John Portman: Form

(Hardback)

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Description

Internationally recognised as an architect, real estate developer and entrepreneur, John Portman's personal commitment to the integration of art and architecture was evident from the start. His first commission was the renovation of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Building on which he envisioned affixing a contemporary metal sculpture to an eagle. The client liked the idea, but was unwilling to finance the art. So Portman invested his own money for the sculpture and, thus, began incorporating art as an integral part of his work, including designing lighting fixtures, hardware, and furniture, and eventually channelling his creativity into painting and sculpture. His interests - the love of nature, the merging of opposite forces, the study of human responses - are as central to Portman's artwork as they are to his architecture.

Author Bio

John Portman earned his degree in Architecture from Georgia Institute of Technology. Portman pioneered the role of Architect-as-Developer by financing, owning, managing and designing major building projects throughout the world. His practice is rooted in the desire to understand and shape the aesthetic as well as the economic dimensions of the urban environment. This innovative approach has generated a prolific body of work. Portman is best known for his urban mixed-use complexes wherein his understanding of people and their response to space translates into enhanced environments. He is the winner of numerous awards in the field of architecture and has also been recognised for his contributions to the world of art.