5 comments about The Function of Ornament.

1. The title suggests that this book is about architectural ornament, but it really covers only an extremely limited, and not particularly interesting, part of that rich topic.



2. THis book is very helpful for a studio that focus' on facade elements and how to express identity. Has lots of precedent studies and is full of inspiration for designing your own facade systems. It is mostly line drawings with some text where needed. I think it is a very well put together book and I definitely recommend it to any architecture student who is studying facade systems.



3. Beautiful and useful; as a Professor of Architecture I will be recommending this volume to all of my students.



4. Diagrams are looking good,but all lack of real professional structural analysis. Just good enough for students and good initial approach.
   But I am really worry about some miss-understanding of facade structure by unclear student's language & non-experienced peoeple's analysis



5. In this graphic guide to building ornamentation in the twentieth century, Moussavi and Kubo have collected an interesting cross-section of architectural projects that demonstrate the mechanisms through which contemporary architecture connects itself to current culture.
   
   Through the selected case study projects, the editors endeavor to illustrate the means through which ornamentation is the very essence of the building. Not being merely 'ornamental' and self-indulgent, the articulation presented is indeed the agent of the architect's ideas.
   
   Various materials and effects are investigated ranging from 'dematerialized light' to 'relief patterns'. The impressive array of diagrams are extremely clear and useful. A typical system is defined through perspective views, sections, pattern diagrams, detailed assembly drawings and relevant notes.
   
   If you are looking for component and systems analysis of projects such as Future Systems' amorphous Selfridges Department Store or Herzog and de Meuron's embossed copper skin at the De Young Museum; look no further.

No comments about Dream Homes of Los Angeles: An Exclusive Showcase of the Finest Architects in Los Angeles (Dream Homes).

3 comments about Architecture: The World's Greatest Buildings Explored and Explained.

1. Great photos as there always is in the DK series. Takes the viewer from ancient Egypt to 1994 completion of the Osaka Airport designed by Piano. Great introduction to architecture.



2. Probably the only thing better than owning this book, would be to travel to all these locations with someone you absolutely loved and who absolutely had a love for life and architecture.
   
   Features:
   
   -Every important architectural style from ancient Egyptian to Contemporary
   
   -50 sites illustrating changes and developments in architecture in all cultures
   
   -Authoritative text to explain developments in technology, materials and styles
   
   -Detailed annotations
   
   Some of the sites featured: Notre-Dame-du Haut, Ise Shrine, The Chrysler Building, The Parthenon, Taj Mahal, Temple of Amun, Karnak, The Colosseum, Santa Sophia, Pisa Cathedral, Durham Cathedral, Sydney Opera House, Tokyo Olympic Stadium and Notre-Dame, Paris.
   
   Favorites: Santa Sophia, Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Pisa Cathedral, Durham Cathedral, Angkor Way, Florence Cathedral, St. Basil's Cathedral, Hardwick Hall, Taj Mahal, Castle Howard, Sagrada Familia and The Ark.
   
   Each site has a two-page spread. You can see a large picture covering the middle/center of the two pages and then it is surrounded by facts about the specifications, history, floor plans, sketches, inside views, specific decorations and styles.
   
   When viewing the pictures of the Leaning tower of Pisa, you also get to see the inside of the Pisa Cathedral and read about Romanesque vaulting.
   
   My favorite site is the Notre-Dame, Paris. This is the most amazing Gothic cathedral ever and was well worth the bus ride to Paris! Unfortunately they don't have room to show you the interior, which is rather amazing in itself.
   
   An exploration into human creativity. This book will make you want to travel the world to see these fascinating buildings in person. Just to imagine walking amongst all this inspiration makes one feel overwhelmingly alive.
   
   Who would not want to walk along the stone-vaulted corridors in the Castle Drogo?
   
   Feeling Inspired.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



3. Every D-K book I have had the pleasure of reading has been a feast for the eyes as well as the mind. This one is no exception. I enjoyed it because it explores many famous structures as well as some which should be famous but are not. I knew little about architecture before I opened the book and so I learned a great deal and enjoyed every minute of it. I love this book!

