3 comments about Land Development Calculations: Interactive Tools and Techniques for Site Planning, Analysis and Design.

1. A bit dissapointed that there was very little targeted toward Retail, specifically lacking in the areas of shopping center and out parcel development... but the formulas were interesting, and the concepts that were explained... were done so in great detail.



2. "Land Development Calculations" provides an excellent and innovative strategy for working towards sustainable land use and development. The models for varying land development strategies can assist local government land use decision makers and planners as well as developers determine the carrying capacity of land within realistic thresholds. The accompanying spreadsheets for the development scenarios on the CD-ROM are extremely user friendly and do not place an undue burden on the user by requiring what may be hard to find or to collect data. All of the data required just is typical of what is necessary to make appropriate land development decisions. As a local government planner, I am working towards incorporating the information received from the models in to the zoning and development code as part of the approval process by using it to further assess suitability of the property for the purposes proposed (a zoning consideration required in accordance with the State of Georgia Zoning Procedures Act). I strongly encourage other land planners and developers to read "Land Development Calculations," because of its highly practical and very timely material.



3. This is a terrificaly valuable technical reference for practitioners who need an efficient method of performing land development calulations. The book and its companion set of spreadsheets enable users to answer two key questions: 1) how much can be built on a given piece of land; or 2) how much land is needed to accommodate a given use? The material is clearly written and well illustrated, especially a series of worksheets leading through the method. Another strength is its comprehensiveness and detail, including all major land-use and micro site conditions.

1 comments about Islamic Art & Architecture: The System of Geometric Design.

1. If you are interested in high school maths or tiling in general this book shows how Islamic artists create most of the geometric tiling patterns found in Muslim monuments such as the Taj Mahal in India or the Alhambra in Spain. Issam shows how using the ancient greek techniques of a compass and a straight edge all of the tile designs are achieved. He also goes into the history of how these tile patterns were achieved. This book is written after Issam died from his notes and other previous work and is a summary of Issam's work so it probably represents the last chance to have these tile patterns explained. As a maths teacher myself I have never been so impressed by a book. It not only has great content but its diagrams are beautiful.

2 comments about AutoCAD 2005 and AutoCAD LT 2005: No Experience Required.

1. I used this book to get proficient in autocad 2006. It was tedious going through the first four chapters ( 1 week and then another for the rest of the book). There are probably other books as good. The book has slight mistakes, but all books do(on p112 on a image, arc explanation confusing just experiment). I'm thinking that an instructional DVD would be better. Make sure you download the examples from the internet for the book. It will clear up the explanations.



2. I moved to Autocad from another drafting program. I never really took the time to properly learn Autocad. This book has been very enlightening. I now finally understand how Autocad works and how to use it efficiently. The book has an excellent tutorial in which you construct a small cabin. As you draw the cabin you work with the basics of setting up drawings and drawing lines. As you work through the book you work with elevations, text, dimensions, and also some of the more esoteric features of Autocad. I also bought two other Autocad books and this was by far the most useful. I highly recommend this book to anyone desiring to learn Autocad.

No comments about AutoCad 2008 Instructor.

3 comments about Barn Style Homes: Design Ideas for Timber Frame Houses (Schiffer Design Book).

1. "Room by Room" is an extraordinary book filled with great pixs and layout ideas. It's helped me with many of my room design considerations. Thank you Skinner and Hanslin for another fine book.



2. What an amazing book. From country style cottages to contemporary homes and everything in between, this book has it all. The pictures give you a real feeling of what it is like to own a Barn Style Home...



3. If you're thinking about building a timber frame home, get this book for inspiration. It's a portfolio of thirty-two of the remarkable homes built by Tony Hanslin's company, Yankee Barn Homes. Each is presented in beautiful color photographs and with floor plans. You'll get ideas for details, finishes, furnishing, decorating and landscaping your new home. You'll learn about the flexibility and durability of this ancient method of construction, and you'll see the great, barn-like soaring spaces that can only be built with timber frames. Timber frame homes are more expensive than most, but this book is a bargain, and dreams are free!

1 comments about How Designers Think, Fourth Edition: The Design Process Demystified.

1. I have followed the many editions of this book. It is a classic. In this latest offering, the author has managed to keep it up to date - not easy in today's fast changing world. Well done. Look forward to the next edition.

No comments about Home Office, Library, And Den Design (Schiffer Design Book).

1 comments about Mastering Autodesk VIZ 2008 (Mastering).

1. This book is excellent, whether in comparison to others, or just by itself. The author clearly knows how to teach, he has laid the book out in exactly the way one should when teaching a very complex program to a beginner. He starts out explaining all the fuctions, the tools, and has you play with them. Then he moves on and builds his way up so you learn and understand.
   
   I had previously tried to read the 3DS Max 2008 book by Foundation, and it was a horrible experience. It was filled with errors, was "paint by the numbers", did not explain to you why you were doing things, etc. I literally gave up.
   
   I would urge anyone wanting to learn 3DS Max or Viz 2008 to buy and read this book by Jon McFarland instead, it is excellent.

1 comments about Waterfront Retreats.

1. My compliments to both Ana and Harper Design for this publication. This is a book about 21 uniquely Modern homes on the waterfront. Each is showcased with a floor plan, quick synopsis, and photos. It is mostly a picturebook. One of the wonderful things about this book is that it presents itself as a portfolio. You get the sense that such a presentation was handled with the sense of care and understanding that each architect himself would have put into representing his/her house had they done them individually. Unlike other books showcasing Modern architecture, this one provides a good range of solutions architects have employed to capture that "million-dollar view", whether it is siting, materials, or spatial organization. I would have rated it higher had it given the details to compliment the photography. This is a wonderful addition to any architectural library.

1 comments about Designing Greenways: Sustainable Landscapes for Nature and People.

1. For the price, this book is a great overview to designing greenways. I use this as a reference in my studies frequently--I am a student of Landscape Architecture and see this resource as highly valuable.