2 comments about Contemporary Natural.

1. I have alot of books on interior design and style. This is the one I would grab if my house was on fire. If I could crawl in between the pages, I'd take up permanent residence there. This is mostly a picture book. There's little text but tons of awesome photos that speak volumes. I give it my highest recommendation. Spend the money.You won't be disappointed.



2. the natural materials inspired homes of many creative artists around the world - this is a beautifully photographed book of the talents of many people who use natural materials & forms as their medium to express themselves in their own surroundings - absolutely one of my favorite design books !!...

4 comments about Airport Design (Design Books).

1. Airport Design, is quite similar to its sister publication, Aircraft Interiors. Like the inside of an airplane, most people don't really think much of the airport that they are travelling in and out of. In the past, an airport was simply a transition point. Today, the concept of airport cities are becoming a reality, where the airport is its own entity and profit center.
   
   Airport design is not a book for those looking to create airports from an architectural perspective, but rather a picture book of various airports around the world.
   
   The book showcases what airport designers are trying to accomplish, to make airports more appealing places. Airports now are often mall-like, with high-end stores and restaurants. Airports of old were often small and cramped. Newer airports are often measures in millions of square feet and offer amenities well beyond basic travel services.
   
   Airport Design showcases about 50 airports from around the globe, from Atlanta to Zurich. Surprisingly, the book leaves out any mention of middle-eastern airports. This is surprising as Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport was recently placed first in a survey amongst 40 European airports, and the new Dubai World Central International Airport is soon to be the world's largest.
   
   To understand the scale of the Dubai World Central International Airport; it will have an annual cargo capacity in excess of 12 million tons, which 300% more than what FedEx has in Memphis. Its passenger capacity will be in excess of 120 million passengers, which is also 300% more than Atlanta Hartsfield, which for the time being is the world's busiest passenger airport.
   
   For those looking for a pictorial overview of some of the world's most pleasing airports, Airport Design will be a gratifying read.



2. One reviewer here says that this book isn't in English. Well it really has NO language. Each section has just a heading to identify the geographic location of the airport and the architect and a year. It doesn't tell you if that year was when the airport terminal was proposed or when it was finished.
   
   There is NO other information! Nothing about the cost, the size of the building, to say NOTHING about how this terminal is different than any other terminal building. The architectural renderings are very detailed--so much so that they look like photos and might be in some cases. It just leaves me cold and unsatisfied.
   
   Some years ago I encountered another similar book also sourced in Germany. It seems to be in a rare genre that includes only visuals and almost no words. I need more than just pictures. If you do too, DON'T buy this book.
   
   I returned it and took the effort not to recover a few bucks but as a protest about the lack of information in this book.



3. I like this book but its language isnot english.
   next time books must be send me english please..
   I did not read any info about this.



4. If you dont care about architechture and design and hate staying for hours at the airport, then this book is not for you. But if you like good architechture and design and a trip to an airport to you is like a trip to a museum then you are going to like this book. i like to build and design miniture airports and this book inspires my a lot and gives me lots of ideas. the photo and paper quality are excelletnt and the price is a real bargain for 400 cool pages.

3 comments about Mechanical & Electrical Systems in Buildings (4th Edition).

1. This book is terrible. If you are a certified HVAC specialist, it is for you. However, if you are new to this then it is a total waste of money. Explanation is bad, example are nowhere relate to the section discussed. And worst of all, there is no answer keys. You will not have a clue if you are correct or not. Every chapter there are as least half of the review question are calculations, yet in each chapter there will be probably one page showing how calculation is done. Example one of the simplest thing:
   COP = Cooling Effect / Power Input. If you look up the index, you cannot find the word "cooling effect", find out whichever chapter they discuss, or show you how to calculate the "cooling effect".
   You are in luck if you do not have class that uses this book. You have bad luck if you have a "good" teacher that using this book. You are doom if you have a "bad" teacher who using this book, might as well drop it. Waste of time and money.



