No comments about Adobe.

No comments about Performative Architecture: Beyond Instrumentality.

No comments about Chip Multiprocessor Architecture: Techniques to Improve Throughput and Latency (Lecture).

No comments about Civil Engineering: Transportation Engineering Review.

5 comments about Designing and Drawing for the Theatre.

1. The text provides names of existing professionals in all the fields of theatre design. It provides many production photos and technical drawings to use as examples. The book also provides something unique: interviews with designers and draftspeople. If you are looking for a general guide to design, this is a great source for visuals. It contains a step by step guide on the design process, but in reality it is a general guide on how to design without messing up royally.



2. I ordered this book after reading evryone's raving rviews, and expected to get a really great book. I must say, though, that I was disappointed. Depending on what kind of book you are looking for, it can be good or bad. What the book does have is immense collections of details for different objects - dozens of different window frames, for example, or many options for stair railings. What I found missing from this book is theory. The author talks lengthly about all sorts of details such as how long it takes to strike different kinds of sets, or what kinds of specifications a scenic shop needs in order to build a set. All of this stuff is pointless if you haven't yet designed a set. I think that the author should either have talked about different scenic styles, disscussed the use of color and proprtions and talked about the creative process involved in designing a set and being part of a whole production. Since she did not do this, I suggest that in her next edition of the book she remove the word "design" from the title. I also suggest that she arrange the pictures (which are actually great) so that on the page where she writes about a certain kind of scenery, there are pictures of those kinds of sets - especially since she had the right pictures stuck in different parts of the book so it is just a matter of putting them onto the right pages.

   One thing that I found exclusive to this book as opposed to other books (aside from the lack of solid content and over-abundance of pointless precticalities) was the extensive interviews with designers such as Ming Cho Lee and John Napier. All though her questions as well kept on missing the point and dealing with irrelevant pracicalities, it is amazing to find such a collection of interveiws. Though you must agree with me that it is very stupid to have a chance to talk to some of the greatest designers of the century and then ask them questions like "So how many inches apart were the backdrops hung when the were flown?" or "What were the exact dimensions of the conveyor belts that you used in 'Annie'?". The questions that I would have liked to hear the answers to are things that you couldn't ask anyone else, such as "So what made you decide to use that particular style?" or "What kind of artists, if any, have effected your designs over the years?".

   So this is a great book if you already know what you are doing in theater design and need some workshop techniques and to copy Ms.Pecktal's doorframes and wallpaper patterns.

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3. excelent for the student studing scene design, it goes over all the basics a person will need to know when coming into this feild, like how to book your self, how to arive at a concept and tools, skills and knowlege you will need to have to be a great scene designer.



4. This wonderful book, though pricey, is worth every penny. It's full of hundreds of pictures, great interviews with designers, and lots of reference materials (pages of doors or windows or chairs or whatever else it is that you need). Whenever I'm stuck on a design, I can always find inspiration--or at least hours of distraction--in this book. Especially useful for the begining design student.



5. There is simply no other book available today on this subject that can compare. Every library and serious professional needs to own a copy. Put it on the shelf with the priceless (and long out of print) "Stage Design Throughout The World" series. Included are hundreds of illustrations of the work of the best American theatre designers: undeniably the most influential and dynamic designers in world theatre during this period. It illustrates what is likely to be known as the high-water mark of American theatrical design. Anyone who has ever done compelling design work in the theatre is here. Students, professionals and amateurs, indeed, anyone who loves the performing arts, will devour it at one sitting then browse with deepened pleasure over a lifetime. A "must have." Get it before it goes out of print!

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1 comments about Fractal Geometry in Architecture & Design.

1. Bovill does a good job of explaining the principles of fractal geometry in layman's terms for those not already familiar with them. I was particularly impressed with his understanding of how fractal dimension varies with scale and which scales are important for architecture. However, I was disappointed that there were no references made to structural properties of fractals and how they might have excellent strength to weight ratios for a wide range of scales. Everything was taken from a design perspective concerned with texture.

No comments about Distinguishing Digital Architecture: 6th Far Eastern International Digital Architectural Design Award.

4 comments about Architectural Detailing: Function, Constructibility, Aesthetics.

1. An excellent book for architectural students and young professionals, now made better in the second edition. Expanded with more insight and expertise from Professor Allen augmented by Professor Rand makes it invaluable to readers. A must on every professional's book shelf providing the basic fundamentals and principles of detailing.



2. This book is the thinking person's "Graphic Standards" (no slight to that book intended). But in this case, instead of handing you details, it teaches you how to design your own details. It is not only a one-of-a-kind approach but incredibly well-done, well organized, and beautifully illustrated as well. It is a guide to knowing why details should be designed in particular ways. It explains, in depth, what to think about when designing at the level of the detail. And the three case studies in the back of the book are worth their weight in gold. This book truly makes the point that detailing is part of the process of design. Get it, and keep it.



3. As much as I like the author's "Building Construction", this book is not recommended. It is based on the premise that many construction details share common principles: shed water by using sloping surfaces, for instance. After a few such groupings are described, it turns into a tips and tricks collection, e.g., do rough work before finish work. It's not a comprehensive reference by any means. On the contrary, it's shamefully padded with many nearly blank pages. Enjoyable reading, nice drawings, just not nearly enough material to justify the price.



4. This book is the recipe to designing architectural details. The book is divided into many small but concise sections each dealing with different aspects e.g, controlling water leakage, accommodating movements, providing structural support, forgiving details, etc. In each of these sections various solutions and stategies to deal with these aspects are shown with simple easy to understand diagrams accompanied by a brief explanation. A chapter at the end is dedicated to developing and designing the architectural details through choosing and combining solutions disscussed in the sections with illustrated examples.

   This book is the essence to "designing" or merely to "understanding" architectural details. The structure and simplicity of this book makes it almost like a dictionary of architectural details. This book is suitable for students, practicing architects, and those who are interested in the detailing of architecture. Note: in my opinion this book is of a reference nature and not recommended for leisure reading.

1 comments about Structural Design: A Practical Guide for Architects.

1. i'm an architecture student...n taking structures for one of my classes, i found this book immensely helpful, especially, when the teacher's not that great!!!!!!