Jetsonen, Eero Saarinen - Public Buildings

Eero Saarinen (1910-1961) stands among the most celebrated architects of the modern era. Widely regarded as a visionary of his generation, he relentlessly pursued new forms of expression and embraced the legacy of his predecessors while boldly charting his own path. He explored countless alternatives in his quest to find the most powerful and meaningful solution. For Saarinen, every project was an opportunity to push boundaries, redefine expectations and explore the potential of materials and structures. This curiosity defined Saarinen's design process. Today, Eero Saarinen's legacy lives on as a symbol of bold thinking, uncompromising creativity, and a deep commitment to designing places that inspire and elevate the human experience. For him, every building had to function as a complete and harmonious whole, and his vision extended beyond individual buildings to the broader environment they inhabit. "The only architecture which interests me is architecture as a fine art. That is what I want to pursue. I hope that some of my buildings will have lasting truths. I admit frankly I would like a place in architectural history." - Eero Saarinen, 1952 Eero Saarinen Public Buildings brings together 24 buildings and sites. Saarinen's groundbreaking contribution to American corporate architecture, the GM Technical Center, continues to celebrate technical and functional innovations, as do the landmark complexes of IBM, John Deere & Co., and Bell Telephone Co. The importance of both place and identity is emphasised equally from the various buildings on university campuses to US embassy buildings abroad, and from large-scale monuments to a small-town bank building. The design of complex ensembles culminates in breathtaking airport terminals such as the TWA Flight Center in New York. The St. Louis Gateway Arch, the starting point of Saarinen's personal career and one of its last realisations, embodies his courage and creativity. Jari Jetsonen has contributed over 200 superb new full-colour photographs for this book. Combined with original drawings and archival images, they convey a vivid sense of each building's distinctive character. Sirkkaliisa Jetsonen's accompanying texts provide a wealth of information about the history and features of each project. The volume opens with a foreword by Danish architect Jan Utzon, who reflects on Eero Saarinen's significance to Jorn Utzon and their legacies.