5 comments about Wayfinding: Designing and Implementing Graphic Navigational Systems.

1. Wayfinding: Designing and Implementing Graphic Navigational Systems
   
   After over 10 years in the museum business it is important to not over do signage and wayfinding. I must say this is a wonderful book that gives a detailed view of wayfinding principles. I highly recommend this book for all interior and museum design professionals.
   
   Duke Windsor
   Exhibits Director
   USS Midway Museum
   San Diego CA



2. es un libro donde abarcas todas las manifestaciones de la senalizacion en los ambientes urbanos, muy completo con lista de recomendaciones en cada uno de los capitulos (mapas, minusvalidos, exteriores, etc.)
   Una gran compra



3. Based upon my professional interest in the way that people navigate in space (I am a geographer) and the very positive reviews I purchased a copy of this book. My
   negative assessment is based upon two things:
   (1) From a content standpoint the author completely ignores the substantial work that has been done in the social and biological sciences on wayfinding (see, for example, R.G. Golledge (ed), Wayfinding Behavior: Cognitive Mapping and Other Spatial Processes).
   (2) From a physical standpoint the book is nearly unreadable due to the decision to utilize an inappropriate font in too small a point size in a black upon bright yellow background. (The point size is also reduced for
   some figure captions.) As a counterpoint, some pages are printed in white on black. There is an occasional page with black type on a white background but even here the inappropriate choice of point size defeats the reader.
   Since I cannot read the book with out serious eyestrain, I am returning my copy to Amazon.



4. Excellent content - a must have for anyone in the wayfinding profession. An excellent reference for those in related design professions; i.e. Architecture, Interiors, Planning, etc.



5. This book is a must have at my office. As someone who writes and designs wayfinding programs, I find myself often referring to this book. It contains step-by-step guidelines for producing successful wayfinding programs and is chock full of useful information on topics such as map design, symbols, legibility, colors and sign placement. Much of this information is gleaned from project audits, research studies and/or contributed by some of the best, most experienced minds in the business. Where else can you get all of this valuable information in one place?
   
   The book is beautifully produced, in an easy-to-read format, and contains full-color pictures of well designed wayfinding signs and other elements.
   
   When I'm not using this book, I leave it on display in my reception area. Visitors love looking through the book and I believe they gain a new appreciation of wayfinding by doing so. That's another benefit of the book for me. Therefore, I highly recommend this book by Craig Berger.

2 comments about Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Houses (Wright at a Glance Series).

1. "Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie Houses," by Carla Lind, is one of a series of mini-books dedicated to the work of this important architect. This volume focuses on Wright's Prairie Houses. As Lind notes, the Prairie School of architecture was inspired by the "spacious, horizontal feeling" of the American prairie. This book pays particular attention to several of Wright's Prairie masterpieces built between 1900 and 1908.

   This book shares many of the admirable characteristics of other volumes in the series: a profusion of superb full-color photographs (both interior and exterior), Lind's interesting text, illuminating sidebar quotes from Wright and others, and a brief but useful bibliography. Houses pictured include the Bradley House of Kankakee, Illinois; the Darwin Martin House of Buffalo, New York; the Stockman House of Mason City, Iowa; and many more.

   The only flaw in the book is the lack of any legible floor plans. Although floor plans are not a focus of this series as a whole, author Lind does call attention to the distinctive features of the Prairie House floor plans several times in the text. Thus, one or two representative plans would have really enhanced this volume. Actually, one floor plan is included, but it is used merely as a decorative background element: the plan is printed in a pale blue ink and has text superimposed on top of it, so it is not very legible. This matter aside, however, this is a fine volume in an excellent series.




2. Although the entire Wright at a Glance Series is wonderful, this book is especially good. It gives good examples of what made Wright's Prairie home distinctive. The photographs are very fine and the text supports them well.

No comments about Design Charrettes for Sustainable Communities.

3 comments about Cowboy Style.

1. "In the typical cowboy-chic living room, overstuffed couches and deep Molesworth-inspired club chairs invite lounging while oversized upholstered ottomans offer a variation on the traditional coffee table, providing softer edges, a more casual feeling, and extra seating." ~ pg. 54
   
   Cowboy Style is filled with warm comforting styles to reflect a casual sophistication. Intricately designed armoires and Tiffany lamps are as welcome as the more organic designs made from ponderosa pine.
   
