Carlo Mollino. Architect and Storyteller
Beneath the black-and-white cover of this coffee-table book on the Italian architect Carlo Mollino (1905–1973) lies an impeccably researched archival publication that has been organised in a very approachable fashion. The biographical introduction and each of the six chapters on the different periods of his work begin with a page containing detailed picture captions. While this might appear puzzling at first glance, that puzzle is resolved by the picture sections which follow, consisting of 10 to 15 full-bleed photographs, that can now be read as a coherent story told through images. The individual projects are then presented chronologically with historical plans, models, photographs and texts, accompanied by brief academic descriptions. The extensive, largely unknown archive material always offers something new to discover, and the well-organised layout features numerous variations. The finely reproduced photographs and the combination of two different typefaces create some noise, but without the volume ever becoming excessive. The excellent rhythm and sequencing creates a dynamic narrative flow, appearing at times to reflect the energetic architectural forms of the photographed buildings.
