1 comments about Time Saver Standards for Architectural Design : Technical Data for Professional Practice, 8th Ed..

1. Excerpt: Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design, 8th edition, is a ref¬erence for architects, design and construction professionals, and edu¬cators.
   
   It represents the result of more than a half-century of documenting the knowledge and technical database for architectural practice. Over 80 authors and experts have contributed to the present volume, either with entirely new articles or, in other cases, updating topics and rec¬ommendations developed over many decades.
   How to Use This Book
   Scan the first-page summaries. The volume can be quickly scanned to provide an overview of the entire scope of architectural practice data. On the first page of each article, there is an introductory summary as well as key words, also found in the Index.
   I
   Use the Index for topic search. All topics covered in text, figures, and tables are listed in the Index, providing a cross-reference to locate specific content items.
   
   Read introductory articles and each specific topic article. Each topic area and separate article presents a series of layers of increasing de-tail, beginning with introductory articles. Highlights of each article are presented through illustrations and text, including checklists of key design criteria. References at the end of each article list sources and citations.
   
   Use the CD-ROM for easy access to selected articles with more data and detail. The CD-ROM Table of Contents is at the end of this volume, just before the Index.
   Build your knowledge like a building. Topics in this volume are organized like the process of building a building, "from the ground up." This conforms to the Uni format II classification system, beginning with foundations and proceeding through superstructure, enclosure, interiors, and services. It parallels the sequence and elements by which the ar¬chitecture and construction process is logically conceived.
   Companion Volumes in the Time-Saver Standards Series
   The focus of this volume of Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design, 8th edition, is the architectural design and building project, as defined in architectural practice, including all technical aspects of its design and construction.
   
   Two additional recent titles of the Time-Saver Standards series follow a similar format and serve as companion volumes and additional ref¬erences:
   
   Time-Saver Standards for Building Materials and Systems, 1st edition (2000), is a compilation of technical details and checklists for specifi¬cation and selection data. It is an ideal companion volume for the building designer and construction specifier.
   
   Time-Saver Standards for Urban Design, 1st edition (2003), is an archival compilation of articles and references from the past 100 years, documenting the values and knowledge base of urban design. It covers topics beyond the scale of building to include urban design and planning.

3 comments about Buildings of Earth and Straw: Structural Design for Rammed Earth and Straw-Bale Architecture.

1. Learn how to build with earth, and straw. The one thing I didn't like about the book is that there are no photo's of finished projects.



2. This book educates the lay builder of "earth and straw" about the technical side of the mentioned building methods. This technical lingo is explained clearly for the person's understanding. This book bridges the gap between building inspetors and the "alternative" builder by increasing the technical knowledge of basic building structures and forces.



3. This book is definitely the funniest structural engineering book I have ever read. It is also useful for the professional, intelligible to the general reader, and attractively illustrated. King includes California's straw bale code, a comprehensive wish list for further testing, and a useful list of references for both stabilized earth and straw bale. Included are equations for the engineer who is ready to start designing right now, and a glossary for the lay reader who isn't quite sure of some of the terms. A valuable book which is also enjoyable to read. This is not always true of engineering texts!

No comments about Architectural Sketching and Rendering: Techniques for Designers and Artists.

1 comments about Residential Windows: A Guide to New Techonologies and Energy Performance, Third Edition.

1. I used the first two editions of this book to educate myself about modern windows. This knowledge was used to design and build a passive solar house at 7300' in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, where the winters are often severe. The design was successful since the heat has been left off for more than three years, yet the house stayed comfortable year round.
   
   Residential Windows is written at a semi-technical level that is ideal for builders, architects, and home owners. I have given several copies away (including this third edition) and recommended it without reservation to many others. All the issues pertaining to windowing are explained lucidly and are well illustrated. Other than a Consumers Union style review of named makes and models (which it scrupulously avoids doing), you could hardly ask for more.

3 comments about Property Management.

1. This is a good general introduction to the business of property management. This textbook includes chapters on
   
   1. Professional Property Management
   2. Property Management Economics and Planning
   3. Managing Owner Relations
   4. Marketing Management
   5. Managing Leases
   6. Managing Lease Negotiations
   7. Managing Tenant Relations
   8. Managing Maintenance and Construction
   9. Managing Reports and Insurance
   10.Managing the Office
   11.Managing Federal and State Laws
   12-16. Managing Residential/Specialized/Office/Retail/Industrial Property
   17.Managing Life Safety and Environmental Issues
   
   There are chapter questions with elaborated answers in the back of the book to guide your studies and a pretty decent glossary for many of the business-specific terms.
   
