NEW from ACC Art Books – Limited Edition: Sukita: EternityClick here to order

When most people think of Minneapolis and St. Paul, they think of frigid winters and thousands of lakes. So most people who come explore the Twin Cities are in for a surprise. The truth is that this metropolis is where history, the arts and world cultures combine to create a dynamic community that is constantly reinventing itself. Bonded by the Mississippi River and studded with lakes, creeks, and waterfalls, this Midwestern destination is a place where nature meets the city with a flair unmatched by any other urban area in the United States.
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are packed with secrets and adventures. Visit the sites of St. Paul’s nefarious mobster past or paddleboard down a hidden canal that looks like a Monet landscape. Take in a show at the Minneapolis theater where Prince played his first solo gig, ski on a lake decorated with ice luminaries, and sample lefse and lingonberries in a Norwegian market. Discover 111 places in the Twin Cities that will amaze and delight you, whether it’s your first visit or fifteenth, or you are a native daughter or son who is lucky enough to call this land of sky-blue waters your home.

This sumptuous book showcases, through beautiful photography, 18 new residential houses and apartments. Each one is gifted with breathtaking sea views.

Features projects from all over the world, including Spain, Greece, New Zealand, Belgium, the USA, Denmark, Ibiza, and South Africa.

New York City has 700,000 street trees. These trees are asked to work harder than others, doing more with less. They provide shade, absorb stormwater, create microclimates, and dampen loud urban sounds. Like still lifes, they symbolize larger ideas and profound histories. The New York City Street Tree Tarot deck can be used like any other tarot deck. However, users are encouraged to interpret the cards in their own way as they read the accompanying texts and guide words. This allows them to develop new patterns and ways of interacting with the iconography.

The City of London is a special place; presently associated with business and high-level finance in particular. It is a frenetic, changing cityscape but despite the bluster it retains evidence of a fascinating history and a wealth of sumptuous architectural detail. The Vernacular of Money: Classical Architecture in the City of London documents and illustrates this wealth of institutional and commercial buildings that draw inspiration from Classical architectural canon, reinterpreting and adapting it to coeval requirements.

From graceful livery halls like the Goldsmiths’, to palatial Edwardian insurance offices to decorous official buildings like the Mansion House and Royal Exchange, the buildings documented here are unified not only geographically and culturally but also by the use of a common ‘vocabulary’ — the Classical architectural language that has influenced Western architectural discourse for the better part of two and a half millennia.

The volume is aimed both at as a reference work of architectural history and as a general interest book for the large community of present and past City of London workers and residents.

“I have an old camera with which I have taken countless photographs of myself. It often produces astonishing effects”, Edvard Munch states in a 1930 interview. “Someday when I am old and have nothing better to do than work on an autobiography, all my photographic self-portraits will see the light of day again.” The autobiography was never realized, but the self-portraits have found their way to the pages of The Experimental Self. The Photography of Edvard Munch, which demonstrates the fundamentally experimental nature of the artist’s photographic practice. As a photographer, Munch embraced the freedom provided by the amateur position, and the unpredictable aspects of analogue photographic technology. By playfully approaching his own image in picture after picture, Munch extends his explorations of selfhood in other media through photography. The resulting photographs provide unique access to Munch’s radical artistic vision, which this book studies through eminent essays by Patricia G. Berman, Tom Gunning and MaryClaire Pappas.

“Travelling from your couch, it is possible with the book. You will get an overview of different types of cottage accommodations, from small weekend houses to lavishly decorated summer villas and modern cottages.” — Elle Decoration Belgium

The Design of Retreat explores different types of outdoor retreats designed by and owned by leading names in the interior design world. From contemporary cabins, modern cottages and minimal vacation homes to sumptuously decorated summer villas with a flair for drama. In The Design of Retreat, they stand side by side with seaside Italian palazzos and tropical hideaways in the Mexican jungle. The wonderfully colorful homes, playful weekend cottages, innovative farmhouses and historic mansions will take you around the world. Relax and get away.

