5 comments about Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings, 9th Edition.

1. used as a textbook, but even if not would make an excellent companion to any elec mech class.



2. If you want to know more than most Architects and Engineers about how to design the guts of buildings this is the book to use. It's a fat guy though! Sometimes the text seems to weigh you down. Most architectural students consider it a sloug! But, once they graduate, they use it throughout their careers as design professionals. If you want to know how to develop a regional climatic response strategy for your building or development, calculate passive ventillation rates or heat gains and losses on unique configurations of wood, siding and insulation; size gutters or a rain water catchment system or plan for an elevator, this is the book for you.



3. This is the best reference for Architects and students studying mech. & elec. equipment



4. If you are an engineer engaged in the design of mechanical and electrical systems for commercial and institutional buildings, you may find this your most valuable reference for an overview of theory and best practices for the entire gamut of building systems.
   
   I did find a bit too much enthusiasm for environmentally friendly and energy-conserving new ideas. Many of these technologies are worth following but have economic results that will not serve your clients well.
   
   I am a professional engineer (leading my own firm) with 40 years of experience and have a huge library including the eighth and ninth editions of this book; it's one of my favorites.
   
   It's must reading for a new engineer because you will be able to understand the basics of areas that are new to you with an hour or two of study.



5. My part of this book (mechanical and plumbing) is designed to first show how to minimize the need for mechanical equipment by designing with the climate and site firmly in mind. First configure a building to optimize daylighting, solar heating, and various climate-appropriate passive cooling methods. Also, to store rainwater when appropriate. Then, proceed to choose and size the back-up equipment. In this way, designers conserve non-renewable energy, utilize natural (on-site) energy sources, and also help building occupants stay in touch with the outdoors. I believe that we'll tend to care more about a clean outdoor environment if we are kept aware of its condition.
   For a summary of this approach, read Chapter One. I hope you enjoy this book, even when it is your textbook! That was my object. Suggestions? I'm at jreyn@darkwing.uoregon.edu

No comments about Wadia Associates New Classicists: Distinguished Residential & Interior Design.

2 comments about Design Details for Health: Making the Most of Interior Design's Healing Potential (Wiley Series in Healthcare and Senior Living Design).

1. How long does a book remain useful after it is published? Most books, especially reference books don't last. "Design Details for Health" seems fresh even thought it has been a decade since it first came out. As Wayne Ruga said: ". . . this book is a reference standard with timeless value."
   
   Granted, nowhere in the book will you see the term "Evidence-based Design" used, because that phrase was not in widespread use a decade ago. But the book is packed with useful ideas that would be of real value to Interior Designers working on HealthCare projects.
   
   In 300 pages Ms. Leibrock covers the entire field of Healthcare in depth. Long-term care, Subacture Care, Ambulatory Care and Inpatient Hospitals each gets a section with several chapters. The writing is clear and very practical. Frequent references to "real world" projects are given with pictures and floor plans.
   
   Summary:
   
   * Great Comprehensive Reference Book for Interior Designers working in HealthCare
   
   Pros:
   
   * Practical advice that is easy to access.
   
   * A well constructed book with high quality paper.
   
   Cons
   
   * Very little about the use of Art in Healthcare
   
   * Lots of floor plans and useful photographs, but only a few are in color.
   
   Ms. Leibrock is the principal/founder of EASY ACCESS TO HEALTH (www.AgingBeautifully.org) in Ft. Collins, Colorado, a firm that offers consulting services in patient centered design, planning for independent living. She was selected as a Changemaker in 2002 by the Center for Health Design.



2. I am a professional Health Care interior designer who is always looking for resources to enhance my knowledge base for creating healing enviornments in the health care market. A few years ago I attended, along with about 300 other designers, a presentation by a nationally known health care designer. At the end of the 1.5 hr. lecture, there were six of us left. The focus of the talk was entirely philosophical: there were no gems of knowledge or tools we could take back to our design practices to make our projects better. Ms. Leibrock certainly doesn't have to worry about anyone leaving her presentation. The book has been delegated to my reference shelf and I am sure will become dog-earred.

