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Book List of the Week: David Rockwell

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Inspired by the magic of theater

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We recently received a list of a dozen books that have inspired David Rockwell—the acclaimed architect of restaurants such as New York’s famed Nobu Fifty Seven and hotels like the W, and the set designer of Oscar ceremonies and award-winning Broadway productions including Hairspray and the currently running Kinky Boots.

The books represent, Rockwell says in the introduction to his list, “people and things that have influenced my approach to design over the past 30 years—from childhood memories to the magic of theater to some extraordinarily creative individuals.”

Among Rockwell’s book selections, which range in topic from theater to architecture to politics to cooking, are John Loring’s Joseph Urban—Rockwell calls Urban “one of my favorite designers, whose profound interest in theater drove his architectural work.” Another book on the list is The Theater Art of Boris Aronson by Frank Rich.

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David Rockwell's Book List

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David Rockwell

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David Rockwell, Architect, Interior Designer, Scenic Designer: Rockwell Group (New York) (Photo: © Brigitte Lacombe 2014)

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