For three generations members of the Ratcliff family have, with various partners and business structures, created a West coast vernacular with which they interpret, redefine and realign space with an emphasis on quiet grace. Some of their projects are very large, including installations for high tech firms, universities and transportation facilities, but they also influenced residential architecture, building in the California experience in their clients' demands for Spanish and English fantasies. The result of this elegant text and beautiful photography is a better idea of what architects do, when they have talent and taste. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)