The "loft" phenomenon began in the 1970s as a solution some American artists found to the lack of living space. Today, lofts have become not only part of a culture and a life style cherished by many people in the big cities, but also a reference point for contemporary architecture and decoration. These open industrial spaces constitute a place where living, working or creating take place in an area open to the public. Through numerous international examples, this volume of 1,000 pages of illustrations and full-color photographs, showcases the most recent projects and the most ingenious solutions. Designers, architects, and owners have taken the maximum advantage of these cold spaces, transforming them into luxuriously bright open areas by using original structural elements.