5 comments about Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer.

1. This was a great book. The pictures are wonderful and it makes an excellent coffee table book. The pictures of Brooke Astor's library alone, are worth buying the book. It is nicely written and I liked the fact that Hadley himself collaborated on this book. It gives a nice insight on one of America's best decorators. Perfect book for giving as a gift to anyone who is interested in Hadley or just a fan of Interior Decorating.



2. Very fast shipping for Xmas time. Happy with book. It was a gift and the person I gave it to loved it.



3. Not only does Adam Lewis' biography of Albert Hadley allow us to take a retrospective look at the great man's life and career, he allows us do this on the most part through Hadley's own words. "Albert Hadley: The story of America's preeminent interior designer" is an important work about the dean of American decorating, and undoubtedly one of the greatest designers in the world today. Having studied under Van Day Treux at NY Parsons school and then going on to work for the top firms of the day - Mc Millen and then with Sister Parish before their eventual partnership of Parish-Hadley, Albert Hadley's clients were America' wealthy and elite. He has created some of the most famous, stylish, chic and absolutely timeless interiors, and the photographs of these will make this book a monograph in my library that I will refer to and study meticulously time and time again.



4. Great written history however the visual presentation of his work is poorly represented.



5. If one is at all interested in interior design and decoration, then this book is a must have. Albert Hadley owns "style" and "good taste". The photos in this book are great and it is a very interesting read. He is such an interesting talent that anyone at all interested in design would love this book.

No comments about Dressed Stone: Types of Stone, Details, Examples (Detail Practice).

4 comments about Plan Graphics, 5th Edition.

1. Plans are the most basic and the most important drawings in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design and planning. They are used in schematic, design development and construction phases of projects. When properly drafted, they can convey the most information to the clients and governing agencies and project team members.
   
   "I have long believed the design process is like a journey along a braided path. The path is marked by crossroads, difficult terrain, and barriers that are hard to negotiate. At times, the journey may seem impossible to complete because workable solutions to overcome obstacles are hard to conceive, and even harder to implement. At other times, the path is an enjoyable stroll through a process of research and discovery, conceptualization of solutions, and the documentation of ideas..." David A. Davis and Theodore D. Walker wrote.
   
   They continued to discuss various aspects of plan graphics, including plan graphics and the creative process (setting up your drawings, text and hand lettering, etc), color graphics, site analysis, conceptual design, construction documents, and finished rendering, sections and elevations. "Plan Graphics" is a compilation of good sample drawings for different design phases provided by nearly 50 professional firms. It is not a step-by-step drawing instruction book.
   
   "Plan Graphics" has 224 pages, including 48 pages of full-color graphics gallery and many black-and-white sample drawings. It is a great collection of sample drawings for architects, landscape architects, and urban planners.



2. The book had excellent graphics, but was all pictures. Didn't learn enough for my purppose, Showed proper presentation procedures. For that, it's great



3. I was expecting a book which showed you how to draw beautiful plans and explain the techniques used to produce these drawings. Instead this book hardly touched upon the techniques. This book is nothing more than a collection of copied architectural drawings bound together for display.



4. I teach Visual Communications at a College of Architecture and find that the 5th edition is a book that is an absolute necessity for anyone planning a future in architecture or landscape architecture. The selection of work represents a great variety of graphic communication techniques for the student and professional to review. The work is slanted to site issues, but can only help to reinforce the integration of site and structure. Not only does it present a variety of techniques, but also a collection of ideas that the student can learn from. It is also a great resource for the practicing professional. I use both this book and Color Drawing by Doyle in my course and find they make an excellent pair.

   William Allen, Professor of Architecture, RLA

1 comments about Louis Kahn: Conversations with Students (Architecture at Rice).

1. Just to add some context to my review, I am a graduate student in architecture doing an independent study on Kahn's work. That doesn't mean you should listen to me, but simply that I care about this.
   