   Wood furniture shimmers in the glow of fireplaces and creative chandeliers in rooms layered in comfort. Intricately designed carpets and designer bookcases make the spaces inviting.
   
   A magical artist's studio built in Wyoming showcases a cut-metal lamp by a California craftsman, Tony Alvis. His fireplace screens are of especially high interest in this book because they are scenes of cowboys overlooking deserts and the interplay of the light behind the silhouettes makes for a fascinating magical experience.
   
   Other interesting features include the details about sheep wagons used by sheepherders in remote mountains, cozy cabins and stories about the artists featured throughout this book.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



2. I needed pictures to help me figure out how to design a Country Western style art gallery. This book had beautiful pictures, gives an overview of the history of the western culture, and provides names of companies and/or creators of furniture pieces. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the Rustic/Country Western style home; this book was absolutely wonderful!



3. I enjoyed the book, but I was a bit disappointed, since there wasn't enough technical decorating information on color schemes, regional variations in styles, etc.

   Great pictures, though.

No comments about English Style and Decoration: A Sourcebook of Original Designs.

4 comments about Radical Classicism: The Architecture of Quinlan Terry.

1. This book is a must for anyone who loves good and beautiful architecture. Modernist and mediocre architects built much rubbish these days, but Qinlan and Francis Terry are one of the few good architect of our time.
   Even in their small and modest buildings you can see what good stile and knowledge can achieve, eben with a limited budget.



2. Quinlan Terry's work is just amazing; the attention to detail and the craftmanship sets the benchmark. I am familiar with his work in Dallas and was just blown away when i saw it; his work stands out, it just has elan. This book does he and his creations great service; the text is easy to read, yet well researched and eriudite and the images are crisp and first rate. If you have any interest in great modern classical architecture or just appreciate beautiful books in general then i can't conceive of you not being pleased with this purchase. Highly recommended.



3. A beautifully produced book that explains the philosophy of Quinlan Terry and how he applies neo-classical design to meet modern needs without compromising the accuracy of the classical detail designs to which his dedication is paramount. The like ability and dedication of his son Francis, who is already carrying on the craft of his father, is shown with stunning effect.
   
   The book is easy to read and engages the reader so that it is hard to put down. It is not just a book to dip in and out of, albeit it also lends itself to such a practice.
   
   It demonstrates that Quinlan Terry and his son are Master Builders in the true sense of the words.
   
   It shows how their understanding and appreciation of the detailed construction required to produce their buildings puts most architects to shame, together with their incredible skill with a pencil, which most modern architects also cannot match or even execute.
   
   The book gives a facinating insight into the way they cleverly apply a wide range of classical features into their buildings; and also how they refer in their designs to more recent uses of neo-classical design by other masters of their art .
   
   The book is most impressive in the way it describes the complete dedication of Quinlan Terry for the positive, classical accuracy and precision in his designs , together with the explanation of how his own interpretation for each new building has been conceived, without merely repeating past classical building designs.
   
   The book also touches on Quinlan Terry's lone struggle to fight off the intransient modernists who are unable to recognise that classical design is usually more permanent, more ecologically friendly, easier and safer to maintain and often more relevant to many environments and circumstances than the unyielding modernist approach to architecture, which can be so ugly, irrelevant and egotistical.
   
   The quality of the heavyweight glossy paper, reproduction of the intricate drawings and photos is second to none.
   
   A wonderful book to enjoy and treasure for ever.



4. Quinlan Terry, who works with his son Francis, is probably the best known classical architect working today. His buildings have covered just about every sub-set of classical architecture: Greek, Roman, Gothic, Penaissance and more. (Indeed, I'm not so sure just how many sub-sets their are.)
   
   This remarkable book shows the range of Mr. Terry's work in over 250 full color photographs and numerous drawings or sketches that illustrate the unbelievablly wide range of work. The buildings shown have been built around the world from Dallas to Berlin. There is no prevailing style, some of the houses are so different that you find it hard to believe that they are the work of the same architect.
   