The World’s Best Beaches takes you to 200 breathtaking beaches scattered across the globe. This book is a true tribute to the most beautiful coastlines, where every beach lover can find their paradise. From pristine, pearl-white sands in the tropics to dramatic cliffs along rugged shores, these carefully selected destinations are all worthy of your bucket list. Be inspired by gorgeous photos that make you dream of your next beach adventure, and plan your trip with the practical information provided. This book is a must-have for anyone who loves sun, sea, and sand.

Step into the captivating world of Chanel, where heritage, reinvention, and effortless chic intertwine in a story of timeless allure. This expanded volume guides you through the legendary house of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, exploring its journey from a trailblazing atelier to a global symbol of modern elegance.

Uncover the tales behind Chanel’s most iconic creations—from the little black dress and the classic tweed jacket to the legendary No. 5 fragrance—and the unforgettable women who made them iconic, from Marilyn Monroe and Jackie Kennedy to contemporary muses like Keira Knightley and Kristen Stewart.

Trace the evolution of Chanel’s creative vision, from Coco’s revolutionary designs that liberated women to the innovative interpretations of Karl Lagerfeld and today’s forward-thinking creative directors. With exclusive photographs and fresh perspectives, this book reveals the captivating world of Chanel and its lasting influence on fashion and culture.

Also available is ISBN 9788794190589 The Essence of Chanel.

Atlas of the New World is a visionary photographic project by Giulia Piermartiri and Edoardo Delille that merges documentary rigor with speculative imagination. Projecting future climate scenarios onto present-day landscapes using analog photography techniques, the book creates a compelling visual atlas of a planet in transformation. Each image overlays real places with ghostly visions of the world to come: flooded cities, vanished glaciers, scorched forests. Scientific data meets poetic insight as the work explores six geographies deeply affected by the climate crisis—from the vanishing Maldives to the scorched forests of Russia and California, the disappearing glaciers of Mont Blanc, and the flooded river basins of China.

Accompanied by texts from scientists and writers, the book invites us to see what is not yet visible: a future already seeded in our present. Atlas of the New World is both warning and proposition—a lyrical cartography of climate collapse and an urgent call for imaginative resilience.

In the middle of Tivoli Gardens, beneath a canopy of lanterns and reflections from the lake, stands one of Copenhagen’s most iconic buildings — The Japanese Pagoda. Once a symbol of amusement and light, it has in recent years become a beacon of culinary excellence. Over the past five years, twenty-five Michelin-starred restaurants and chefs from all over the world have brought their artistry to The Pagoda — each for a shorter period, each re-imagining the space through their own vision of fine dining.

The Pagoda tells this story through text, photography, recipes, and behind-the-scenes insights, capturing how chefs transform architecture and atmosphere into edible experience. Alongside menu creation, craftsmanship, and the history of Tivoli’s gastronomy, the book unfolds a dialogue between past and present — between playful nostalgia and modern precision. A tribute to creativity, collaboration, and culinary ambition, The Pagoda celebrates the meeting of taste and tradition in the most magical corner of Copenhagen.

Good food brings harmony to ones’ body, mind and soul. Keeping this in mind, the recipes in The Ayurvedic Cookbook
are tailor-made to suit different body types. They are pure vegetarian, nutritious recipes with therapeutic values. If cooked with love and attention, the recipes can be wholesome, tasty and hearty. The book offers recipes that are simple, fresh, organic and easily digestible. These recipes are effective in keeping the body healthy and disease free. For the first time, the secret weight management/loss recipes of Kairali – the Ayurvedic Healing Village – are revealed. To make the herbal diet easy-to-understand and follow, a two-week chart is provided as ready reckoner. If followed correctly, you can get healthy and fit in just two weeks! The informative section on nutritional and medicinal values of fruits and vegetables and spices makes this a comprehensive introduction to eating the Ayurvedic way. The Ayurvedic Cookbook is a must buy for anyone who wants to live healthy and eat healthy.

