5 comments about A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction (Center for Environmental Structure Series).

1. Sorry, but if you think that women and men are integrated, connected, rational beings in touch with nature and themselves, you're hiding your head in the sand! And this is supposed to be revolutionary? This book and its predecessor MAINTAIN THE STAUS QUO.
   The primary conditions of modernity are alienation from nature, from the rest of humanity, and from the self, as described by Kafka, Camus, etc.. Architects are notoriously money-hungry business people who don't give a damn about the human condition, Christopher Alexander and company not excluded; they are simply part of the apparati of power that keeps human beings in line. Unfortunately, the post-modern philosophy I've read doesn't rescue us from these conditions, although it purports to rationalize them, and offer a way out. A Thousand Plateaus, The Society of the Spectacle, Foucault, etc.. You want to be a new-age drone? Read this book, and bury your head in the sand. Otherwise, think for yourself and formulate your own revolutionary sociological and architectural ideas!



2. This book was recommended to me by one of my professors in college, and it is a really good guide for what certain parts of buildings (courtyards, types of rooms) as well as cities do. I found it particularly helpful in deciding how to improve my designs from some of the book's suggestions. Really a great book.



3. This book provided very valuable insight into the type of home that we wanted to build. We ultimately bought a home that we did not design, but this book helped us to develop values that would assist us in finding a home that would nurture us and our environment.



4. Lent it to a client and of course, never got it back. Bought it originally back in college. Everyone in the design field should be required to read this book.



5. This classic architecture work contains abundant wisdom and practical direction for living for every thinking person. I first read it nearly thirty years ago and used its principles to create a garden that delights to this day. When I found it again, I was eager to read the parts I had skipped over the first time. To my sorrow, the book is no longer relevant to the way most people now live. There is barely any nod to electronic communication or entertainment. If you want to be overwhelmed by how much we have lost, or changed, since this was written, I highly recommend it. I hope that, as with other lost arts, a new generation will be fascinated by the old ways people used to live, and will adopt the good and reinvent human spaces. Big box stores, super highways, multiplex cinemas, malls, security-driven barriers and other structures such as looping airport approaches and chaotic store layout, fractured product placement in retail outlets: all were not thought of in this work. The serenity of the human soul was the overriding value. It is easy to see the world today is organized more like a bandit's trap than a serene living arena. Definitely a deep and thought-provoking read.

5 comments about A World History of Architecture.

1. this is a good overview of architectural history. I just wish that I had gotten the paperback version instead of this heavy hardcover.



2. TERRIBLE. Never got the book, and NEVER received an email after I contacted him/her about the status of the book.



3. This Second Edition of "A World History of Architecture" is an exact reprint of "Buildings Across Time", Third Edition by the same authors and publisher.
   The difference? Price. $52 more! Just check the other book. For a while the First Edition was out of print so I was forced to use "Buildings Across Time" (I teach architecture at a Community College so price is very important to me). While I understand that the publishers have to make a profit, how is that that they can "afford" to sell this book for $41 while an exact copy of the "approved" higher education version is $92?
   I welcome the addition of notable examples in the last chapter but I have a problem with the removal of many other buildings. Just to name a few that were present in the First Edition and are missing from the Second: Biskupin, Ishtar Gate, Temple of Ramesses II, Great Stupa at Borobodur, Caernarvon Castle etc. I am not sure what this cleansing is all about, both editions are 592 pages. Granted something had to give since there are new examples throughout.
   I am only writing this in a hope that the Third Edition would include the missing examples from First Edition. If number of pages is fixed, just make some of the photographs smaller. Come on McGraw-Hill, you can do it!



4. I got this book for my Architecture class this fall. It was cheaper online than at any of the university bookstores and it shipped VERY quickly. It was also sent in a secure package, and arrived intact, which is problem I ran into with some other books I ordered this summer, not from this seller however.