2. Very good book. Helps you understand the systems inside (and outside) of buildings in use everyday that most folks don't have a clue about. If you are interested in understanding how your building equipment functions this is a good book for you. Down to earth and well written. Recommend to property management personnel.



3. If ur stepping into the building services industry, this book will be a comprehensive packaged info for your reading pleasure. Includes lotsa real-life diagrams, plan routings, concepts and explanation. It's 4am over here in Singapore and I've just finished reading one of the topics, just imagine how attractive the contents this book has! However, the only and regretable drawback is: the units are empirical which make it very difficult for me for in my country, we use SI metric units.

5 comments about PreFab Home.

1. "PreFab Home" is an interesting read for anyone considering building a home, prefab or not. In it, designer and author Michael Buchanan follows one modular house through the design, building, and decorating processes. However, if you know little to nothing about modular homes, you might be disappointed with the scope of "PreFab Home."
   
   "PreFab Home" is divided into five chapters: History of Modular Construction; The Language of Modular Construction; Design Recipe for a Modular Bungalow; Updating Arts and Crafts Detail; and Creating the Look for Less. As you can see from the chapter headings, the book is as much about designing and decorating a home in general as it is about prefabricated/modular homes specifically. Personally, this came as a bit of a disappointment to me - when I borrowed "Prefab Home" from my library, I expected to find a guide that focused on modular homes: how to choose a dealer and a model, how the construction and installation processes progress, how to shop for a contractor and finishing crew, etc. Decorating a modular home is the same as decorating a stick-built home, so I didn't anticipate much design advice. I wanted to learn about prefab homes, and the title of the book IS "PreFab Home," so I didn't think that my expectations were unreasonable!
   
   Buchanan does touch upon the issues unique to modular homes, including the ones mentioned above. But be warned: his discussion is usually superficial. This is certainly helpful for the merely curious, but if you're really serious about building a modular home, you'll definitely need to purchase additional books to guide you through the process. In many ways, "PreFab Home" is like a glossy brochure for the modular home industry: Buchanan spends more time trying to convince readers that prefab homes can indeed be Fabulous, and less time explaining how exactly you should go about designing, choosing, and building one. A noble cause, yes, but kind of pointless, since anyone who buys a book about modular homes is probably considering buying or building one already!
   
   Also, because the book follows one home from start to finish, Buchanan focuses on one style ad nauseam: the Arts and Crafts bungalow. While he does offer some practical decorating tips that anyone can utilize, in many ways, "PreFab Home" reads (and looks) like an Arts and Crafts tribute album. This is great for fans of the period; not so great if you're less than crazy about frilly, cluttered interior design.
   
   Overall, "PreFab Home" offers a decent introduction to modular homes for newbies. If you know nothing about modular homes and are curious, "PreFab Home" is a nice, light read. If you know nothing about modular homes but are considering building one, "PreFab Home" may or may not be helpful; there are some great photos, but not a lot of practical, hands-on, how-to advice. If you already know the prefab home basics and/or aren't an Arts and Crafts fan, pass this one up.
   
   - Kelly Garbato



2. I am not happy with the purchase. It is a chronical of his journey in doing a Prefab home. Not much else. Not much help in my understanding the overall pluses and minuses of going the prefab direction and what is available.



3. The book was too specific to add significant value to my decision making process. It is not a stand-alone book for people weighing the burden/benefit of prefab homes. In fairness to the writer, I may have been looking for something that this book wasn't meant to deliver.



4. About half of this book (from page 97 on) is devoted to decorating advice, which just isn't what I wanted. In fact, there's very little information here at all...the type is huge and there are many photos (though often the same thing shown from several different angles -- how many photos of room shells being lowered in to place do I need to see to understand how it works?).
   