This delightful manuscript, published in facsimile, was composed around 1585 by a clergyman in a bid for the patronage of an Elizabethan magnate, Sir John Petre. Modeled on printed writing books, German and French, it presents a profusion of scripts, accompanying decorated capital letters from A to Z. Its texts are eloquent on the value of learning. All is transcribed in print and, when needed, translated, including poems in English and Latin in which Amos Lewis, the creator, presses his case, reinforced by colorful Petre heraldry. The commentary unravels the Alphabet Book’s precursors and analyzes its ingredients, including a lively range of ornament. The first writing book published in London, in 1570, was by a Frenchman, Jean de Beau Chesne. Lewis’s manuscript is the first attempt at an original writing book by an Englishman. This signal rarity, virtually unknown hitherto, is a window into handwriting and education in the age of Shakespeare.

The Homes that Shaped Us is the first monograph on the work by Park + Associates, showcasing a selection of the renowned Singaporean firm’s award-winning houses. Singapore’s residential architectural scene is notable for blending futuristic design with sustainable practices and cultural influences. For over 25 years, Park + Associates has been quietly earning praise and plaudits for designing houses that stand out for their architectural innovation, yet which are very much designed as family homes. The studio’s bespoke designs respond to context, lifestyle, and the client’s own ideas. The firm is noted for designing for the tropical climate of Singapore, with emphasis on natural light, cooling effects of water and including beautiful green spaces. The houses showcased in this stunning monograph document the evolution of the firm since its inception in 1999, provide valuable insight into its work, and reflect the joy the Park + Associates team finds in designing homes. Each project is illustrated with beautiful photography and detailed floor plans and elevations. This book is a valuable and inspirational resource for anyone interested in architecture and design, with particular reference to tropical climates and modern contemporary comfort.

The American House is an exceedingly diverse collection of contemporary residential designs in the United States. This book follows the successful title European House, likewise a gorgeous collection of new residential architecture. The American House contains cutting-edge residential designs by leading architects from across the United States. Stunning color photographs and plans underline the sensitivity of today’s architects to the natural environment, as well as the care and attention paid to interior design and everyday living. This new volume features an extraordinary variety in style, sophistication, affordability, site and landscape, with an emphasis on sustainability practices in both design and construction. Each project illustrates how architects adapt their signature styles to accommodate the challenges posed by local topography and variations in climate, along with a sharp focus on optimum strategies for sustainable living. A lively introduction by critic Ian Volner comments on the many trends, often contradictory, that characterize the architecture of houses in the 2010s. In its sweeping scope, this book considers the present and points to the future of residential design in the United States.

“The well-judged employment of classical detail in a new home has an additional significance that cannot be underestimated. It is an expression of an informed personal choice and an evocation of the delight in the human senses. This is true of all the houses featured in this book.” Jeremy Musson
“The architects and craftsmen that Phillip has featured in this wonderful book all have a love for classical detail. The art is alive and well, as can be attested to in these pages.” David Easton
In The Art of Classical Details, Phillip James Dodd takes a close-up look at some of the finest examples of contemporary classical architecture. The book consists of two chapters: The Essays and The Projects. Starting with a foreword by renowned decorator David Easton, The Essays are written by some of today’s most sought after architects, scholars and craftsmen. Accompanied by sumptuous full page photographs and renderings that illustrate a use of fine materials, intricate detailing, and superb artisanship, these insightful texts are essential reading for anyone with an interest in the theory, practice and craft of classical design. The Projects presents an illustrated look at 25 of today’s finest classically-designed homes. Employing the theories prescribed in the writings of the first chapter, this portfolio of contemporary buildings exhibits the work of some of the most recognizable and celebrated architects in Great Britain and the United States. The work featured in within this book demonstrates the timeless beauty of classicism, and delights in the role that superbly crafted details play in creating art.