5. The making of buildings from natural materials is older than the recorded history of the human race. Even in paleolithic and neolithic eras there were remarkable, complex, and enduring structures as evidenced by archaeological discoveries. The collaborative work of the team of Michael Fazio (Professor Emeritus of Architecture, Mississippi State University), Marian Moffett and Lawrence Wodehouse (both of whom have extensive careers teaching architecture at the university level), and now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, "A World History Of Architecture" begins with the advent of the city state architecture beginning with the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Hittites, Assyrians, and Egyptians, then proceeds with an architectural survey of the ancient Greece, India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and the Romans. There are detailed chapters covering the distinctive architecture of the Early Christians and Byzantines, Islam, medieval and romanesque Europe. Also presented are informative chapters on Gothic architecture, indigenous American and African architecture, as well as the buildings and structures of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. The final four (and extensive) chapters deal with 18th, 19th, and 20th century architectural advances, as well as 'Modernisms in the Mid- and Late Twenty-First Century and Beyond'. Superbly illustrated throughout, the text is consistently informed and informative, making "A World History Of Architecture" a critically essential addition to academic and community library Architectural Studies collections -- and is especially recommended for non-specialist general readers with an interest in architectural history.

5 comments about Delirious New York: A Retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan.

1. I read this book on the train, to and from work. I'm an architect in NYC, so it seemed like a perfect place to read this book. There are some interesting case studies that lead to an interesting comparison of Le Corbusier and Salvidor Dali with their respect to architecture. Oddly enough, I end up liking Dali as an architect more than Le Corbusier.



2. The author presents in concise fashion his own version of New York City's urban development history.
   
   One may or may not be convinced by his thesis that there is a specific New York City psyche that is reflected over time in a wide variety of constructions.
   
   But one can only be enthralled by his intimate knowledge of the City and of projects ranging from Coney Island to the Empire State Building to the 1964 World Fair.
   
   The surprising and at times bizarre illustrations add to the incredibly rich text. They include for instance a vintage photograph of famous architects actually costumed as their own creations: the Fuller Building, the Waldorf-Astoria, the Squibb Building, the Chrysler Building, etc.
   
   Written over 30 years ago and thus also a reflection of the 1970's, this work is definitely a classic well worth reading today for anyone interested in New York or in cities in general.



3. While "Delirious" has its fair share of archispeak, Mr. Koolhaas pulls off an intelligent, fun and thought-provoking take on the early 20th century building culture of New York.
   
   One of the quirkier (and frankly, awesome/bravadoish) aspects of "Delirious" is Mr. Koolhaas's analysis of Coney Island: an "incubator for Manhattan's incipient themes." As a reader, one initially questions the inclusion of such a trashy place in such a lofty manifesto. However, as the chapter progresses, you start to see Mr. Koolhaas's iconoclastic brilliance. He pays an amazing homage to "the laboratory" that was Coney Island, illuminating the vital role it played in the building philosophies that would emerge later in Manhattan.
   
   Scattered throughout "Delirious," also, are compelling supporting images that Mr. Koolhaas clearly spent a lot of time digging up. In fact, flipping through the book for the images alone makes for a near-equivalent, and fun, learning experience.
   
   However, unlike his tasteful use of images, Mr. Koolhaaas's flamboyant use of scholarly English makes his writing difficult to digest at times:
   
   "It is probably inevitable that a doctrine based on the continual simulation of pragmatism, on a self-imposed amnesia that allows the continuous reenactment of the same subconscious themes in ever new reincarnations and on inarticulateness systematically cultivated in order to operate more effectively..."
   
   Given Mr. Koolhaas's journalism background (and assumed mastery of writing), I suspect he made the conscious decision to remain somewhat inaccessible to preserve his "lofty" image. While such a decision may be understandable, his brilliance as a writer often gets overshadowed by the sheer irritation of trying to understand him.
   
