1 comments about Brandscapes: Architecture in the Experience Economy.

1. The topic of this book is extremely entertaining. As any reader can
   imagine from the title, it's about landscapes as byproduct of branding.
   Well known recent projects in the US (few Europe) by star architects are
   analyzed in the context of city branding, museum branding, and corporate
   branding.
   
   Branding has been out there for long time, but what's particularly
   interesting in recent phenomena (gist of this book) is that the
   architecture (or formation of its process) is used as a vehicle to
   branding. Klingmann was able to pull together diverse discipline groups
   and abundant resources to make that claim.
   
   Another major voice in the book is about "Experience Economy." Basically,
   how product developers and brand strategists have evolved their nature of
   products and point of advertisement into consumer based satisfaction.
   That in mind, Klingmann pulls together solid evidence of the
   architectural role.
   
   Good books tend to be either extremely informative or imaginative.
   Reading the book, I had pleasure of doing the latter. Branding, in my
   mind, at the basic level comes down to "art of seduction" or "art of
   persuasion", dealing the issues of contemporaneity. There are probably
   gazillion different veils to seduce, Klingmann's book does not focus on
   one particular way of seducing. The real strength of the book, hence is,
   its open-endedness to imagination.

5 comments about The Architecture of John Lautner (Universe Architecture Series).

1. It is wonderful to see a book devoted to the houses that John Lautner designed. However, the small format (8.2 x 6.5) doesn't do justice to the details of his designs.



2. Fantastic architecture and pictures.
   I needed it for my new house as inspiration, and my architect has Luutner as one of his favourites.



3. Lauther has been able to utillize unbuildable sites to create rooms with beautiful views.



4. it is amazing to see how the designs of the mid 1900's seem so contemporary even to the present day. this book captures the designs via beautiful photography and commentary.
   even the layman will be amazed to find that many of the buildings have been used in the media for many years. whether in movies or magazines they have been associated with the most contemporary designs of our time.
   highlights this architects mastery of a typical material palette of concrete, wood, and steel.



5. This book is really beautiful, the pictures are of great value. If the architecture can be said as to be a little "out of fashion" (I mean architecture of the fifties), it is anyway wonderful and inspiring to see such beautiful house. there is a lot of wonderful pictures of all the major houses build by lautner during his career. the only things that can be missed in this book is that there is no drawings but anyway, I really believe it's a good book.

1 comments about Concrete and Clay: Reworking Nature in New York City (Urban and Industrial Environments).

1. Matthew Gandy's CONCRETE AND CLAY is a sweeping history of the different ways in which nature has been reworked in New York City. It includes an historical account of the ways in which the current water system was put in place. It also offers an in-depth discussion of the Olmstedian ideology of nature and space, a useful way for framing the ways in which construction and land use has functioned in NYC over time. In addition to these important historical insights, the book also offers a glimpse into early forms of local organizing in what would later take the distinct shape of the environmental justice movement in the history of the Young Lords. But because the book is specifically about NYC, Gandy focuses his attention on the Lords' movement in the city, while only offering a nod to the successful organizing campaigns that took place in cities like Chicago. This history of Young Lords activism against environmental neglect is often left out of mainstream historical accounts. Gandy situates it center stage and thus honors the impact the initial sanitation movement had for not just the Puerto Rican population, but for the city at large. This book is a must read for anyone interested in a different type of history of New York City, one taken from a perspective that challenges more common ideas about urbanity transcending nature.

5 comments about Skyscraper: The Making of a Building.

1. I have worked in science and engineering for many years and worked on many projects. I keep this book on my bookshelf and read it every few years. It is just wonderful and well written story. I think that I have now read it three times.
   
   It is about the construction of a building in Manhattan at 49st and 8th avenue called Worldwide Plaza. It takes the reader right from the concept through all aspects from zoning, financing, foundation work, steel erection, concrete, marble, mechanical, water leaks, leasing, everything in a nice narrative form, but not dry ...written like a novel and very entertaining.
   
