Christopher Domin Publishes Book on Work of Judith Chafee
A major work of scholarship from SoA faculty member.
Associate Professor Christopher Domin and local architect Kathryn McGuire have published Powerhouse: The Life and Work of Judith Chafee (NY: Princeton Architectural Press, 2019), the story of Chaffee and her practice are devotedly chronicled and exquisitely recorded in photos by Bill Timmerman. This is a significant publication for CAPLA for three reasons:
- It is a major work of scholarship that documents the life and work of an important, but not widely known, female architect who contributed to the developing language of Modern Architecture in the Southwest;
- It is a major work of scholarship by one of our important faculty members, Christopher Domin, published by a preeminent press known for the highest standards architectural scholarship; and
- It is a major work of scholarship that records the practice contributions of one of this School’s legendary teachers, Judith Chafee.
Powerhouse received a positive review in Publishers Weekly, the first place booksellers and librarians go when looking for new books to order: "Architects Domin and McGuire provide an overdue examination of the life and career of architect Judith Chafee (1932–1998) in this rich monograph, chronologically revealing the evolution of her work....Insightful and illuminating, this illustrated volume serves as an excellent overview and analysis of the environmentally conscious Chafee and her innovative work."
Host Andrew Brown will talk with Domin and McGuire on the October 10th edition of Arizona Spotlight (scroll to minutes 11-19)
The book goes on sale October 8, but it can be pre-ordered now. Christopher will present a lecture in support of the book’s launch during Tucson Modernism Week on Saturday, October 12th at 1:30pm in the American Evangelical Church. There is also a self-guided home tour, including a rare chance to visit two of Judith Chafee’s designs, on Sunday between 9 am and 3 pm. Tickets for both events can be purchased here.
Next year, CAPLA will host an exhibit (Jan 21-Feb 5) and lecture (Jan 28) to recognize this accomplishment.
