The purpose of this book is to capture, iconographically and analytically, the haunting character of the civic spaces created in the American South during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. To this end, eight civic rooms were photographed, measured and drawn to scale. The drawings and photos stress the unity between nature, architecture and the resultant civic dimension. Together they represent different archetypes and speak of the relationship between a civilized landscape and the built artifacts housing the institutions necessary for life. This work is a collaborative effort between Jorge Hernandez, Architect and Professor, and Carlos Domenech, Photographer. With the assistance of numerous students, they have documented a collection of "Urban Rooms" that exemplify "The Civic Landscape of the Historic South". The portraits created are composed of photographs which record the tactile presence of each space and an illustrative drawing that demonstrates the architectural elements of the spaces.

• Introduction by Vincent Scully
• Text by Jorge L. Hernández
• Photography by Carlos Domenech

Contributors Biographies

Carlos Domenech is an architectural and fine art photographer whose body of work extends from international book and magazine publications to exhibitions in museums and galleries, and his work has been acquired by numerous private and museum collections. His architectural photography has been commissioned by clients throughout the U.S. and South America, including museums publishing catalogs for international exhibitions. His fine art photography has been installed in numerous commercial and private venues. Mr. Domenech lives in Miami and travels on assignments throughout Europe, Asia, and South America.

Jorge L. Hernandez is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Miami specializing in urban history, theory and design. His residential work has been published globally, and he has been awarded numerous prizes. He is the architect of the Brickell Bridge in Miami, Florida; The Williamsburg James City County Court House in Williamsburg, Virginia and other civic projects.

Vincent Scully is the most important interpreter of art and architecture of our times. For sixty-one years he has inspired generations of students with his unique style of “lecture performance” and his original and penetratingly analytical vision of art, architecture, landscape, urbanism, cultural heritage and the human spirit. Having taught, trained and mentored many of today’s most important art historians, artists, architects, preservationists and critics, his influence is unquestionable. He is a Sterling Professor (emeritus since 1991), Yale’s highest academic appointment. Today, Scully continues to inspire students at Yale, where he lectures to as many as 500 students every fall, and at the University of Miami where he teaches each spring. His 61-year tenure at Yale University as a distinguished Professor of the History of Art is unprecedented.