   There is a clear attempt by Bell and others to cash in on Kahn's popularity by adding texts to the end which are close to useless vis-a-vis an attempt to comprehend the lecture. Kahn's use of so many idiosyncratic phrases compells anyone compiling his work to explain, as best he or she can, what those mean. This is sadly lacking. If I knew what "white light, black shadow" meant to Kahn, I'd be better prepared to engage the text. One could claim Barthe's intentional fallacy, but, I think that's a bad excuse.
   
   Additionally, the introduction doesn't give an adequate summary of the political/social climate surrounding the talks, ie. Vietnam, King's death, etc., which I think plays a part in understanding the phrase "white light, black shadow" as well as others.
   
   That said, the lectures are really stunning, and, suprizingly accesible after a few reads. An overall continuity is harder to come by, but within a page or so range, there is a strong logic to his thinking. I don't know if this lecture is reproduced anywhere else, if you can't find "white light, black shadow", it would be worth the purchase. The question and answer is also interesting, but less so. Again, Bell should go hug someone, he clearly needs it.

5 comments about Cube Chic: Take Your Office Space from Drab to Fab!.

1. I was hoping for a little bit more from this book but as it turned out it was just a book of pictures of really nifty cubes. I was hoping that there would be a bit more in the way of ideas and suggestions but for the most part if you are looking to dress up a drab workspace this is for you.



2. The idea is cute but no practical. Most companies do not let you go that extavagent because of company policy and fire codes. Also, they seem to be expensive to do. There were a few good ideas for cube decorating in general but not worth the purchase of the book unless you woud like to see the pictures. I am not sorry that I bought it, just a little disappointed that my first ever cubicle cannot have a fun theme.



3. The book was entertaining to look at but the designs were too tacky and themed. I was hoping for less over the top ideas and something more practical and classy. Most of the design ideas would get the bosses upset or be the laugh of my neighbor cubies.



4. I really loved looking at the cool pictures of cubes. I don't know how they come up with so many ideas! Definetely a book worth buying for great decorating ideas for a home office or at work.



5. A friend of mine purchased this book and I had to have it. You might not be able to decorate like in the book, but it gets you thinking about things you can do. It also gives you ideas that you could use in your home office.

1 comments about Legoretta + Legoretta: New Buildings & Projects.

1. this is defenitly a good book for your collection. quality of the paper and the photogrphs are really high. it has covered more of their letest project than repeating old ones.

4 comments about Chinese Houses: The Architectural Heritage of a Nation.

1. I can't imagine there being a better book out there on Chinese houses as this book has history and expert photographs. What's more it also has well-drawn sections and plans. Most books on this subject will use old diagrams or ancient drawings that are a hassle to decipher. Here the diagrams are purpose-drawn, clean, and add a great deal to the understanding. About a third is dedicated to a general history of the form, construction methods, social life, and geographical variety; and about two-thirds to about 8 pages each on specific houses. Just enough info on each.
   
   The one gripe I would have is that, in the part of the book where he gives a general introduction of the elements and history of Chinese houses, he uses photos from the twenty or so houses that he discusses individually. It would have given a bit more breadth (and reduced a bit of redundancy later on) if he had used that opportunity for photos of houses that were not given an individual focus.



2. The amount of detail and research that's in this book is astounding. This is not another coffee table picture book. Its filled with beautiful pictures, and an equal amount of readable, scholarly writing about a culture thats slowly getting lost to the west.
   
   Get it!



3. This book exceeded my expectations. It has informative text and abundant photographs including many vintage images. For anyone interested in Chinese architecture, this is the book for you.



4. China has seen many social, political and economic changes over the centuries, yet surprisingly, has managed to preserve excellent examples of changing architectural home styles throughout these years, as Chinese Houses: The Architectural Heritage Of A Nation presents. Packed with color photos of both interior and exterior décor, Chinese Houses also presents an in-depth survey of the rituals, culture, ornamentation influences, and floor plans of homes across China, from urban to rural dwellings. If it's a strong in-depth history of Chinese home architecture which is desired, look no further than the gorgeous Chinese Houses: it's much more than the coffee table picturebook it appears a first glance.