   The specific types of healing environments included in the book range from birthing centers to long-term care facilities and all that is in-between. The philosophical issues are presented and then followed by research findings and case studies which support those concepts. Then the GEMS! Lists and lists and lists of hands-on guidelines which are distilled from the vast experience and research of the author.

5 comments about Minimum.

1. John Pawson is one of my favorite architects, and this book perfectly highlights and demonstrates his minimalist approach. Light on text, heavy on beautiful photos. It's also gorgeously bound with a simple but rich cloth cover with beautiful type. It even came shrink-wrapped to ensure that it wasn't damaged during shipping. Everything about it is perfect.
   
   For such an inexpensive book, I couldn't have been more surprised. I can't recommend this highly enough.



2. Picture book on Pawson's theory of minimum, with snapshots across the history of architecture. Nice intro to Pawson before moving on to his works book. Pleasant read/look but you may wish to go straight to works.



3. I'm surprised by all of the good reviews. I don't recommend this book, unless its main purpose is to sit on a coffee table and look pretty.
   
   The pictures are decent, though many of them look grainy as if they've been blown up to fit the page. But perhaps the most disappointing part of the book was the text. Each picture has merely a paragraph devoted to description, and to compound that frustration, the font is so small (probably 6 point), I had to keep my eyes inches from the page. It would be understandable if the publisher were trying to save room, but clearly that's not the case, as an entire white page is devoted to a small paragraph, which is consequently crammed so near the binding that I had to pry the book apart to read the text. I realize that this style is probably meant to reflect the book's title, but I don't think moving the text to the middle of an already blank page would disrupt this.
   
   There are better books elsewhere.



4. This book is interesting. The book reveals what constitutes Pawson's thinking. Thru the graphic representations of photographic art, sculpture, ancient buildings, paintings, places, details, gardens, and ruins; Pawson powerfully visualizes his stance. At each image Pawson carefully crafts little notes to explain why he likes that particular image. A reader will easily grasp that Pawson's journey towards the absolute essentials was not created thru either erasing lines in drawings or reading some philosophical statements. But thru the years of his own site visits and foot work. Sometimes I felt flattered that some of my favorites were chosen as his favorites; othertimes, I found places and artists that I've never heard. I was able to rely on his notes because of his comments on my favorites. Only a person who has visited multiple times to his likings can write such succinct and insightful comments. Due to the intensity of the content and the nature of words, this book could also function like a daily meditation book. By that I mean, you can read it in two hours or you can read an image per day and extend the duration to two years. In a digitally mediated age, clapping hands to the loud voices/ moving fast/ diversity of thoughts, Pawson's book deliberately shuts mouth/ stand still/ seek simple equilibrium.



5. The book is not just about architecture. The author wants to convey a philosophy about minimalism to the readers. The book shows that the value of minimum is pervasive in every aspect of our life. At first, I was a littel bit disappointed about the content and the pictures (since I would like to see more modern architectural design). But later on, I found this book very intriguing. I think readers need to think when reading the book, try to get the communality of all the pictures from this book and come up with your own interpretation of what minimalism means. Of course, it takes time to derive your intellectual definition. But it is okay. Just take your time and you will enjoy the process of thinking in abstractive manner. Both the thinking process and results will guide your future design, aesthetics, and life style.

5 comments about AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C..

1. this is a remarkable book--it is a must for anyone curious about the architecture of our nation's capitol (and even the briefest walk around town will make one curious). the selections are interesting and very well written; the reviews are largely objective and that was a relief. one major flaw in this book is the lack of good or appropriate photography to support the descriptions--i found myself confused when reading descriptions of buildings i wasn't standing right in front of and trying to decipher what i was supposed to see in the photo provided. for such an exceptional architectural guide, the author should really consider splurging on better and more descriptive photos! i thought setting up the guide along suggested walking routes was helpful as well.
   
   one more thing--why no comment or information on that odd and misplaced structure stuck on to the side of the washington monument?



2. Of course, Washington DC is known for immense neo-classicism, designed by the country's (and the world's) most important Beaux-Arts architects. This guide does a nice job of presenting the impressive array of neo-classical structures to the reader. The book is really quite good. The essays are well written, for the most part. Editorializing is kept to a minimum, which is nice considering the stark emotions Washington DC is able to inspire. The building selection is also good, with a nice balance between neo-classicism and modernism. I wish the authors had spent a little less time on the neo-classical theme and fleshed out federal Georgetown more. An excursion to Alexandria would have been nice too. I know, you can't have it all.
   