The scholarly journal produced by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) is now in its tenth issue and continues to serve as an inspiration for professionals, academics, and enthusiasts alike. This volume is richly illustrated with drawings, photographs, renderings, watercolors, and details in full color. Essays include contributions by Jana Vandergoot on the traditions of ‘urban food’ in Rome and Paul Gunther on the stunning work produced by the ICAA’s Beaux-Arts Atelier and Grand Central Academy of Art. The work of other schools is also represented through student portfolios from the University of Bologna, Notre Dame, Yale, Judson, Miami, the American College of Building Arts, and The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community. A wide range of professional work from across the country is featured in the “From the Offices” portfolio, reflecting regional application of traditional and classical forms. Also available: The Classicist No.9 ISBN: 9780964260139

The Classicist is an annual peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing the mission of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art by providing a venue for scholarship related to the classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts, a forum for current classical practice, and a source of information and inspiration for students, practitioners, teachers, patrons, and lovers of classical art and architecture. Volume 11 will feature scholarly essays dealing with historical practice, international portfolios of current work by professionals and students, and book reviews. The content ranges from urban design to individual buildings, to decorative arts and gardens. The journal is extensively illustrated, with many images in color, and will appeal to specialists and non-specialists alike. Contents:The Classicist at Large (editorial); Essays; Professional Portfolio; Academic Portfolio; Book Reviews

This book, edited by the designer of Shanghai Astronomy Museum, Ennead Architects LLP, is an all-round record of the design and construction process of Shanghai Astronomy Museum, with a foreword written by Ye Shuhua—an astronomer and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a preface by Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. The main part of the book unfolds from four perspectives: site, concept, realization, and engineering and construction, which describes the process of generating the core form of the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, as well as the design ingenuity of the main functional areas inside. The book presents many beautiful images of the museum, and includes texts by the chief designer, Thomas J. Wong. The designers’ love for the universe and their great enthusiasm for the project contribute to the essence of this book.

Text in English and Chinese.

“It is fortunate that a scholar with Professor Abbi’s tenacity, as well as her scientific credentials, was available and willing to conduct this work… The volume is a superb introduction for the layperson to the wonderful world that Professor Abbi has opened up for us.” – Bernard Comrie, Santa Barbara, California.

“For two decades now, Abbi has marshalled the full intellectual and strategic weight of her training, disciplinary expertise and socio-cultural capital to document, preserve and share with the world the voices, songs, stories and laughter of the Great Andamanese.” – Mark Turin, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

The Andaman Islands — Great Andaman, Little Andaman, and North Sentinel Islands have been home for milleniums to four tribes: the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and Sentinelese. Their languages are known by the same name as that of the tribes. ‘Great Andamanese’ is a generic term representing ten languages among a family of languages that were once spoken by ten different tribes living in the north, south, and middle of the Great Andaman Islands. These languages were mutually intelligible like a link in a chain.

However, today, Great Andamanese is a moribund language of the only-surviving pre-Neolithic tribe, breathing its last breath. When a language is on the verge of extinction, its history, culture, ecological base, knowledge of the biodiversity, ethno-linguistic practices, and the identity of its community — everything is endangered. This is what prompted Prof. Anvita Abbi to conduct a research study to give life to the lost oral heritage of the vanishing world of the Great Andamanese.

Voices from the Lost Horizon is a collection of a number of folk tales and songs of the Great Andamanese. These stories and songs represent the first-ever collection rendered to the Prof. Abbi and her team by the Great Andamanese people in local settings. The compilation comes with audio and video recordings of the stories and songs to retain the originality and orality of the narratives. 

In the past ten years, Swedish floral designer Per Benjamin developed his own color theory. The World of Colour according to Per Benjamin is an educational-entertaining-inspirational book where his color theory is explained in text, but above all presented in a very creative, visual ‘hands on’ style in beautiful pictures and colour charts. The photos are a mixture of studio works, outdoor pieces and bigger event designs (such as the Nobel Prize award ceremonies) and show both small and extra large arrangements. All of the pictures included illustrate how it is possible to extract color tones from a material both in theory and in practice.

