Architect discusses new book.

Architect, Alan Ritchie, partner of design legend Philip Johnson, signed copies while discussing their latest book and architectual ventures last week at the Barnes & Noble at 675 Sixth Ave.

The book was devoted to the great body of work on which these two architects have collaborated over the past decade.

The book "Philip Johnson/Alan Ritchie Architects" is the first comprehensive collection of the combined works of the two acclaimed architects. It narrates the two partners developing style over the past ten years and describes the "Habitable Sculpture," a project that exemplifies the Philip Johnson/Alan Ritchie trademark style.

The building model, which is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, was ondisplay at the book signing.

The original inspiration for the building was a sculpture of twisted metal by artist John Chamberlain. Philip Johnson and Alan Ritchie have extracted the essence of that sculpture and converted it in to viable design plans.

"A man in his 80s he was looking for new ways of doing things," said Ritchie about Philip Johnson, now 97, at the book signing.

"He was looking for a way that sculpture could be turned incorporated into a building." Their work with geometric shapes was labeled "post modernism," but Ritchie said he would prefer their work to be called "new modernism."

Antonio Nino Vendome, who commissioned the designs for the Habitable Sculpture, was also present at the signing. Vendome plans to turn art into architectural reality in the form of a new Philip Johnson/Alan Ritchie designed building to be located on Spring Street in the Hudson Square neighborhood.