   Most of the photography is off-the-shelf and is characteristically mundane, though practical.



3. A confession: I'm not a big architecture afficionado and had never heard of the AIA or its guides before my in-laws gave me this book, but I do live in Washington and am always looking for new sources of info about the city. This is a great overall guide to DC, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone ranging from locals to tourists.
   
   Why? This book is great for three main reasons.
   
   First, it's a great source of history about the big picture of DC and its most prominent areas as well as the nooks and crannies of the city. At the same time, that history isn't presented in an overwhelming way that makes the reader feel as if s/he is preparing for a high school history test. And even the minutiae that it contains are really pretty interesting, partly due to the high quality of the writing (more on this below.)
   
   Second, it does a great job of organizing the city and guiding the reader through the different areas. All guide books break down the city into areas to some extent, but I often wonder if the writers have actually spent much time in DC. One can always quibble about where certain neighborhoods begin and end, but this book is far better than most and gives a good feel for what the actual areas are really like and how they got that way.
   
   Finally, it's a great source of architectural info about tons of buildings throughout the city. Although I live here, it turns out that I've often walked past many notable buildings without a second glance. Now, not all of these buildings are notable for their strengths (which is one of the fun features of the book - it includes some dogs along with the highlights), but what I've found having read through much of this book is that I now notice some of the more subtle features of the buildings that the book points out.
   
   Best of all, the book is eminently readable, so much so that I have actually used it as bedtime reading to get some entertaining history and insight into my neighborhood - what other guidebook have you done that with? And many of the descriptions are really fun (e.g. the Kennedy Center is what would happen if a "Las Vegas developer were to open a casino under the theme of 'Palace of the Soviets'" since it exhibits a "hefty dose of Stalinist bombast") or at least interesting (e.g. the Eccles Building of the Federal Reserve is "uncomfortably reminiscent of the...work of Albert Speer.")
   
   Now, the book isn't an ideal guidebook since it naturally doesn't include (many) hotels, restaurants or detailed descriptions of the contents of, for example, the National Gallery. But for the first, you only need one rather than a long list, so find it online and skip the rest (assuming you're a tourist since locals don't need that info at all - unless you need someplace to put up your in-laws.) For the second, use Fodor's CityGuide Washington. The last is best available at a place like the National Gallery itself.
   
   Get the Fodor's CityGuide and this book, and you've got a ton of things to explore whether you live here or are just visiting. For visitors, that combination would be more interesting, informative and entertaining than almost any other guidebook on the market for DC (and this book would be great reading if you've got a long trip to DC from, for example, the west coast or Europe.)



4. This guide is a tremendous improvement. The attention to detail is impressive, the guide is timely and VERY informative. I particularly liked the images with each entry. A basic concept and a welcome addition to this edition.
   
   This guide is a must for MD/DC/VA natives, particularly to share with visitors so they can customize their own walking tours.



5. I have the previous guide, which was good, but not as good as many of these AIA guides, but alas this one is a real improvement. The images are better and the guide itself is of better quality, frankly Washington should have a great AIA guide, the city of full of intesting buildings. This guide is still not up there with the AIA guide to Houston or the one for Detroit, but it's better and i do recommend it if you have any interest in the architecture of the nations capitol.

5 comments about Behind Adobe Walls: The Hidden Homes and Gardens of Santa Fe and Taos.

1. This book is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Perfect condition and rapid delivery. Excellent service.



2. I am a native New Mexican and even though the others did comment on how nice a book about "real" New Mexicans would be, I do love this book for the excellent photography. It is on my coffee table now and I just love looking at it!



3. Unfortunately, the sample pages are in black and white. Never fear, they're actually IN COLOR in the actual book!

   Got this for my Mom, she loved it!




4. I would NOT loan out my copy of this book! I live in Taos (moved AFTER reading the book) and have since been to some of these homes, they are wonderful...and not at all pretentious...as one reviewer said. I use this book even today for inspiration in my own Taos home.