   But what is great is the way all the small problems arise and are solved between all the contractors and trades and suppliers or subcontractors including trips to visit marble suppliers in Italy, laboratories in Florida, etc. This could be problems with brick colors, or steel, or delivery schedules, or street traffic, or water leaks or even alterations to the common areas as the building is finished. It is a nice review of "Just in time" manufacturing on a large scale.
   
   Not for everybody put near perfect for engineers! Realistic, educational, entertaining... a keeper for the bookshelf.



2. I watched the series with fascination and now the book. This is a great way to learn the workings of a fantastic creation and take a peek of the frustrations towards success. I've been looking for the video to purchase, but understand there are none and no plan to create one. WELL GUESS WHAT! I was looking at some old video tapes of mine when I came upon some with no labels. I popped them into the VCR and guess what....that's right...I HAVE IT!!! I guess I recorded it when PBS had it on. For more information you can contact me at tellablvr@yahoo.com



3. I thought this was an all around cool book. This book deals with the whole process of how a building is built, from the sight location, finances, government agencies and construction. You get just the right amount of detail, not so much that you are forcing your way through the book, but enough to really understand it. I like the flow of the book, the author keeps the pace going and you can feel the tension main of the actors are experiencing. The author has done a good job with this book, detailed and interesting. If you ever wanted to know how they build those big building then this is an introductory course.



4. This book is a fascinating look at the entire process of building a skyscraper. Finance, logistics, negotiation, construction, architecture... it's all here. I have one question. I believe this book was once a PBS series... does anyone know if that is available on video? If anyone has any info on that please email me at adeleanddavid@mediaone.com



5. I believe the author has done an excellent job of articulating the concessions and compromises made by all the parties in the development of a skycraper. To illustrate the delineation of some of the roles, responsibilities and concomitant frustrations, I quote from the book:

   "In an earlier world the architect got on with the drawings. In todays world it's left much more to vendors to produce documents which the architect checks" (page 242)

   "We can never work in the final medium of our art, as painters or sculptors usually do, so it's frightening to see the final thing come together being crafted by other hands than your own" (page 299)

   "The architects were pretty confident that it wasn't a design fault. The masons were pretty sure that they had built the wall to specifications...The window manufacturer was fairly happy with the windows he had fabricated and shipped...for the mockup. The testing company, which had supervised building the mockup, seemed confident that all the instructions had been followed...As they all talked among themselves, rumors spread." (page 202)

   The interface between the consultants, trades, vendors, managers and developer makes for interesting reading with some lessons to be learned.

5 comments about American Country Houses of the Gilded Age (Sheldon's "Artistic Country-Seats").

1. The author of this book refers to country homes of the Gilded Age as "Country Seats" (or "country cottages"). By the author's definition, these were homes of, "grandiose size and scale with imposing facades complemented by manicured gardens and with large and impressive reception rooms, halls, parlors, dining rooms, and other public spaces."
   
   George Sheldon published a book around 1887 documenting this surge in architectural creativity (expressed via country seats) and called his book :"ARTISTIC COUNTRY SEATS".
   
   Therefore, this book in review, called, AMERICAN COUNTRY HOUSES OF THE GILDEN AGE, (by Arnold Lewis) was written to show the homes photographed in the Sheldon book, and to update the information provided by Sheldon, so that we can better understand what the Architects and structures' owners were trying to express.
   
   For a long time, I have been interested in seeing what the opulent homes of the Gilded Age must have looked like, especialy those that were avaialable before they were all torn down or destroyed by vandals, fire, etc.
   
   Since I was not too familiar with "country seats" I wanted to find a good book on this specific topic. Well, by buying this book by Arnold Lewis I think I was able to get a better feel for these "country seats" of the wealthy (aka: "country cottages" of the rich).
   
   
   The "country cottages" owned by the wealthy class shown in this Lewis book, are mostly from 1880 to around 1889. Also included in this book are a few selected Casinos from the same period. Reason for the Casinos being included in the Lewis book is probably because the same famous Architects that designed some of the opulent private cottages also designed Casinos located in vacations spots visited by the wealthy class. In addition, some of the Casinos bear a striking resemblance to the styles of the country seats shown in this Lewis book.
   