   Ultimately, "Delirious" proves itself to be a very intelligent synopsis---just as delirious and congested the themes Mr. Koolhaas puts forth. For the most part, it's a pleasure to read, and it also reflects the exhaustive research on Mr. Koolhaas's end. Much like Mr. Koolhaas's buildings, "Delirious" is on the cusp of being as grand as it intends to be.



4. through the exhaustive historiography of the phases of congestion coney island brought to manhattan, koolhaas provides a rather cynical view of the Grid as being an ulimatley neutral zoning system of constraining ideas that represent the continual decline of a phantastically realistic civilization, represented as mutated symbols of architecture in the "void" of repeated "pregnancies."
   
   it's really well written. funny. uses, like above, a somewhat inefficient vocabulary but remains in the same vein throughout. it is also a graphic design hubris consuming every page, even the left-justified text, showing off koolhaas's interpretation of the importance to combine scholarship and marketing.
   
   buy it. it's a very good book.



5. A very inventive concept of New York's "culture of congestion" and how people are affected by the architecture they create. It is heavily researched and exhaustive, and after pretty much the third page I agreed with his concept of NY being "totally fabricated by man". What could of been a fascinating article becomes a spastic, heavy-handed read with a sledgehammer effect to your brain. (However,for those of us reading it for school, there are plenty of pictures that fill up the almost devastatingly vast 300+pages quickly.) It will scramble your brain with its thousands of nearly bumper-stickerish statements ("It hides life." "The Mountain MUST become architecture.") written with pretentious glee. However, I believe an independent scientific study has concluded that when pretending to read this book on the train people around you will assume your IQ is 40% higher than truth.

4 comments about European Architecture 1750-1890 (Oxford History of Art).

1. A clear yet sophisticated introduction. Most undergraduate architectural surveys are organized around either time periods or themes. Chronological approaches tend to be linear and concentrate on form, thematic approaches on overlapping phenomena and the history of ideas. Professor Bergdoll's book ably does both. It combines a complex yet lucid historical narrative with excursions into the history of ideas, developing social and political forces, and the development of new aesthetic and formal problems. Greatest hits include Somerset House, The Crystal Palace, French and English train stations, The Red House, German Romantic Monuments and Rundbogenstil buildings, The Eiffel Tower. The range of topics and the depth of treatment makes this a valuable undergraduate text and though challenging a good text for the architect and fans of architecture.



2. Not a very interesting read and hard to understand at times but if you are versed in Architecture it might be great.



3. took far too long to recieve the requested item. Was told it would be 1-2 weeks but recieved the item 6 weeks after purchase. this is the last time i will use this seller.



4. this book must be read with Modern Architecture by Oxford in order to understand the history of architecture. This book covers the must needed areas of the field including, the hut to Palladio, and others up until the rise of modernism, where incidently the book Modern Architecture takes over. I recommend this book in concordance to that book and for the architecture student whether for class or not.

5 comments about Architecture: From Prehistory to Postmodernity, Reprint (2nd Edition).

1. This book came in a very timely matter. I am satisfied with the quality of the book. It is in great condition.



2. Product was in Excellent condition except for a minor tear on the cover jacket (Which I don't use)
   
   Was delivered fast and have had nothing wrong with it
   
   Good stuff :)



3. The book arrived earlier than expected. It is a book I needed and could only find on Amazon. I am grateful that the book came in the condition that was describe to me. I encourage people to check out this book.



4. I am a Registered architect(with National Certification), Registered Interior Designer and instructor of Architectural History. Trachtenberg and Hyman have written the definitive history of western architecture in this tract. The reading is awkward at times, but the ideas conveyed comprise the foundation of todays architectural theory. There are few, if any textbooks on this subject which maintain a consistant thread of thought all the way through. This one does. If you are vitally interested in the underpinnings of today's designs, you should read it.



