No comments about Blueprint for Greening Affordable Housing.

No comments about Club Design.

5 comments about Land Development Handbook (Handbook).

1. This is a good reference book, filled with useful texts and details. However, it could be a little more compact and more organize in terms of using section and sub-section to sort things out. That way, it's easier and faster for readers to reference and/or looking up certain topics.



2. very resourceful and informative.
   highly suggest this book if land development is new, or even want something for reference.



3. As a general civil engineer in private practice this book has provided a good overview on the more abstract side of land development including financing, rezoning, and public involvement. All of which, are topics that typical engineers strugle with as it is not the enjoyable aspect of what engineers are trained to do. Nevertheless, these abstract components are just as real as the plans we develop. Of course, the book is excellent for hands on design and calculation support.



4. As a novice developer, this book put me on the right track without all the confusion and terms I would have never understood. It was simple to understand and after reading it, I felt like I knew a lot more. Very interesting and satisfying. Great reference guide all the way around.



5. I primarily work as a structural-architectural engineer and am becoming more and more involved in civil-site work. This handbook is exactly what I was looking for in terms of something that would quickly get me "up to speed" in the fundamentals of civil-site design.
   Of course, no single book could (or should) be thought of as a substitute for the experience and mentoring received from seasoned professionals in a design office, but this one has enough technical explanation and details to get you going with confidence.
   I choose this one over the Colley book (reviewed both before making purchase) as Land Development Handbook has more of the technical info that engineers would seek.

1 comments about Glass House.

1. Architecture without walls:
   The "Glass House" by Philip Johnson, Toshio Nakamura and Monacelli Press.
   
   Can you take along with you the Parthenon, the Pyramid of Giza, The Taz-Mahal, the Spanish Steps, the Meinji-Jingu Shrine , the Kimbell Art Museum following your visit to them ? Well, NO ! But you may carry with you memories, mostly fragments, sometimes highly poetic other times adverse. The nuisance of the camel owner trying to seduce you to a ride up-there, or of the striking ministry of culture personnel who would not issue you tickets up to the Holly precinct the day of your visit , may cover the negative end. The highly poetic and memories of the serene and eternal could be the sound of the gravel and the singing of the birds before the abrupt turn at the Meinji Jingu at the point you just see the shrine at the distance, similar and everlasting to the memories when visiting Kahn's great museum at Forth Worth...!
   But in the Architecture without walls , THE BOOK, you can have all of the above at your fingertips, in the highest of memory, feeling and the Poetic . There is no doubt in my mind that one of the best such books ever created on Architecture is the "Glass House" by Monacelli Press.
   This book represents for me "Architecture in its entirety", that is , an evaluative and interpretive presentation of the work of Architectural Act in time: the building in its context, as conceived , built and even criticized by its architect ; as evolved along with its meaning and the interpretations of its critics ; through its contribution to architecture by means of experimentation and materials of the era, and finally through the ever-evolving advancement of its architect to "inclusiveness" and "Permissiveness", as evidenced though his other works that spot the estate. A book of the meta-user shortcomings and the need for restoration and further up-keep, through the most sympathetic argument and persuasion. From the highest poetic and contemplative to the lowest but real trivial, the gavel flat roof that needs to be mended...Superceding all of the above is the books exquisite photography. Some shots taken from levels no lay viewer can hardly experience, while other shots are intimate and personal as only the owner and his close guests had the joy to enjoy. The textures of pictures , the included drawings and the text , both in visual as well in meaning and suggestion depth , are as poetic as any great poem or haiku could ever reach. In philosophical terms the book is an assembly of "Logos" and Cosmotheory : of the architect (Philip Johnson), of the men who visited and were affected by it (Toshio Nakamura), of the photographer (Michael Moran) , of the publisher who produced it, of the draftsmen who drew the architectural drawings, of the book designers (Michael Rock and Susan Sellers), of the reader who by reading or just going through its pages becomes part of the building's history , the closest to the building a lay person could ever be.
   In this sense, the BOOK , the "Glass House" , is , I believe , superior even to any museum that presents works of Art; because the commentary of the art work is usually missing from a museum's presentation, and the visitor can hardly be said to be able to take away with him the whole, unless perhaps a catalogue of the works presented. A "Library" of books on a particular Art work, may perhaps be close to what I suggest for anyone who has visited it , and perhaps more so, for those who have not visited the work. So, I view the book the "Glass house"as a total museum , a work of Architecture without walls, an Art-work that can be carried home, always ready to please the reader with a repeated visit to the artifact, a personal contemplation and enjoyment, even a further interpretation under new circumstances of life and events. An eternal holistic museum for as long as it is out on circulation or kept in libraries. I very strongly recommend it to any reader, a unique gift to oneself without hesitation.
   