   Anyhow, when reading this book, I would advise that the reader reads the INTRODUCTION throughly because it explains the role that Sheldon had, in describing each structure. In other words, before jumping right in (as many of us often do) and looking at all the photos, I would recommend reading the entire INTRODUCTION, because it puts the photos in complete perspective.
   
   For instance: The author of this book has researched the Sheldon photos (and reviews) and then re-vamped the descriptions so that they are more understandable to a reader from our Era.
   
   The photos are large and the reader can see all the details so clearly. In fact, it's amazing that photos taken in the 1880's can be so clear!
   
   The black and white photos, have an almost sepia tone to them, making them even more enjoyable to admire. Each structure's photo has a clear explanation of the Architect of the structure, and also a brief description of the date of production and a background of the actual owners, and also, when the structure was finalized.
   
   The photos include a reproduction (in black and white) of the "blueprint" of the first floor of each structure.
   
   As other commentators have pointed out, the book does not show "blueprints" of the second or third floors, however, the author does attempt to describe the upper floors within the photos' description.
   
   Each Architectural style is described in detail in the INTRODUCTION. However, if you are a novice as to specific Architectural styles of the past, then I would recommend becoming briefly acquainted with Architectural styles (and the elementary Architectural vocabulary) before attempting to fully understand the structures` actual styles. For example, to a novice, a structure that looks like a "snow white castle" may be misunderstood, unless the reader has a brief knowledge & understanding of why the early Victorian and/or Queen Anne homes were designed with so many gables and filligrees and turrets.
   
   I should also mention that this book's INTRODUCTION mentions the COST of each home, specifically at the time of the home's finish. So, I think that the readers will find this fact also very interesting, especially when comparing each home to each other (eg: why did some homes cost $6,000, while others cost $200,000.00?).
   
   Also included in the INTRODUCTION are descriptions of where each home was once located (by State), and also which Architectural firm designed each home.



2. This book is richly illustrated with black & white photos of historic houses in the United States. For the person interested in houses from the gilded age, this book provides clear photographs with a minimum of text that can be studied in detail. The photos, more often than not, set the house in its surroundings, however photos of gardens and landscape architecture is minimal. This book is ideal for someone looking for ideas to incorporate into their own plans for home-building, as well as for students and professionals seeking a good photographic reference to the gilded age that covers houses in many regions of the country.



3. The homes shown and described in this book are wonders of a world gone by, and sadly many of them have fallen to the wreakers ball. Thankfully, this book has saved the images, basic floor plans and stories of these magnificent homes. This book is a nice addition to any Victorian lovers library.



4. "American Country Houses of the Gilded Age" reprints 100 photographs from "Artistic Country-Seats," a book originally published in 1886-87 with commentary by George William Sheldon. This new version of the collection replaces Sheldon's original comments with those of Arnold Lewis. But the real "stars" of the book are the 93 houses and four casinos portrayed in the excellent black-and white photos.

   These houses represent some of the most stunning mansions of the late 19th century. Most of these buildings were built in the northeastern United States. Each plate is accompanied by both Lewis' comments and by a first floor plan.

   The houses themselves represent many of the popular styles of the era: Tudor, "Shingle," Queen Anne, Chateauesque, Richardsonian Romanesque, Colonial Revival, and Exotic Revival. The crisp photography captures a wealth of beautiful details: covered verandas, stone arches, classical pillars, towers, pinnacles, parapets, half-timbering, castellations, fanciful dormers, and intricate decorative flourishes.

   The only disappointing aspect to the book is the fact that only the first floor plans are included. Plans for the other floors would have increased the book's value as a record of social history. Nevertheless, the detailed first floor plans do offer fascinating insights into the lives of the wealthy families of the "Gilded Age." You can imagine yourself wandering through the billiard room or music room of your favorite mansion! If you are fascinated by American home architecture, or if you simply want a taste of this opulent era, you will love this book.