South Africa is the eighth largest wine-producer in the world and its wine industry is among the oldest of the New World. Today it is one of the globe’s most dynamic industries, compact but diverse. In the past decade a new generation of winemakers has breathed life into centuries-old estates and new, boutique brands alike. The Wines of South Africa begins by introducing readers to the history of South African wine, starting with the arrival of the Dutch and the establishment of what would become Cape Town. Clarke then analyses South Africa’s industry today including the geological, geographical, and climatic conditions that create the parameters and potential of South African wine. He describes the major grape varieties and wine styles and outlines the broad range of wines being produced. The book the current infrastructure of the industry paying particular attention to the role of Black and coloured people in the wine industry since the end of apartheid. Key challenges facing the industry are explored, including profitability and the loss of vineyards as farmers switch to higher-margin orchards; environmental concerns, the effects of climate change, and water conservation; and the legacy of apartheid and continued imbalances in the socioeconomic structure of the Western Cape. The major growing areas of South Africa are described in turn, including an explanation of the Wine of Origin scheme, and the most important producers operating in each one.

Despite some field research our knowledge of the sacred among the Mumuye is still embryonic. In all these acephalic groups of a binary and antinomic nature, the complex va constitutes an extremely varied semantic field in which certain aspects are accentuated depending on the circumstances. Religious power is linked to the strength contained in sacred objects, of which only the elders are the guardians. Moreover, this gerontocracy relies on a system of initiatory stages which one must pass to have access to the status of ‘religious leader’. Geographically isolated, the Mumuye were able to resist the attacks of the Muslim invaders, the British colonial authority and the activities of the different Christian missions for a long time. As a result the Mumuye practised woodcarving until the beginning of our century. In 1970 Philip Fry published his essay on the statuary of the Mumuye of which the analysis of the endogenous network has so far lost nothing of its value. Basing himself on in situ observations, Jan Strybol attempted to analyze the exogenous network of this woodcarving. Thus he was able to document about forty figures and some masks and additionally to identify more than twenty-five Mumuye artists as well as a specific type of sculpture as being confined to the Mumuye Kpugbong group. During and after the Biafran war, hundreds of Mumuye sculptures were collected. Based on information gathered between 1970 and 1993 the author has demonstrated that a certain number of these works are not Mumuye but must be attributed to relic groups scattered in Mumuye territory.

Sculptor Martin Kargruber (b. 1965), from South Tyrol, Italy, forms each of his distinctive sculptural objects from a single piece of solid wood. He consciously uses the wood’s natural properties and organic materiality in his architectural and landscape motifs, employing traditional techniques and interpreting them anew in extraordinary ways. He transforms the rigidity of the material into a seemingly gentle movement, incorporating the workmanship itself into an explicit part of the design. His representative motifs are characterized — above and beyond the formal concept — by intensive exploration into the reality of the living world and a high level of poetic abstraction.

Text in English, German and Italian.

“The product of extensive archival research by members of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, these editions make newly accessible the work of the accomplished British designer.”Architectural Record

The genius of Edwin Lutyens is now universally recognized. When the acclaimed English architect passed away in 1944, three large volumes of his drawings and photographs were commissioned from the thousands found in his office and were published by Country Life. In 2023, all three volumes will be republished by ACC Art Books.

This third and final volume showcases Lutyens’ detailed plans and elevations for the greatest examples of his townhouse renovations, memorials and public buildings, including the Cenotaph at Westminster, the Thiepval Memorial, and the colossal Midland Bank building in Manchester.

These reissues are once again bringing to the world’s attention not just the professionalism of a great architect, but also the loving care with which he set down the minutiae of his visions. They are among the few books in existence illustrated with his working drawings, as well as pristine photos of the finished masterpieces themselves. A beautiful tribute to a monumental figure in the history of modern architecture.