In/Formed by the Land: The Architecture of Carl Abbott

Abbott's work has a timeless modern quality, yet is also strongly informed by his experience
of the sacred architecture of ancient Egyptians and Maya in the manner in which it
responds to the land and the movement of the sun and stars. The spaces Abbott sculpts,
both inside out, are designed to focus on Nature, making buildings that transcend.
This book tells the unique story of Carl Abbott from his youth in the 'low-country' of Georgia
to his acceptance to Graduate School at Yale University. At Yale, Abbott would study under
professor Paul Rudolph, and would lead classmates and future Lords Richard Rogers and
Norman Foster on a pilgrimage west to experience the work of American Master Frank Lloyd
Wright.
Large images give viewers a strong sense of experiencing the humanistic Architecture with
its connection to the land. The book also illustrates the design process Abbott has
developed by which the building forms evolve from the land itself. Working closely with
photographers and designers, the architect was careful in the planning of this book to
ensure it conveyed the experience of moving through the highly choreographed spaces he
designed. This book presents works, which span the decades of his career, and shows a
range of works including affordable residences, large private estates, as well as inspired
spiritual spaces.
Abbott's buildings are made of wave-like curves, dramatic angular forms, and stepped planes
to enhance the way one experiences nature and its play of light. His buildings, like a
seashell, are made of a solid protective side and a side which opens to the light. The spaces
are intentionally designed not just for looking out at the beauty of nature but for bringing
nature and its dancing qualities into the spaces, creating a unique synthesis of man and
environment.

The work of Florida based architect Carl Abbott melds his interests in ancient design concepts, sculptural forms and the ever-changing dance of light and nature. Having grown up in the rural ’low-country’ of Georgia, Abbott gained a deep respect for the environment, which has influenced his life’s work. He feels deeply that landscapes and light shape people, and he has mastered a unique way of bringing them both into our spaces and our lives.
After receiving his undergraduate degree, with honors from the University of Florida, with studies under Buckminster Fuller, Abbott went on to Master’s studies under Paul Rudolph and Louis Kahn at Yale. Later, he started his own firm in 1966 Sarasota becoming part of Rudolph’s Sarasota School of Architecture, which was revolutionary in its way of working with the land, sun, and breezes. Earlier in his career Abbott worked in Hawaii, in New York with I.M. Pei, and in London with Yale classmates Norman Foster and Richard Rogers. He has intentionally kept his firm small to allow for close personal involvement in each project.
Abbott was elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and is one of the most highly awarded architects in the AIA Florida / Caribbean Region. Among his recognitions is the Medal of Honor for Design, which is the highest design award given, the Architectural Firm Award, and a number of ’Test of Time’ Awards. The University of Florida awarded him their Distinguished Alumni Award. He has lectured throughout the US and Europe, and has taught at many universities including the University of Florida, Harvard and Yale. He has had several projects named ’Record Houses’ by Architectural Record and his work has been featured in numerous international publications. In/Formed by the Land is the first book exclusively on Abbott’s design process and architecture.

Lord Norman Foster is recognized as one of the most innovative architects of our time. He has received the Pritzker Prize, the RIBA Gold Medal, the Stirling Prize, and the Gold Medal from the AIA along with numerous other awards. He teaches and lectures widely. Some of his best known projects are the Hearst Tower in New York, the Great Court in the British Museum, the Hong Kong and Beijing Airports. Soon to be constructed is the Apple Headquarters in California designed by Foster.
Lord Richard Rogers has made a major impact on contemporary architecture and urbanism. He has received the Pritzker Prize, the RIBA Gold Medal, and the Stirling Prize along with numerous other awards. He teaches and lectures widely, and has written numerous books on architecture and urbanism. Rogers is best known for his work on the Pompidou Center in Paris, Lloyds of London, the Millennium Dome in England, Court of Human Rights Strasbourg and the Madrid-Barajars Airport.
Michael Sorkin is a widely recognized architectural critic and award winning architect. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He teaches and lectures internationally and is Director of the Graduate Urban Design Program at City College of New York. Sorkin has acted as contributing editor to Architectural Record, the Village Voice, I.D. and Metropolis among others. He has written many seminal books on architecture and urbanism.
Peter Bohlin FAIA received the Gold Medal from the AIA. His architecture has received numerous national and international awards and recognitions. He is a founding principal of the Bohlin Cywinski Jackson firm which received the Firm Award from the American Institute of Architects. Bohlin has taught and lectured widely. Some of his best known projects are the Grand Teton National Park Center, Seattle City Hall, Pixar Headquarters California and Apple’s iconic glass cube in NYC.