No comments about Innovation in Planning: Italian Experiences.

No comments about Moulding, Assembling, Designing: Ceramics in Architecture.

3 comments about Glass Construction Manual (Construction Manuals (englisch)).

1. This is a complete compendium of engineering information for the most typical use of glass--as a window. Everything needed to analyze a building's energy budget--at least for the German climate--is presented and well explained, as is daylighting. Atria and double leaf facades are discussed at the end to summarize the principles. There is also a comprehensive section on the mechanical properties of glass: resistance to wind loads, how to attach it, etc.
   Only downside is the quality of the translation (I assume), which results in an occasional unusual sentence: "As no energy can be lost from the total system, the balance of the incident energy must be able to be resolved mathematically."
   Nothing that impairs understanding though.



2. This is one of the better books that I have seen on the topic of curtain wall design. It is full of very accurate amd well explained techincal information as well labeled details. The project section is a comprehensive study of some of the most complex curtain walls built. This section is full of detail drawings and color images of the built details. This is a MUST HAVE book for anyone working on complex wall systems, or anyone interested in the state of the art in curtain wall design.



3. This is one of the better books that I have seen on the topic of curtain wall design. It is full of very accurate amd well explained techincal information as well labeled details. The project section is a comprehensive study of some of the most complex curtain walls built. This section is full of detail drawings and color images of the built details. This is a MUST HAVE book for anyone working on complex wall systems, or anyone interested in the state of the art in curtain wall design.

1 comments about Hyper-Realistic Computer Generated Architectural Renderings.

1. The book lives up to its title, offering terrific computer generated renderings of great architecture. But what were they THINKING when they designed the type? If the pictures are stunning, the type is stunningly bad. Set in a primitive font that is almost (but not quite) monospaced with a very thin stroke. Spacing is horrid -- right justified with oddly wide word spacing. Overall: Very hard to read, distracting. Looks like they did it deliberately, trying to achieve some kind of fashion or stylistic statement. I wonder what statement they had in mind? Maybe: Don't read the text, just look at the pictures. A real shame. I expect more from an $80 art book.

5 comments about Architecture Exam Review, Volume I: Structural Topics.

1. I gave it 5 stars because I just passed all 9 of ARE. For mutiple choice divisions. I only studied the Architecture Exam Review Volume I/II and flash card, plus Graphic Standard, Chin's Illastrated books and some downloaded online documents. These togeather covered more than 70% of exam topics, by applying common sense or just guessing for the remaining 30% questions, most people should have no problem to pass ARE.
   Instead of studing many 1000 page books and couldn't remember any contants, I found it's more efficient to study just few smaller books Thoroughly.



2. I bought this book as a structural topics refresher for the Architectural Engineering Professional Engineering exam. I was an AE structural option in college, so I knew all this stuff at some point, but I haven't looked at in five years! This book provides a great refresher, reminding you of the important things so you don't get bogged down studying theory from class notes. It's pretty thorough and covers an excellent range of topics (loads, connections, wood, steel, concrete, masonry, etc.). A few qualifiers:
   1) Because I was a structural option, the topics were easier to grasp/recall. If you aren't familiar with structural concepts, this may not be your only resource, as it does not go into extreme explanation. The book assumes you have at least been introduced to the topics.
   2) This covers the basics. You aren't going to get into plastic vs. elastic analysis, indeterminite analysis (outside of trusses), etc. But if you are looking for one user-friendly book to cover 80% of what you need to know, this is it!
   3) Well-written. Good pictures and brief explanations. Goes into just enough detail to cover what really matters.
   4) Has sufficient tables and graphs (borrowed from ACI 318, AISC, NDS, etc.) so you don't have to buy those to cross reference. Examples illustrate how to use the tables and graphs.
   5) Good sample problems with explanations of why the wrong answers are wrong.
   6) Some of the code references are a few years outdated.



3. I found the Ballast guides to be concentrated specifically on the exams that we are acutally going to take. The subjects were organized and concise. Not too much time was spent on "advanced" topics not necessary for the structural topics tested in the exam. It provided most of the rules of thumbs that can be used by architects not only for the exam, but everyday practice. One could purchase the guide strictly as a desk side companion.



4. This book is a complete study guide for the major structural topics and questions for the architectural licensing exam. My overall enthusiasm for this book was average. I found that there were chapters that were too vague or simply did not have enough information on specific equations. I also found that I did have to supplement the studying from this book with my own notes from my structures courses along with additional study material from other sources. I do recommend this book for anyone wishing to brush up on thier studying for the Lateral Forces and General Structures portions of the ARE/NCARB. Keep in mind, as with any other division of the exam, this would not be a single source for study material.



5. This book offers a great summary of the main issues tested in the A.R.E. Although it should not be used as the only resource to study from, it explains most of the terms in a clear and concise manner. Be forewarned, the book does not provide enough information to pass any of the 9 parts. The test taker must use other resources to find and understand all of the required information to prepare successfully for the exam.

No comments about Reading Architectural Plans: For Residential and Commercial Construction, 4th Edition.

3 comments about The New American Apartment: Innovations in Residential Design and Construction: 30 Case Studies (New American).

1. After purchasing The New American House (Vol 1-3), The New American Cottage, and The New American Swimming Pool which are all excellant books, I ordered The New American Apartment and was severely disappointed.

   I SENT THE BOOK BACK! (if that gives you any idea of my satisfaction.)
   
   There are several interesting photos but unless you have several million dollars, the designs and concepts are so unapproachable to the average person that the book was useless for my needs. This is the same kind of stuff they show in Architectural Digest (as opposed to Fine Homebuilding.)




2. A must have book for a library collection of inspirational modern design. The Book outlines each architect's space with dramatic and all encompassing views along with drawings to further explain the concepts. It left me wanting more!



3. This is a very good looking lexicon from cover to cover, yet it is more of a starting point in the design mode than a technical manual. I usually don't spend much for books, but this is one exception I can make with little after thought.

1 comments about Architectural Metals: A Guide to Selection, Specification, and Performance.

1. This book is not for everyone, but if you have a desire to understand architectural metals and how each is used in everyday application, then this is a good starting point. It includes full chapters on each type of metal used in finish design, aluminum, copper, alloys, iron and steel, and even how to coat them be it annodizing or painting. Each chapter fully describes the benefits and characteristics of the metal and explains how to maitain the metal. It also tells how to joint pieces together be it soldering or welding.
   
   Reading this book give a person a lot of insight into architectural metals. Architects and engineers will benefit the most, but anyone with a passing fancy in this subject will find the book positively fascinating.

No comments about Architectural Delineation: Presentation Techniques and Projects.

No comments about Simplified Design of Building Structures (Parker/Ambrose Series of Simplified Design Guides).