritzker-prize winning architect Richard Rogers is known for grand yet transparent buildings with bright, light-filled spaces and flexible floor plans.

Lloyd's of London by Richard Rogers Partnership: Section through the atrium

Courtesy Richard Rogers Partnership

Famous for his bridges and train stations, Spanish modernist Santiago Calatrava combines artistry with engineering. His graceful, organic structures have been compared to the works of Antonio Gaudí.

Born:

July 28, 1951 in Valencia, Spain

Education:

Important Projects:

Proposed and Under Construction:

Important Awards:

More About Santiago Calatrava:

Buildings by Frank Gehry >>

^{Photo of Frank Gehry, designer of The World Cup of Hockey trophy, holding the trophy, 2004, © Dave Sandford / WCoH via Getty Images.}