California Moderne and the Mid-Century Dream: The Architecture of Edward H. Fickett Hardcover – September 23, 2014

Edward Fickett is an architect whose life’s work is significant far beyond public recognition. That is why this book is so valued and appreciated. It emotes the following response by the reader, the great manta of television icon “ 60 Minutes”: “ Gee, I didn’t know that”.Fickett had an extraordinarily productive career. In the Navy during World War II designed and built military facilities. Created plans for 60,000 homes, albeit not all custom homes; many tract homes. But therein lies his special contribution. His commissions were not necessarily for the high profile or landed gentry set. His work benefited the “ average American”. Particulary post World War II when there was fulfillment of the pent-up demand for housing.Consider that Edward Fickett had a broad-brush architectural portfolio: houses, LaCosta Hotels and Spa, airports, Dodger Stadium, the Port of Los Angeles, Edwards Air Force Base, community centers. Not many architects cover that wide range.Of all the great revelations brought forth, this remains the most memorable. Fickett “ opened” up the kitchen. Literally tore down walls such that the kitchen became not just a room, but a space. And, for the right reason, of course: his mother always preferred to be able to see what Fickett and his siblings were up to. Talk about practicality!!!Excellent book. Well-designed with superb graphics and engaging text. Like Edward Fickett’s work, this book is “ for all of us”.Robert Kotler, MD, FACS

In 1984 I flew to Cabo San Lucas when it was a back water city. This is not to disparage Cabo but is an accurate statement, considering that there was only one telephone in the entire city and that was located in the main square. This becomes meaningful when considering that Eddie Fickett, the designer of the tour de force , Gersten House, was required to order supplies and to execute change orders by flying to Guadalajara rather than relying on a telephone. I learned that the workforce at any one time exceeded 100 persons.After that trip I researched more about this exceptional architect and his works. Whereas his previous designs were linear and elegant in their simplicity, the breathtaking Gersten House was curvilinear and no less elegant. As I stepped into each room of the nearly completed residence, one was more overwhelming than the other and, of course, the architect sited each view overlooking the majestic Pacific Ocean.This long overdue book of Fickett's oeuvre was well worth the wait. And like so often happens, it is a pity that it was published posthumously.It is a must read for those who appreciate exceptional architecture.

I ordered extra copies of this book because I keep it in my office and people just love it. Sometimes I give them their own copy otherwise they would linger in my office all afternoon. Edward Fickett designed and created California icons that have influence generations. I became familiar with his work in the '70's because for a time, my father owned a Palm Springs, CA resort known at the Ocotillo Lodge which Mr. Fickett so eloquently designed. His architectural esthetic was as much a part of the enjoyment of staying there as was the gorgeous pool and surrounding desert landscape. There are so many other projects Mr. Fickett designed in addition to residences and commercial buildings for example the Edwards Air Force Base and Dodgers Stadium to name a few. It just blows my mind the scope of his work! His influences remain and important part of Southern California architecture and history. This book is well written and contains beautiful photographs. Puts me back to an exciting time of design and development of Los Angeles - wish I could have experienced it in person! You will enjoy this book may times over.

This is a beautiful book by an architectural genius! We lived in Beverly Hills across the street from a house that Edward Fickett designed for Diana Ross. We watched the house under construction and saw Mr. Fickett out there every morning checking on everything and talking with the contractor. I guess this is why he had the reputation of a 'hands on' architect. The finished house was absolutely magnificent. All "Fickett Homes" as well as his commercial buildings were astounding and visionary.We had also lived in a house designed by Edward Fickett in Beverly Hills. It was beautiful - one room flowed into the next and it was open, airy and state of the art yet warm and practical. Every detail of the house had been carefully thought out to make it easy for the homemaker and comfortable for the family.The body of Edward Fickett's work is enormous, his versatility rare and impressive and his creativity amazing. This is a book that everyone should have on their coffee table whether interested in Architecture or not!

I worked for Ed as a apprentice till I became an architect in the 80s. Ed was a great teacher : always full of life, stories, insights and out of the box thinking. I learned a lot about design, myself and modern architecture from hm. One of Ed's greatest strengths was his ability to work closely with client to create a program/plan that resulted in fresh and innovative design, that could stand the test of time. Customer relations are everything these days and Ed was a master at that as well. Thank you Ed Fickett - RIP- for coaching me, for being my friend and giving me the freedom to learn and become the designer I am today. This book captures the many sides of Ed's design work and the the depth and breadth of influence he had on Southern California architecture in the 20th century. His mix of early California indigenous details ( ie masonry, terracotta tiles, wood and adobe) into modern patterns was unique.

Bought this as a present for my partner for Christmas who absolutely loved it, and so did I. Very into my architecture but mainly just visiting buildings and looking at photos and this opened my eyes to a load of new building i'd never seen before. Good size and reasonably price. If this looks like your kind of thing, you will love it too.

excelente

Great Book! Not just for the Coffee-Table:Somehow one immidiatly starts planning his/her Dreamhouse while looking & reading!California at its best - re-built all over the World(... if you have the Place/Time/Money ...)!

Excelente libro