Building Stata

This stunning, lavishly illustrated book chronicles the entire planning andconstruction process of the Frank Gehry-designed Ray and Maria Stata Center at MIT. Taking us fromthe historical background and architectural context at MIT through the interaction of the clients'needs and the architect's vision to the choice of building materials and construction methods,Building Stata offers a uniquely detailed look at the evolution of a major work by a masterarchitect.The purpose of the Stata Center is to bring the "intelligence sciences"--computer science,artificial intelligence, information and decision systems, linguistics, and philosophy--togetherinto a space that emphasizes research-focused collaboration. Frank Gehry's design integratesflexible and interconnected workspaces and incorporates a series of steps from public to privatespace, with places for social and intellectual interaction on lower levels giving way to space forstudy and contemplation on the upper floors; thus a two-level warehouse-like space is topped by twotowers. The Center is wrapped around a series of outdoor terraces visible from a central court inboth towers. The characteristic Gehry curves are clad in metal, the more block-like elements inbrick.The architectural drawings and photographs -- 300 of them in color -- in Building Statadocument the making of the Stata Center from concept to concrete reality. The photographs by RichardSobol portray a work in progress, evoking the beauty of its architectural form and capturing thetelling detail -- the building's sculptured shape against a clear blue sky, or construction workersperched on a massive curve of metal.

Richard Sobol is a Boston-based photographer whose work has appeared in National Geographic, Time, Newsweek, Outside, and many other publications.