The Surreal Visions of Hernán Díaz Alonso/HDA-X

Since graduating from Columbia’s School of Architecture and a stint working for Peter Eisenman, one of the world’s most forward-thinking practitioners and thinkers, Argentinian-born Hernán Díaz Alonso has developed an arresting architectural language that has attracted leading institutions and a worldwide student following, as well as the respect of his peers, since he established his studio in Los Angeles in 2001. His competition-winning design for New York’s MoMA PS1 in 2005 was a global sensation. Although very active in the digital space, Díaz Alonso’s work is not often seen in print. This is the first major publication to collect the wide range of his oeuvre, much of it in his signature surrealist style, from large-scale museum competitions and landscape schemes to furniture and silverware. Taken as a whole, it is unquestionably the work of a visionary designer at the height of his abilities. Alongside exquisite renderings that push the boundaries of possibility are detailed plans and drawings revealing just how real these buildings could be. Not often in a generation does an architect emerge with such startling visions of how our cities might be transformed. This transfixing publication offers truly exciting propositions for a radical new world.