5. It does not take a whole lot of verbiage or a Ph.D. to describe what the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, or the modern Americans have achieved in constructing their architecture. This book is written with an unecessary amount of big words and is extremely abstract throughout and tends to over-explains simple architectural realms. It does have great color photos.
   If you want to read an excellent architectural book buy or read Sir Banister Fletcher's Architecture.

5 comments about Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning (Icon Editions).

1. Extremely fast shipping, and product was packaged perfectly. Would definitely do business with again.



2. i didnt receive the book that is shown in the picture, i received the previous edition for the book which didnt work out well for the class i bought it for.



3. so it got here in time and that was cool really wasnt an issue with the seller as it was with the product. Paperback book came fine but after 3 days of reading it fell apart the whole renaissance chapter has fallen out.



4. This book is one of the seminal readings for architectural history, and the reason is that the contents are well-thought-out, well-researched, and interestingly written.
   That said, shouldn't such a book, one you'll keep a good long time as a reference, come with a binding that doesn't fall apart on the first open? Sumeria and Mesopotamia are ready to leap out of the spine. It's a real travesty and the publisher should be embarassed. I'd have returned it if I didn't need it for a class.
   As for the contents, I'd say that Roth is a great scholar and writer. He's also done or reworked many of the very solid illustrations in the book, and the book is a good read as well as a good reference. You can pick up the thread anywhere and don't necessarily have to read in chronological order. Worth buying a copy (that doesn't fall apart in your hands.)



5. As Marion Dean Ross Professor of Architectural History at the University of Oregon at Eugene, Leland M. Roth summarized his research and experience in "Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning."
   
   Having done extensive graduate studies in architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning, I always find the history and meaning of architecture, gardens and places fascinating.
   
   "Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning" is a feast for people like me. It is separated into 2 parts. Part I covers elements of architecture including "Commoditie" (Function), "Firmeness" (Structure), "Delight" (Space, Acoustic and Aesthetic), architecture as part of natural environment, architecture, memory and economics. Part II covers history and meaning of Western architecture from the dawn of the civilization to present, including "from caves to cities," the architecture of Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, Greek architecture, Roman architecture, Early Christian and Byzantine architecture, Medieval architecture, Renaissance architecture, Baroque and Rococo architecture, the origin and development and versions of Modernism, and various schools of Postmodernism.
   
   "Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning" has 652 pages and many line drawings and good interior black-and-white photos. It is a valuable survey of Western architecture from the dawn of the civilization to present.
   
   Gang Chen, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Author of "Architectural Practice Simplified," "LEED GA Exam Guide," "Planting Design Illustrated," and other books on various LEED exams, architecture, and landscape architecture

1 comments about Programs and Manifestoes on 20th-Century Architecture.

1. This book is mandatory for the library of any architect or student of architecture. It is the point from which any discussion of Modern Architecture could begin. I am hard pressed to think of a notable architect Conrad has neglected to include in this handy little book. From these pages I have seen generated a good number of arguments and debates on the state of architecture today. This is a small price to pay for such a wide array of ideas, both good and bad.

3 comments about The Function of Form.

1. This is one of Moussavi's "The Function of ..." books, which are great books for students. I would personally recommend the "Ornament" installment. This book explains many (many) different structural solutions that mostly include arches and vaults and the almost infinite variations of them. Still a good book, maybe even a better book for engineers looking to get a broad overview than architects, but still a good book to have.



2. Where was this book when I was in architecture school? I have to say this is one the most comprehensive books ever written about structures that "generate" form... It's way of illustrating concepts with graphics and drawings are the way ALL architecture books should be written. Correct me if you think otherwise but Farshid Moussavi could become the Louis Kahn of contemporaneity...



3. THE FUNCTION OF FORM is a 'must' for any serious college-level arts collection. It proposes a new theory of form based on repetition and differentiation, offering a way for function in built forms to be conceptualized as a transversal process. Architecture and arts libraries will find this a technical, comprehensive analysis of the parts of forms that interact and reciprocate, going beyond text to pack pages with finished designs offset by pages of diagrams and explanations.