   Anthony C. Antoniades

4 comments about George Washington Smith: An Architect's Scrapbook.

1. George Washington Smith, 1976-1930, was one of the most talented architects practicising in the Spanish Colonial Revival style and this book is a product of clippings from the remains of his own scapbook of published work. Aside from a brief introduction, there is no text except for that which originally accompanied the photos from 1920s magazines. All photos are only from the period. Although George Washington Smith was acclaimed during his lifetime in Southern California where his designs were built, magazines' shift of focus to other styles probably contributed to his lack of nation-wide recognition today. His surviving homes are now greatly prized and premium priced, however. This is a great resource for all interested in the Southern California Spanish Colonial Revival style.



2. Located exact item I needed and it was promptly delivered. I am a first time user and was very satisfied with the process. I will definitely use you again.



3. This is a fascinating book on a singular talent. It was so interesting to see images and articles, gathered from the era in which Mr. Smith practiced. The photos are wonderful and the text is highly informative. George Washington Smith was the foremost master of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and this book honors him. I highly recommend it to anyone with any interest whatsoever in this style of architecure, you wont be disappointed, it is a long awaited tribute to one of the finest American residental architects of the 20th century.



4. This is truely is a must have book for anyone remotely interested in Santa Barbara architecture. Beautiful images and sketches of the historic work of George Washington Smith make up this coffee table treasure. Highly reccommended.

No comments about Asian Style Hotels: Bali, Java, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand.

5 comments about Cottage: America's Favorite Home Inside and Out.

1. Book in excellent condition...I guess I like this book a lot (after I received it, I noticed I already owned it!



2. If you are looking for small scale, cozy cottages you will be disappointed. For example, at page 37 there is a very comtemporary box style, three story structure, perhaps 2,800 square feet; the facade is deceptively board and batten, painted barn red. The living/dining/kitchen is one big open room, perhaps 36' by 14' with a 16' high ceiling. One outside wall, 36 by 16, is glass, which is impressive, but not conducive to an intimate, cozy milieu.
   
   At page 77 there is a three story prefab 'art moderne' structure that makes an impressive architectural statement, but it is by no stretch a "cottage".
   
   At page 187 is a remodeled barn: it's three stories, all open inside, ceilings 16 feet or more high, with a wall of glass. It's certainly not a cottage. It doesn't even look much like a barn anymore.
   
   
   The book cover suggests "each of the cottages is intimately scaled, seamlessly linked to the landscape...", which is just merchandising, promotional nonsense. For the most part these structures are just large houses, ego statements for the owner and architect. The authors are revisionists, changing the meaning of 'cottage' to include whatever they wished to put in their book.



3. I love cottage style and have a nice collection of books. Based on consumer reviews I bought it and boy was I disappointed. It was, to say the least, a snooze as far as the photos go. Since I cannot afford to buy a home presently, I love to get lost in the photos of a wonderfully photographed book. This is NOT one of them.



4. A sampling of cottages from across the country - backgrounds on the owners of the cottages, beautiful interior and exterior pictures and floor plans. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and looking at the pictures - very inspirational.



