UI Press | A. Richard Williams, FAIA | Archipelago: Critiques of Contemporary Architecture and Education

Archipelago

Critiques of Contemporary Architecture and Education

Reflections of one architect's uniquely engaged life

Archipelago is A. Richard Williams's summation of his life in architecture, enriched by his reflections on all that architecture has meant to him. Looking back on a career spanning seven decades as an architect and educator, not only does Williams discuss his personal achievements with design, materials, and sites, but he contemplates the importance of friendships, the lessons of heroes, the inspiration of universities, and the revelations of travel. His affection for diverse locales reveals a heart ever open to appreciating the wonders of oceans and deserts, great cities and remote cabins, churches and libraries, forests and stone.

"This book, Archipelago, streams in an irresistible flow of confidence yet it is barely a documentation of the work of an architect or of his teachings. It is a chart of islands of thought, linking their interconnections and discovering constellations of meaning from everyday life and aspects of human existence and ultimately offers courses of navigation in the various channels of architecture."--Rick Joy, AIA, from the book's foreword

A. Richard Williams has taught architecture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Arizona. His many honors include an AIA Honor Award for his design of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's College of Education building and the Illinois Medal from the University of Illinois School of Architecture.