Ralph Johnson

Architect Ralph Johnson’s work spans a magnificent range of award-winning projects in terms of both location and program types. Ralph Johnson: Architecture in a Rapidly Changing World is a comprehensive two-volume monograph showcasing Johnson’s work—both built and unbuilt—from throughout his career, beginning at architecture school and culminating with his role as Principal and Global Design Director at Perkins&Will.
Volume 1 – Creative Journey opens with an introductory essay by Ned Cramer, and features Johnson’s highly detailed sketches and drawings from a selection of his projects from 1971 through 2012. Volume 2 – Recent Work presents 15 of Johnson’s projects with Perkins&Will from 2012 to 2024. An interview between Cramer and Johnson explores the architect’s design philosophy, and an essay by Thomas Fisher delves deeper into Johnson’s work. These recent projects are illustrated with photography, site plans, and drawings, and accompanied by insightful narratives. Varying in typology and location, the projects include Shanghai Nature Museum, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, Northtown Library and Housing, and CTA Damen Green Line Station, among others.
The significance of these projects is underpinned by Johnson’s deep-held respect for humanistic values, and his emphasis on process, rather than preconceived product, which allows him to respond to diverse cultures and urban conditions. This distinguished monograph is a comprehensive account of Johnson’s enduring career and his impressive folio of work. It sits comfortably in the heady realm of Images’ highly regarded 21st Century Masters series, which celebrates international juggernauts in the fields of architecture and design