5. I was specifically on a quest for inspiration for Santa Fe style decorating with bold color schemes, somewhat off-the-wall furnishing choices and the like. This book fit my needs perfectly, I'm happy to say. I agree with other reviewers that the book is rather limited in scope, but it was exactly what I was looking for. Beautiful photographs, clear writing, overall a very dynamic book.

2 comments about Domus: Wall Painting in the Roman House (Getty Trust Publications: J. Paul Getty Museum).

1. I saw a copy of Domus while in Naples and knew I would have to order a copy when I returned home. The book is beautifully produced with an excellent essay by Donatella Mazzolini on the architecture of Roman houses, focusing on those under discussion in Pompeii, Herculaneum and Rome. This is followed by an essay by Umberto Pappalando on the Domus Romana, focusing on the development of houses and gardens. As good as these essays are it is the pages dealing with the houses themselves that is jaw-dropping. The houses are arranged in sections following the development of the Roman domus and include color pictures and diagrams of the houses. There are short introductions to the homes followed by a portfolio section consisting of close up pictures of the frescos printed on non-glossy textured paper that gives a better impression of how the painting appears to the observer. These reproductions are superb.
   
   The choice of buildings is impressive. There are far too many to list but among them are: from Pompeii the House of the Faun, the House of Julius Polybius, the Villa of Mysteries, the House of the Golden Bracelet, the House of the Tragic Poet and the House of the Labyrinth; from Herculaneum: the Samnite House, the House of the Skeleton, the House of the Grand Portal, the Collegium of the Augustales; from Rome: the House of the Griffins, Livia's House on the Palatine and at Prima Porta and the Domus Aurea. The Villa of Poppea at Oplontis gets special attention in the book, and a fresco from the house appears on the cover.
   
   This book is a must for anyone interested in ancient Roman houses and their decoration. If you have even visited Pompeii, Herculaneum and the other villas destroyed by Mount Vesuvius you will enjoy this book.



2. A wonderful work in all respects - scholarship, printing, presentation, photography. Some of the paintings are more like wall paper samples, the paper and printing is that good.
   
   Another great work in the Getty catalog. A must have for any serious student of Roman Art/Architecture.

2 comments about 25 Houses Under 3000 Square Feet.

1. There were some interesting porjects but not like 25 houses under 2,500 sq. ft. Some really good detailing but also some that do not have the level of detail as the larger houses. Might be because of budget, not the house themselves.



2. The 25 houses are featured with photos, architectural drawings and site plans. The homes are varied to fit the sites and to match the personality of the owner.
   You've heard of Tex-Mex? One house in San Diego combines Japanese and Mexican design elements, so you see, this is not just a collection of standard home plans.

2 comments about What is Japanese Architecture?: A Survey of Traditional Japanese Architecture.

1. I've been searching for a book such as this for quite some time. I purchased this book as source material for 3D modeling, and all the hand drawn illustrations are simply amazing! Many interior, exterior and close-up shots of Japanese architecture. Several floor plans and isometric views of various homes and temples.

   Having only recieved my book the day before, I have not had a chance to read it from cover to cover, but what I have read was informative and well written. While you may not be able to build your very own "to code" Japanese home with this book, as a source of information and inspiration, it's a tremendous book!




2. This is a good guide to Japanse architecture and it's styles. It contains many illustrations, and is a detailed description on types of Traditional Japanese architecture.

1 comments about Building Type Basics for College and University Facilities (Building Type Basics).

1. The book I read is called "The Wish" and for me this book was Great! The book is about a ordinary girl named Wilma that everyone thinks is a slut, and to make her life even worse, her L.A teacher reads her embarrassing imaginanation essay out loud that turns out to humiliate her. All the popular kids tease Wilma and all she wants to do is cringe into a corner. But that changed when an old lady asked her for a wish. Wilma wished the wish she would always want, to become popular. The next day when she goes to school her life has become popular. Now forty boys asked Wilma to the Grand Night Dance and she doesn't know which to chose until Jared and her become real Good Friends! But she doesn't know how long this spell of popularity will last hopefully she will still have a boyfriend and hopefully it wont vanish before the dance or graduation! Will Wilma's Fairy tale dream end shortly or will it last forever?