1 comments about Shaping Structures: Statics (Simplified Design Guides).

1. This book was used in a upper-level statics class at the University of Oregon Architecture Department. I found this book very useful in understanding concepts dealing with structures. The book is organized very well and the figures are very helpful in their explainations. The methods that they use to direct the reader through their process are relatively clear and concise.

   In a book like this it would be really helpful if the mathmatical elements which tend to be more accurate were paired with the problems and exercises at the end of the chapters. When dealing with statics, classes are taught with a mathmatical emphasis and being able to link the two would benefit the student.

1 comments about David Adjaye: Making Public Buildings.

1. Nice book! Not as rich as 'David Adjaye houses'. This is common for a lot of effort in editing and producing a rich pallette of projects for the first publication.
   
   This book is not as rich with information as the first but examines a method and approach to public space and tectonics.
   
   I think its worth the read!

No comments about Design for Ecological Democracy.

No comments about Wine Cellar Design.

2 comments about The Gothic Cathedral: The Architecture of the Great Church 1130-1530.

1. Christoper Wilson's "The Gothic Cathedral: The Architecture of the Great Church, 1130-1530" is a superb survey of cathedrals and large European churches constructed across four centuries, not only filled with an incisive text but also wonderfully illustrated with hundreds of diagrams and exquisite photographs. It is true that the photos are only black-and-white so the reader cannot wholly grasp the glory of stained glass windows, but the photographs nonetheless render the Gothic architectural features and details with great clarity. This combination of excellent text and superb illustrations makes Wilson's book ideal for either close, intensive study or simple joyful browsing. I cannot imagine that anyone who appreciates glorious Gothic architecture would not find Wilson's "The Gothic Cathedral" not only a valuable but also a necessary addition to his or her library.



2. How I ended up being the first to review this book is beyond me. I would've guessed that many a learned architectural scholar would've long since sung the praises of this wonderful book. I, however, am just a layman with a lifelong passion for Gothic cathedral architecture, which started in the Washington National Cathedral and became educated, at least partiallly, in this book.

   I consider Wilson's "The Gothic Cathedral", a 'must own' for anyone who has ever felt a yearning to know more about the soaring arches, brilliant glasswork, and impossibly high, vaulted ceilings of these magnificent medieval structures. This book, details the development of this unique form of architectural artistry; beginning with it's modest antecedents in Romanesque architecture and the groin-vaulted churches of Normandy and England and continuing through even the most elaborate and extravagant versions of late-Gothic throughout Europe. Mr. Wilson moves the reader, comfortably and comprehensibly through the chronological development of Gothic architecture, while neatly detailing the differences in coincidental development in several diverse geographic regions. Even I, with no formal architectural education, can now explain most of the finer points of Norman Romanesque, French High Gothic, and the Rayonnant styles of architecture, as well as explaining the odd metamorphisis of the English Decorated style into the very uniquely English, Perpendicular style.

   The text is brilliantly cross-referenced with the illustrations, diagrams and photographs, which are both descriptive and beautiful, despite being all black and white. Finally, the glossary, index, and bibliography are complete and very helpful. If you think you MIGHT like this book... you will. Buy it.

1 comments about On Weathering: The Life of Buildings in Time.

1. This book provides a fresh new approach on how architects and/or designers should view the use of materials. The ingeneous approach on how the natural weathering process of materials can be a phenomenon that may enrich a material's physical property, provides a great insightful approach for a 'responsible' use of materials in architecture. This book is a MUST read for all those architecture students that have a great interest in materials.

1 comments about American Art and Architecture (World of Art).

1. Professor Lewis has undertaken a very ambitious project and has accomplished his mission with an astonishingly clear, easy to read and engaging review.
   The study of American art and architecture is a hobby for me and I have read several texts on this subject prior to this one. I say this to frame my comments as coming not from a professional or scholarly point of view but not from a novice, either. I am not certain that this would be a good entry point for this subject if only because the author covers so much ground in the space alotted . For the reader who is familiar with well known works and the lives of the characters discussed here,the book provides a flowing narrative that connects the developments in both art and architecture to the historical events of the times. There is little attempt to dig into the psychological or political underpinnings in any great detail, a trait of some of the other reviews in the field that can often make the going a bit tough. (I find this to be a problem with some of the Oxford series books).
   The illustrations are not the high point of this book. They are adequate and serve to reinforce the text, which I think is the point here.
   The brief glossary and comprehensive index were helpful when trying to return to a point discussed in brief detail which returns later in the text.