5. Excellent book, great ideas for people that have lake homes and are looking for ideas for building and decorating. Highly recommend it.

2 comments about Abbot Suger on the Abbey Church of St. Denis and Its Art Treasures.

1. "This was precisely...what St. Bernard had thundered against...
   No figure painting or sculpture...,gems, pearls, gold and silk were forbidden...
   Suger, however, was frankly in love with splendor and beauty in every
   conceivable form."
   [On the Abbey Church of St. Denis]
   One of the few early accounts on the gothic cathedral building. Introduction itself is worth the money. Mr. Panofsky is explaining political, social and personal influences that together with Suger's psychological traits led to the construction of what is supposed to be the first Gothic catedral - St. Denis. The keyword here is "influences" - do not expect to learn the construction process or anything of that kind. Account itself does not contains many construction details, but deserves your attention indeed. Kind regards, Mario.



2. This is an OPUS MAGNUS of profound erudition! An indispensable must have for any student of Gothic Art & Architecture. From sheathed shafts thrusting upwards penetrating groin vaults to the most scholarly look nto this seminal figure in the Middle Ages, this text has it all! While certainly not a light read, it is a and important and pivotal work in the scholarship of the beginning of the Gothic era. It should be more readily available.

5 comments about Precision Framing.

1. It is a good book for reading but not as a refrence. If you in the trade and want a book for the plane ride...ok. But will you learn anything new...Maybe. If you read JLC (Journal of Light Construction) and keep up with the trade you won't find anything new here. If you a novice with basic knowledge and want an overview of building that is well written but poorly photographed and lacking when it comes to illustrations...then buy the book. For refrence and true learning for not just professionals but every day people I would recommend JLC Field Guides or Graphic Guide to Framing...either will suit you well no matter what your level of skill.



2. This book was very helpful at introducing me to the framing trade. It is nicely laid out and eay to understand, but requires a small amount of construction knowledge for the reader to gain the full benefit. I'm from Washington State and although the book describes building practices from other parts of the country, with the help and advice from local builders and suppliers, I was able to successfully build a 2600 square foot two story home.



3. I have many books on framing and this is one of the best. I found the info on using engineered I-beams in clear language. This series (For Pros, by Pros) is worth every penny of the price.



4. Very easy to understand book with all the basics covered with one exception. No attempt at covering stair cutting. That is why I only gave it 4 stars.

   One thing that should be pointed out is this book is more modern than any other framing book I have seen. They spend alot of time covering wood i-joists for floor framing.

   If you have access to back issues of Fine Homebuilding and can find Mike and Rick's past articles you will have much of the information covered in the book. However, it is nice to have it all in one place with some added information.

   Overall, I highly recommend the book.




5. This book provides an unexpected but invaluable dimension over most books on the general aspects of building residential structures. Super for serious beginners (like me) or do-it yourself builders moving beyond basic projects and carpentry training/books into larger scale projects. Written by authors evidently experienced in running small but highly skilled crews, this book takes you through most of the critical steps of building with great annotations of why things are done, how to expect and correct imperfections, and the understanding that precision is based on care and comprehension.
   Well-selected photos demonstrate a lot of unique tools and small-crew/equipment teams working with great care. It is more of a course that an encyclopedia, and that's a great feature as a learning text.
   This book added a lot of real understanding to techniques I had learned from other sources. It is written from a first person and cordial perspective that makes it enjoyable to read. You may not be able to get experience from a book, but this is pretty close.
   It must be a lot of fun working with these people.

1 comments about 4dspace: Interactive Architecture (Architectural Design).

1. This book was recommended to me by a trusted source. However once I got it, the material in the book is a out of date remix of many existing sources already available online listed under the topic of media architecture. It may also suffer from an affliction many of these types of books have which is once they are published they are already out of date. Also, for the price I expected a more comprehensive view.