5. This book let's readers see how the wealthiest people in America lived back in the late 1800's. The floor plans are, although small, completely readable. I do wish the author would have included the floor plans for the second, third, etc. floors. Great photographs and good desrciptions of the homes.

5 comments about Marvelous Murals You Can Paint.

1. this is an older book and the work simplistic I prefer his latest 3 books:The House That Faux Built,Its Faux Easy With Gary Lord and his latest mural book just coming out



2. I think Gary Lord does wonderful work and these murals are amazing. However, unless you are an artist or have invested in some equipment, this isn't for you. It has great ideas that one might hire done.



3. Although this book was visually nice to look at I found it lacked in teaching me how to paint murals. I have stumbled across a great site that has free tutorials on it. The site is [...] I hope you find this helpful.



4. This book has alot of good information that both novice and pro alike will love. There are alot of techniques covered in this book and the authors cover them extensively. If you're thinking of making a carreer as a muralist, or just want to spruce of your own home, this is the book to start with.



5. I purchased this book in the hope that it would provide instruction to create the murals illustrated on the first few pages. Unfortunately, although there are very beautiful murals pictured,instructions are included for only a few. Perhaps my tastes differ from the authors but it seems that most garish and ugly murals were the ones that included "how to" instructions. It leads one to wonder if perhaps they do not want any competition in producing the more tasteful murals pictured! I also purchased the companion video and was disappointed for the same reasons- the instructions were only for projects I would not want to do.

1 comments about The Chicago School of Architecture: A History of Commercial and Public Building in the Chicago Area, 1875-1925.

1. This is Condit's most significant contribution to the history of architecture-- a must-read for anyone interested in Chicago, its architecture, and the broader themes of American vernacular inventiveness in design and engineering. Condit is not forgiving of the reader-- prepare to learn more than you might have planned about caissons, load-bearing structural systems, windows, etc.-- but on the other hand there's little or no sense of being instructed in "good taste" here, either. Condit makes a plain-speaking argument and provides the information to support it. Those who wish to delve deeper will want to look to Condit's two-volume study of architecture in Chicago, long out of print but still available used. There his strong-willed personality appears more forcefully and so does his penchant for the technical; one leaves the work with a richer vocabulary, a sharper eye, and perhaps a sharper tongue, as well.

No comments about Body, Memory, and Architecture (Yale Paperbound).

2 comments about Bridges: Three Thousand Years of Defying Nature.

1. I purchased this as a gift for a very dear friend. She was absolutely over the moon when she saw it. She had been wanting it, but hadn't been able to get it for herself. She has been enjoying it ever since and is absolutely delighted with it.



2. This covers every possible aspect of bridge building that a layperson could think of. Except for one thing. It hardly mentions the laborers who are responsible for the work that made these bridges possible. Yes, a bridge is made from concrete, brick, steel, timber, cable, iron, and whatnot, but what about the blood, sweat, and tears? The book goes into the construction of piers, the methods used to erect various parts of the bridge, and so forth. But it stops short of mentioning how the laborers were organized, who they were, where they came from, and how many of them died building these works of art.
   
   So, although the book filled me with knowledge, I finished it feeling a little bit empty, as if I had seen the surface of all the seas and oceans of the world, but never a whale or fish.

5 comments about The Icing on the Cake.

1. This book is lovely. It has Great step by step instructions including pictures. A perfect base book of ideas that you can expand on. I bought it for my-self but think it would make a good gift as well.



2. I simply love this book. The instructions are clear and easy to understand. The pictures are outstanding and help show step by step. This is a perfect book for someone who just starting out in the cake decorating. It even includes little side bar tips to help you. If you can not take a decorating class, this book is the next best thing!!!



3. I enjoyed this book because not only does it have great ideas, it shows you how to execute them.



4. This book is good for beginner. There are step-by-step pictures show how to decorate the cake. If you are a intermediate or advance decorator, I don't recommend this book. The pictures is easy to follow.



5. The book is very informative....has great pictures for instructions....hoping my wedding comes out great.