5 comments about The Architecture of Delano & Aldrich.

1. Delano and Aldrich were remarkable architects whose achievements include the Dutch Reformed Church in Brookville, LI Oheka, the largest home in the country, Willard Straight Hall at Cornell and other buildings too numerous to mention which you probably count amont your favorites whether or not you know about architecture. The photos and text of this book show their range and informs about the kindly and sophisticated personalities of the men.



2. While I agree this is the best available source right now on Delano and Aldrich, the book has some major problems. I especially do not like the fact that you need to search three different parts of the book for photographs and images of any particular project: color photos grouped at the start of the book, then small images alongside the main text, and then larger black and white photographs grouped at the end of the book.



3. I wish all books on noted architects where this good. Mr. Sterns preface at the beginning of the book is astute. This book is a perfect combination of archival and current photos and the history of the buildings are well researched and thorough. The color photos are vivid and well executed and the archival photos are well chosen. So many of these books just give you archival photos and are not researched as well as one would hope. This book is a blueprint for how these type of books should be presented. This beautiful book is well worth the money and at these prices that's high praise indeed.



4. I highly recommend this definitive work on architects Delano & Aldrich. The book is amazingly well-researched and well-written as well as beautifully illustrated with both historic and contemporary photographs. It's a must for the library of anyone interested in architecture!



5. I have been interested in the work of Delano and Aldrich for a number of years, and this book provides the best information I have been able to get so far.

   The descriptions are deep and serious. I also liked the great pictures. The impact of their work is historic to say the least.

   This is a must read.

1 comments about Welcome to My Studio: Adventures in Oil Painting.

1. A great reference book to be read and re-read. She gives quick instruction for the problem areas of painting with lots of illustrations. Easy to use.

4 comments about The Seventy Wonders of the Modern World: 1500 Years of Extraordinary Feats of Engineering and Construction.

1. This book was a HUGE resource for me for my survey of architecture class. Combined with The Seventy Wonders of the Ancient World provided me with enough information to ace the class. Strongly recommended.



2. The detailed information, with dimensions and plans included, along with magnificent photography make it a must, both for reference and normal reading purposes.



3. This well organized, informative and concise volume offers a clearly written collection of essays on the complete history of seventy of the world's greatest engineering and construction achievements from the year 1500 A. D. to the present.
   Each structure is carefully detailed in a well-researched, short entry of two to four pages long. Basic facts like who built it, where, when and why are covered, and additional information is also provided like its basic statistics, the politics associated with its construction, accounts of the project's development and other fascinating data. Moreover, for quick check-ups, each wonder is accurately placed in one of the seven categories into which the book is divided: Churches, Mosques, Temples & Shrines; Palaces & Castles; Public & State Buildings; Towers & Skyscrapers; Bridges, Railways & Tunnels; Canals & Dams; and Colossal Statues.
   This reference is handsomely presented in a sturdy binding, printed in top-quality paper, and beautifully illustrated with over 350 spectacular photos, explanatory diagrams, magnificent reconstructions and historical drawings.
   Featured among the showcased selection are The Statue of Liberty, The Panama Canal, The Eiffel Tower, The Taj Mahal, and The Forbidden City, and the rest of the masterpieces included are equal testimony of man's unending imagination and its application beyond mere aesthetic power, structural virtuosity or plain utility.
   As a bonus, the book includes an introduction that explains the criteria used to pick the selected structures. A comprehensive bibliography especially useful for further research and a thorough index, for specific consultations, are also included.
   This is a fact-filled compendium that readers of all ages will undoubtedly refer to again and again.
   --Reviewed by Maritza Volmar



4. Book has photos and information about seventy architectural wonders of the modern world: buildings, bridges, etc. Some I was unfamiliar with-for example, my favorite of the entire book, a very unusual cathedral (Unbelievable!) in progress in Barcelona. Would be a great gift for architects, engineers, and all inquisitive people.