   In addition to buildings, there are some projects that are internal, official state rooms and No. 10 Downing Street for instance. And some of the buildings have photographs of the interior, especially the entryway that you see when first entering the building.
   
   This book is both a history and an idea book of a style that never went away.

No comments about American Collection Ranch Style: 200 New House Plans (The American Collection) (The American Collection) (The American Collection).

5 comments about Wallace Neff and the Grand Houses of the Golden State.

1. The book is well researched, but there are very few photos. For that reason I find it unsatisfying. In a book about an artist, a lack of visuals is a serious flaw.



2. I thought the information in this book was wonderful! The biographical details on Neff and those he designed for are captivating.
   If the book has a weakness, it would be that the photos are very few considering his body of work. Only one distant aerial shot of the Enchanted Hill estate of Frances Marion and Fred Thomson when so many commissions were generated from those who visited the home???
   I'm dreaming of a Wallace Neff book with hundreds of interior & exterior shots of his works, floorplans, and current status of the house.
   Having said all that, I'm still reading this every evening before bed, so it is fair to say I love it!



3. if you are looking for examples of the archictecture of wallace neff this is not the book to purchase. There are very few pictures of his architecture in this book, in fact the nicest picture in the book is the one on the front cover. The book is mostly about the man and what influenced his designs.



4. I really liked this book. I thought it was excellent. I enjoyed reading about the man Wallace Neff and reading about his architectural career and seeing photos of his works. Yes, there could have been more photos-but what was there was nice. And I must commend the publisher as these days I find so many typographical errors when reading books--and I did not find ONE typo!!! A very well done book.



5. The book is well researched and his life presented well but the monograph is so skimpy on photos that you're left feeling like you just ate your appetizer and now you are being denied your filet mignon. His work is so stunningly detailed in person that only giving the reader a few black and white photos devoid of detail is jsut mean spirited. Very disappointing.

No comments about Otto Neurath.

3 comments about Vitruvius Britannicus: The Classic of Eighteenth-Century British Architecture (Dover Books on Architecture).

1. Unfortunately for book lovers, the earlier editions of this book have been cut up so the handsome plates showing the plans and elevations of stately English country houses could be framed and displayed as interior decoration. This book, a replica of the original contents, provides a valuable reference for those who appreciate a resource of classical architecture at an affordable price.



2. It's been a long wait; as the previous reviewer pointed out, until recently any one interested in this greatest classic of English architecture would have needed to deplete his bank savings in order to get a copy. Fortunately Dover (who else?) finally issued this beautiful reprint of the complete three volumes of Vitruvius Britannicus. For anyone interested in 18th century architecture or the English country house, there can be no greater delight - the reader, as Mr. Campbell in his introduction says he hopes, is indeed 'agreeably entertained' with a rich array of elevations, floor plans, interiors and perspective views. All the greatest houses (Chatsworth, Blenheim, Castle Howard, Grimsthorpe, Drumlanrig, Houghton) are featured, as are many more modest ones, and some that were never actually built, were dramatically changed in later years, or were lost altogether (Lowther castle seems a particular painful specimen of the latter category, by the look of it). In addition, several public buildings (e.g. the Royal Hospital in Greenwich), as well as St. Paul's cathedral and, somewhat incongruously, St. Peter's in Rome, are portrayed. The plates allow detailed study of the composition, proportions and decoration of these masterworks.
   
   As always, Dover also provides the full text of the original, which allows interesting insights into the social world of the early 1700s. The introduction, in which Campbell scolds Borromini for 'debauching mankind with his odd and chimerical beauties', and proudly proclaims Britain at least the equal of Italy in matters of architecture, is an entertainment in itself. The lists of subscribers show that no fashionable nobleman of the time could afford to go without his own copy.
   
   The plates are clearly and beautifully reproduced, on lightly cream-colored paper, without blemishes. My only niggle concerns the two-page spreads, of Castle Howard and Blenheim for instance, where inevitably the centerpiece of the composition is lost in the center fold of the book. Otherwise this is as good as it gets.



3. Anyone interested in domestic architecture, especially 18th century British, must have this book. I once priced the original (published in the 1700's)--it goes for about $20,000! That makes this a pretty good deal.