5 comments about Robert Venturi: Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture.

1. Book in very good condition
   Shipping extremely fast
   Very satisfied
   Definitely will buy from this seller again in the future!!!



2. This book is less a manifesto than it is a very interesting look at how architecture has evolved over the last 2000 years. Venturi evocatively shows that there was no straight line approach to architecture, but rather an ever-changing and ambiguous path that Modernists chose to make short cuts through. In this sense, Venturi really does capture the complexity and contradiction in architecture in that there are many lessons to be learned, making this book as valuable today as it was in 1966 when it first appeared.
   
   Being one of the early "gray" architects, Venturi inspired a movement that eventually became characterized as "Post Modern." His early architectural work left a lot to be desired, since it seems less inspired by the many historical examples he favored, like Frank Furness, in this book and more by the banal trends in contemporary architecture at the time, eventually leading to Learning from Las Vegas (1972), where the concept of a building being a "duck," or a decorated shed, emerged.
   
   This book's most appealing aspect is that it is immediately accessible. You don't have to be an architect to understand where Venturi is coming from, much less a grad student working on a dissertation. Venturi avoids all that senseless jargon that characterized architectural theory at the time and later came to engulf Po-Mo talk as well.



3. Didn't even open this book but if you are an architectural major this might be a great book.



4. "I like complexity and contradiction in architecture." That's how Robert Venturi starts this superb book. No great proclamation. It was an age tired of great proclamations. Instead, Venturi takes us through an impressively learned tour of his favorite things, a grand overview of great architecture, with acute formal analysis of facade and plan composition, sectional variety, and an accumulating realization that complexity is an inevitable force in the tumult of human, urban life.
   Postmodernism has come and gone, but modernism looks as it does today because of this book.



5. Now that the bottom of postmodernism has actually fallen out and is being dragged along the street by the chains of American capitalism, it's "alright" for students of architecture to return to that misjudged canonical textbook of post-modernism, C+C by Venturi. While not as engaging as his other main work "Learning from Las Vegas", this book still leads the reader into a meticulous analysis of the physical composition of major pieces of architecture, and the composition of the thoughts that made them. After reading it, I found myself unconciously applying it's main dichtomy of complexity and contradiction to much of the architecture around me, if that is any testament to its power.

5 comments about Yes Is More: An Archicomic on Architectural Evolution.

1. I recently read that Bjarke Ingels was rated as no. 64 in the list of the 100 most creative minds of the last few years. This definitely shows in this book. Apparently, Bjarke Ingels dreamed of being a comic book writer, but later in life decided to go to architecture school; hence the obvious comic book structure of the book.
   
   This "archicomic" is extremely easy to read, and if you're a visual person like me (and I assume most people interested in this book are) then a book literally FULL of drawings, models, renderings, diagrams, etc. will be very appealing to you.
   
   This book is a must-have for any fan of contemporary architecture.



2. This is a good book that incorporates a very different and interesting way of presenting ones work. I would recommend this book to anyone that is interested in architecture or design.



3. A fun, unique and clearly written presentation of BIG's portfolio and do-everything-solve-everything philosophy. I commend BIG for laying off the scholarly vocabulary too--very refreshing. The graphic novel style and general optimism is a breath of fresh air in a discipline rife with cynics.
   
   Its major flaw is one endemic to the "literature" of architecture: lots of showboating, which occasionally undermines the sincerity of the ideas.
   
   If their next book builds off of this, I look forward to reading it...



4. A fascinating look at architecture as an evolving organism reacting to need, environment, cooperative communication, indivuality ... not necessarily in that order.
   
   I'm buying a second copy for my niece who's a design student.



5. A graphic novel.
   A series of projects.
   The tale of a young team.
   The meaning of cities in the third millenium.
   There are a lot of enjoyful reading levels in this book.
   Choose your level, and think about complexity.