   The book starts with an intro to prefab housing, which is fine, but better covered, IMHO, in the book Prefab Modern. The next section deals with the actual house construction, which was more useful, but still lacking in helpful detail: for example, the book talks about how they decided to "extend this roofline" but nowhere does it show you the floorplan for the house! There's a sentence that said "Other design alterations had to be made due to building codes, wind velocity, shipping and factory capabilities" -- like what? If I'm thinking about building a prefab home those are the questions I'd like detailed in more specific.
   
   The bottom line, to me, is that if you know anything about how a prefab home works (because you've done online research or read another book like Prefab Modern) there will be little in this book that is new.



5. I've known of moduler homes for a long time and have basically rejected them as sort of a house trailer without wheels. Then a few years ago I regularly passed by a lot on which a house was being build. It followed the traditional pattern: earth work, foundation, and so on. One day as I drove by, I noticed a lot of trucks with big house components parked by the site, and a big crane. I was busy so I didn't stop. The next day the whole house was there and it didn't look like a house trailer at all.
   
   I stopped by to talk to them. The contractor, a specialist in this type of construction asked me: "Do you notice what you don't see around here." "No," I had to answer. "A big dumpster - Modular houses don't produce the waste of a stick built house." "And all this stuff just fits together," I asked. "Yup! It's all built inside a factory where they have jigs and fittings to hold everything to square angles and exact dimensions." Then you look at buying in bulk rather than just a few sticks at a time, and it's substantially lest costly.
   
   This is the first book I've seen that goes into this kind of construction from start to finish. It covers every question I could think of to ask from start to finish. Anybody thinking of building or buying a house of any size should start with this book

1 comments about The Pantheon: Design, Meaning, and Progeny.

1. William L. MacDonald presents an unpretentious and sound survey of Rome's most famous yet least understood architectural icon. For those with a keen but novitiate interest in the Pantheon, or casual readers of Roman history, this book is ideal; it's not overwhelmingly fact-laden and it's as assimilable as an afternoon snack. For those interested in the engineering, logistics and constitution of the Pantheon I would suggest some of the recent work by the Engineer David Moore. Historically MacDonald's ideas are consistent with previous analyses and include an interesting metaphysical supposition for the Pantheon's ambitious dimensions ("to unify unities...is the Pantheons ultimate meaning" - pg. 88). The final chapter offers an insightful survey of similar designs from ancient Mycenae to Neoclassical American, showing how influencing, and influenced, Hadrian's rebuilt Pantheon was as a western idiom and architectural paragon.
   
   All-in-all I enjoyed reading this book and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it!

2 comments about The Office Interior Design Guide: An Introduction for Facility and Design Professionals (Wiley Professional).

1. This item arrived quickly and in good condition. This book is a good start for an office designer. A lot of basics.



2. After sourcing out dozens of books on office interior design, I found Julie Rayfield's Guide To Office Interior Design more than helpful. It was a real gift from heaven! I'm totally new to the world of design and about to start a job in sales and management for an international office furniture supplier and designer. I needed some information quickly. And I wanted it in a user-friendly, comprehendible manner. Reading the Gudie to Office Interior Design was like doing a crash-course in interior design without the heavy technical approach you would normally be subjected to.

   The book recognises that office design and execution is no simple task. It does what few books do - offers numerous ideas and tools to get the job done perfectly in a step-by-step guide that makes sense. It's a real life saver because using the outlines and project-oriented structure it offers, you can't go wrong. It's like a map that will get you exactly where you want to go without the sweat, drama, and disappointment that you could face if you weren't sure what to do or which direction to take.

   If you need a simple, easy to understand and very useful guide to office interior design, you can't get a better book than this. Highly recommended.

3 comments about The Swedish House.

1. The Swedish (original) edition is titled "Swedish wooden houses" which is quite an essential piece of information for a buyer. That's what's linking the humblest farmers hut with a grand manor in this book. The emphasis is on interiors and some are more than lightly deteriorating into a romantic peeling paint and wall-paper inferno, but mainly it's a fair selection of different types of rooms. Exteriors are also present and I think there is a good balance. Photograps are excellent as always when Ingalill Snitt provides them.



