TY - BOOK AU - Ronan,John AU - Mori,Toshiko TI - Explorations: the architecture of John Ronan. T2 - Graham Foundation/Princeton Architectural Press series : new voices in architecture SN - 9781568988764 AV - NA737.R594 A4 2010 U1 - 720.92 22 PY - 2010/// CY - New York PB - Princeton Architectural Press KW - Ronan, John KW - John Ronan Architects KW - Local KW - Architecture KW - United States KW - History KW - 20th century KW - 21st century N1 - Include Bibliography; Foreword / Toshiko Mori -- Interview with John Ronan by Robert McAnulty -- A Chicago Architect / Brad Lynch -- Contingency -- Coach House -- House on the edge of a forest -- Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School -- Concrete Townhouse -- Materiality -- Precast Chapel -- Adaptation -- Perth Amboy High School -- The Old Post Office -- House on the lake -- Gary Comer Youth Center -- Impermanence -- Yale Steam Laundry -- Urban Model High School -- Poetry Foundation -- N2 - In Chicago, there is a long history of celebrating architecture as a building art-not merely a graphic one-where lofty rhetoric takes a back seat to clear-headed pragmatism. John Ronan is a leading figure of a new generation of architects that are not only steeped in the grounded, rigorous, and self-critical Chicago tradition, but are also focused on design innovation. Ronan's decade-old practice has garnered critical praise and awards in recognition of its subtle integration of sustainable technology, spatial composition, and material detail. His beautifully simple spaces convey a recurring theme of adaptability and flexibility across multiple functions that, when activated by a specific use, do not deter from a holistic architectural intent. Explorations features twelve projects ranging in scale from private residences and adaptive renovations to large public buildings. John Ronan Architects' award-winning Gary Comer Youth Center was designed specifically to support the activities of Chicago's South Shore Drill Team; however, during the design process, the function of the space continued to evolve along with the client's goals, resulting in an architectural program that grew from a simple gym into a multifunctional space supporting a range of community and educational services. Explorations also features fully documented design processes for the recently completed Poetry Foundation in Chicago; the transformation of Washington, D.C.'s historic Yale Steam Laundry building into condominiums; the Urban Model High School, a new prototype school developed for the Public Building Commission of Chicago; and Precast Chapel, an economical concrete chapel for promoting interfaith dialogue and religious understanding. Explorations features a foreword by architectect Toshiko Mori; an essay by highly respected Chicago-based architect Brad Lynch; and an interview with John Ronan conducted by architectural historian Robert McAnulty ER -