Interior Design Magazine - Book Review by Stanley Abercrombie

books:

	• Art & Architecture: The Ebsworth Collection & Residence Dung Ngo and Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen William Stout Publishers, 2006 - 128 pages average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
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Interior Design Magazine - Book Review by Stanley Abercrombie

It's difficult enough, we all know, for a house's exterior and interior to appear unified. So when an entire house, its remarkable natural setting, and the owner's impressive art collection cohere in perfect harmony, that deserves a book. The subject here is the bay-front Seattle home of businessman Barney Ebsworth. The architecture is by Jim Olson of Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects; the quietly sympathetic interiors are by Terry Hunziker; and the landscape architecture is by Allworth Nussbaum. The result is a well integrated composition of concrete, limetone, and natural woods, with long enfilades leading to views of the splendid green setting. All work together to give a starring role to the art, part of which was shown at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. in 2000. As the book's editor, graphic designer Dung Ngo, says in his introduction, the owner can "dine with [Edward] Hopper and [Wayne] Thiebaud, read with [David] Hockney and [Alexander] calder, and bathe wih [Charles] Sheeler and [Ellsworth] Kelly."
Happily, this impressive design accomplishment extends to the book itself-the work of it's editor's Ngo Studio. The pages offer full-bleed images by Paul Warchol, among other photographers; a floor plan; and several detail drawings

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A harmony of equals: Nature, Artchitecture, and Art

Entrepreneur Barney Ebsworth who made his money in the travel industry took his company public and in 1999 began devoting his time to modern American art. He was able to acquire a site on Lake Washington near Seattle and had Jim Olson design a building to serve as both a residence and as a gallery to show his collection.

The house is almost as much of an art object as any of the art being exhibited. It is a spectacular design that reminds me greatly of some of Frank Lloyd Wright's best work. It fits into the setting perfectly looking almost as though nature had intended for it to be there. It consists of three pavilions connected by glass enclosed walkways (this is after all in Seattle), and in spite of its size (14,000 square feet) is has the look of a small cottage nestled in amongst the trees.

The art collection was begun with the idea of having twelve pieces, but the twelve best pieces that could be obtained. When a new piece was obtained, the rule was to get rid of a piece. Obviously that didn't last long and the collection now has about 200 pieces.

The book is also a masterpiece, beautiful photography, beautiful printing. As one comment from the book says, 'A harmony of equals: Nature, Artchitecture, and Art.'

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