Architecture at the Library

Every house, every restaurant, and every gas station is a work of art. It’s easy to forget that; our daily environment tends to fade into the background until something fantastic comes along and blindsides you. I’m an architecture nerd, so I try to find something special in every building I see. Those little details that make a place stand out, no matter how mundane, were created by somebody.

In “Islamesque: The Forgotten Craftsmen Who Built Europe’s Medieval Monuments” (723 Darke), Diana Darke highlights the innovations of Muslim artisans in pre-Gothic European architecture. “Saving Notre Dame” (DVD 726.6 Sav) documents modern engineers’ efforts to preserve the centuries-old cathedral following the fire in 2019. Closer to home, you can celebrate the architectural achievements of “Indiana Landmarks Rescued & Restored” (720.9772 Ind) in beautiful before-and-after photos.

Love architectural history? Join us next month on Thursday, August 7, in the Donnelley Room for a special event! Author James A. Glass, Ph.D., will be discussing his work “Architecture in Indianapolis” volumes I and II, covering history from 1820 to 1920. The talk will begin at 6:30 PM and last one hour, consisting of a presentation and a Q&A session. Books will be available for purchase by cash or check. Each volume is $60.

If you’re looking to craft your own home, “The Visual Handbook of Building and Remodeling: A Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Right Materials and Systems for Every Part of Your Home” by Charles Wing (690.8 Wing) is a thorough and accessible reference for essential decisions you may not have considered. Kate Bigalk offers advice on tailoring a home to meet your needs throughout your life in “Aging in Place: Using Universal Design” (305.26 Bigalk), and Sheri Koones’ “Bigger Than Tiny, Smaller Than Average” (728 Koo) discusses the recent trend towards small, affordable, eco-friendly houses.

In the mystery genre, every mansion has secret passageways. Who builds those? Explore the point of view of the construction company in “Under Lock & Skeleton Key” (FIC Pandian Secret v.1), the first Secret Staircase Mystery by Gigi Pandian. The architect Charles Belfoure’s debut novel, “The Paris Architect”, follows a reluctant hero as he crafts hiding spaces for Jewish people during the Holocaust. A revolutionary new skyscraper, a fatal design flaw, and a storm on the horizon: Pedro Torrijos’ “La Tormenta de Cristal” (SPA FIC Torrijos) is a Spanish language thriller about the 1978 Citicorp Center engineering crisis.

Find these books and more currently on display on the second floor of the library through the end of July. Check out what’s happening on our website’s calendar or call us at 765-362-2242. The library is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.