   Obviously, as a general course, it is not intended to address ANY topic in great detail and it is unlikely that most readers will find a need to cover the management of such a variety of property types. But this is the starting place.
   
   I have owned and managed rental property and the parts of the book addressing residental property rang true. If you are considering getting into the rental business or property management business, this is a good initial resource.



2. Took this course a few years ago, and we used this book. It is a good starter book. There are others out there that could be used also, but this one is written at the average persons reading level. It also is good becuase it covers all properties not just apartments or retail etc..



3. This book is good at the summary at the end of each chapter, but some details in the chapter is not cover. For example, like the law requirement in TX. There is mistake in the book on page 9. On the figure1.3, supposed Heavy Manufacturing instead of Industrial Real Estate repeat twice. This book should provide some excerise to work on. For example, like the math problem, let us know how to calculate the formula.

No comments about Blue Monday: Stories of Absurd Realities and Natural Philosophies.

3 comments about Studio at Large: Architecture in Service of Global Communities.

1. This is a great book for both those people who are interested in learning about or those people who are already familiar with environmentally friendly "green" building pratices used in sustainable architecture. Studio at Large specifically chronicles the achievements of the UW BASIC Initiative program that Sergio Palleroni and his colleagues created in 1995. It is fascinating and moving to see the impact this work has on the local and global levels in society.



2. Prof. Sergio Palleroni teaches the "art-and-science" of "architecture" the old fashion way--with leadership and passion! He's not affraid of rolling up his sleeves, soiling his boot and spending his summer vacations whith his students (the future leaders): teachong design, scheduling and building sustainable communities in the "developing countries."



3. Its good to see that the rural studios work is not unique but rather part of a movement, with other brilliant examples such as the work documented in this book. Beautifully illustrated. Probably the most in depth discussion I've read on the methods and challenges of work among the poor and underserved.
   A great contribution to architectures claim to relevance.

1 comments about Cities: X Lines: Approaches to City and Open Territory Design.

1. This ambitious production presents a well organized and defined typology of urban form. The ten categories comprising the 'x' in the title, are explained by way of a logical progression of contemporary case studies and historical precedents. Each chapter is divided into two parts, a collection of images followed by text. The dynamic CAD imagery and radical spatial diagramming provide in-depth analysis of highly complex architectural projects. The text succinctly draws out the key concepts of each of the projects, and more importantly, locates them in an historical continuum.
   
   Despite the value of the text and imagery in themselves, the physical dislocation of the imagery from the related writing (to the point of presenting unlabeled images) can be annoying at times. One imagines the author intended the images to be experienced first without textual guidance as one might experience a visit to an unfamiliar city. It is an interesting idea, but it encroaches on the overall readability of the book as one is forced to flip back and forth excessively.
   
   The organizational structure of the content extends to the physical design of the book itself. Two types of paper are combined in an elegantly produced object. Unfortunately, the library copy which I borrowed was already losing pages from the middle. In a book less than a year old, this indicates a structural problem with the binding. Nonetheless, this is an exciting project that will leave students, educators, and practitioners with a broader understanding of the nature of urban form.

No comments about Great Kids' Spaces.

4 comments about The Architect's Studio Companion, 3rd Edition.

1. Well written, easy to read and comprehend. Great for a student to begin development of a project.



2. This book offers a great way for architecture students to get a handle on some of the issues related to building design. It deals with basic issues of construction including structural systems, mechanical systems, and code considerations. It gives "rules of thumb" and basic descriptions which are great for preliminary design. For example, if you need to roughly size a truss or floor system during schematic design, go the appropriate section for the system you are using, and you'll find handy charts for basic sizing. This is a great book for students who need rough "guestimates" for studio projects.



3. Having this book is like having a half-dozen of the best engineering consultants at your elbow-ready to answer any question that may come up during design. It reduces all the complex technical issues in building design to simple formal elements of know size that are easily merged into the architectural design process. A must-have for professionals and students alike!



4. As an Architecture Student this book has come in very hand. It gives many details of design guidelines and is a wonderful resource book to own.