2. Sjoberg is the quintessential art historian and his book captures the history and soul of Swedish architecture beautifully.
   
   The photos and related text guide you through a brief history of the traditional houses and building styles found in Sweden. By looking thoughtfully at the photos, you'll get a clear view of how these houses are constructed and why they are still standing today after years of abandonment and neglect.
   
   If you ever visit Sweden (and go beyond Skansen in Stockholm), you'll see these "silent houses" throughout the countryside. Sjoberg brings them back to life with his deep understanding of their history and relevance to the 21st Century.



3. "The Swedish House" is somewhat of a misleading title.
   The book could be titled "Nice photos by a Swedish photographer." Generally it's old rooms with cracked paint, wood, texture, and other things that make good color photo composition. The book contains few photos of objects that are specifically "Swedish" and few photos of an actual "House." Unfortunately, it's just not very useful to someone who wants to see what a "Swedish House" looks like.

1 comments about 325 New Home Plans for 2007: Today's Top Home Designs Updated Classics for Today's Homeowner.

1. I had expected to see a walk through of home design color picture inside the book. But it just had one home in color (5 pages) and the rest of the 250 pages had just black and white exterior home designs and layout.
   
   I would suggest in your selection process for a internet buyer to give a brief of the book, not just by the looks of the cover. In fact the introduction states interior and exterior. Some of the previous books I purchased had a walk through of each home, I mean the interior of the sitting, bedroom, kithcen etc etc... Not really usefull after my purchase, this applies to two other books as well I bought along with this order, "Two-Story Homes" Second Edition and "Europeon Dream Homes" Second Edition.

5 comments about Getaways: Carefree Retreats for All Seasons.

1. I've read dozens of decorating and vacation home books and this was worth every penny...I totally enjoyed reading it!



2. Getaways provides 224 pages of large, gorgeous, color pictures. There are antiques, piles of books, bedcoverings, lamps, gardens, accents, and fixtures... there are a variety of styles displayed and too much to mention. Each picture creates its own feeling and it is easy to pick & choose to make your own perfect 'getaway'. We used some basic ideas for wallcoverings, flooring, curtains, and lighting to make our perfect little escape!



3. I saw this book in an expensive little shop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee last August, and later bought it cheaper over the internet. After reading several negative reviews here, and knowing the quality of this volume, I can't understand why people would not love this book. Contrary to what two reviewers state here, it is not a small volume and the photographs are extremely well done. They range from a picturesque dock out over a body of water to sunrooms, bedrooms, libraries, old desks, etc, with associated text, and most here can be done by people with any decent and modest budget.

   I just wish I had this book last year when we had a house built, but it is useful now anyway. It is a treasure worthy of more than five stars.




4. Ms. Madden captured the essence of getting away, and right in your own home!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it gave me several ideas that I could apply to my own living situation. It's fun to just step into the homes of people that we'll never meet. The photos and text were just great. Keep on writing Chris we love it!!!



5. This book allows one to dive into the lives of the rich and famous and see first hand the enviromment where those such as celebirites go to relax. This book is creative and one of a kind!!!

1 comments about Homes in the Heartland: Balloon Frame Farmhouses of the Upper Midwest (Fesler-Lampert Minnesota Heritage).

1. Art history teacher Fred W. Peterson presents Homes in the Heartland: Balloon Frame Farmhouses of the Upper Midwest, the true story of the architectural phenomenon of balloon frame house construction that pervaded Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin from 1850 to 1920, which allowed settlers to establish affordable permanent frontier homes. Homes in the Heartland examines the social, economic, and aesthetic aspects of these homes, including their impact both on architectural history and on the lives of the people who lived in them. Enhanced with more than 150 black-and-white illustrations such as vintage photographs and house plans, as well as brand new preface for its paperback edition, Homes in the Heartland is a welcome addition to college library and American architectural history shelves.