No comments about Award Winning Green Roof Designs.

5 comments about Old Penn Station.

1. My 7-year-old son and I both enjoy this book. It tells the simple, but poignent story of the destruction of the grand old Pennsylvania station in New York, by a world entralled with the automobile and unable to see a future in passenger train travel. With today's $4.00/gallon gas prices, the shortsightedness is all too apparent. I have often marveled at how plain and uninviting (and difficult to access) the current Penn Station is. Well, this is the story why. My son is a big fan of trains and he enjoys the beautiful illustrations. This book is not on the usual lists of great, prize winning children's books, but it should be.



2. I bought this book for my 5 year old son, so that I could read to him while he looked at the pictures. Unusual in that a children's book deplicts an event of destruction by short sighted people, that took place 40 years ago. I walked up into Penn Station after debarking a LIRR train in 1958 when I was 5 years old. Seeing the huge skylight, I new I had arrived at someplace special. My 5 year old son recently did the same, however it is nothing more than a underground catacomb today, and you cannot recapture the excitement of old Penn Station.



3. William Low masterfully uses mixed media (oil and digital) to illuminate the grandeur of New York's bygone Pennsylvania Station of the early 20th century. Most readers will never have been there in that time, but reading and EXPERIENCING this book will place the reader there. The visuals are so evocative that they invite the creative will of the other four senses to play along. Part of the book's power is that the real thing can no longer be witnessed. But this book makes a wonderful alternative. Small historical inaccuracies (the statues' are carved from marble, not granite) are moot in comparison to the overall effect the book will leave on your imagination.



4. I agree with Shawson, this is a child's introduction to Penn Station. Not much text and there is an error in the discussion of the Penn Station statuary. The statuary was carved out of marble, not pink granite as the author states.



5. This is a mere child's book. Never thought that was what I was ordering. Looked at description on line. Never got impression that this was a kid's book.

5 comments about The Portland Cement Association's Guide to Concrete Homebuilding Systems.

1. I purchased this book in 1995. It was and still is the only book of it's kind. It provides data such as time, cost, quality for a wide range of concrete construction methods. Yes there have been changes since 1994 but actual very little. I have built 12 concrete homes including my personal home of 10 years, using serveral systems covered in this excelent book



2. This is as another reviewer stated, "Advertising." Completely unpractical from either an engineer or buildler's point of view. Steer clear.



3. As we may note upon reading this tome, it is written primarily for one who is articulate with the construction trade. However it is onomonopoetic in its scope. As you read you find yourself absorbing and understanding far more than seems possible. One gets it quickly and is allowed to dream of design possibilities. I love a good book. Learning at an exponential rate is exhilerating.



4. Remember, this book is almost TEN years old because it is based on research done in 1993 and published in '95. So there have been advances and experience that go well beyond this book. Dwell magazine has often tickled me with various new building techniques and I wanted to learn more about what might be appropriate for me and the Midwestern climate. This book will give you an overview of SOME of the styles (mortarless, poured-in-place, etc.), and also indicate what might be appropriate for your situation. I'm not a builder or an architect but I wanted to design my own house, so this book did help me to recognize and comprehend the different catagories of techniques. At the same time, this topic could really use an update that you won't find from the Portland Cement Association. My advice to people like me is to keep looking and seek out small-scale builders who will familiarize you with their technique that they know best. There are dozens, and the most difficult thing is getting a crew that doesn't have to be trained for a new technique but has already completed several homes using a proven method.

   This book, even though it is somewhat old will give you a good sense of what to expect from building codes and prices, but it's just not enough, and there are no pretty pictures.




5. This book is an Ugly Duckling for now. Hopefully in the future they will put out a new edition with lots of colour photo's to show us what a finished project can look like. It does seem to cover most systems for building concrete structures. It is written for contractors, but with a little work it could be just as well suited for the potential home owner.

4 comments about Restoring a Home in Italy.

1. Since we live in the southwest, but don't particularly want to decorate SWestern ..I like this book because it uses the same materials found here but in a different way... Wood, stone, tile..flagstone for the patios..
   They use simple uncluttered lines in their decor inside and out..
   There is a type of tranquility built in. Something we look for in this complicated world.



2. What a great book! The author Elizabeth Minchilli has done has superb job in creating this wonderful book. Although she's not Italian, she now lives in Italy after marrying an Italian architect. Her love and passion for Italy is obvious and the wealth of information that she has gathered is priceless to anyone thinking or planning to buy and/or restore a home in Italy. Her informative writing is beautifully coupled with fantastic photos from the well known photographer Simon McBride. The setting of some of these homes is spectacular! There are many books out there on Italy, but this is truly a must for any fan of Italy or old rural architecture. I highly recommend this book even if you don't have any intention in restoring a home in Italy.



3. After our house burned in San Diego county, during the waiting time for the insurance company, the architect, the engineer, and the city approval, we purchansed MANY books on Tuscan design and architecture, as that is the style we want to emulate. Restoring a Home in Italy provided may examples that helped us though the selection process.



4. While this book may look more like a coffee table piece - and it could very well be - I read it cover to cover. The stories were very informative, telling of the beauty and the challenges of restoring one of these fine homes. After each of the functional sections there was a great write up on the details of the topic, such as; roofing, swimming pools, heating, etc. Naturally, you can tell I loved it and would recommend it to anyone interested in fine Italian home. I hope the author reads this and realized what a great job she did. ....

1 comments about Sea Captains' House and Rose-Covered Cottages: The Architectural Heritage of Nantucket Island.

1. If you're interested in architectural history and Nantucket or American architecture of New England, then you'll want to read and keep this meticulously researched book that is both a good read and informative. Also, it contains beautiful photographs of Nantucket's most important homes. Kudos to the authors and photographer!

5 comments about Antonio Gaudi: Master Architect (Tiny Fellows).

1. I ordered this book because I loved the copy I got from my public library. BUT it was not clear in the "ad" that the words (Tiny Fellow) in the title meant that the book WAS REALLY TINY!! It is just 4 1/2" square! This means that the images, which are really beautiful in the full-sized version, are way too small to be meaningful or useful to me.
   I will be returning the book for a refund and ordering the full sized version, if it is available.



2. If you don't know, "Tiny Folio" or "Tiny Fellows" really does mean TINY. The description says that it's a hardback book and in a review it is described as being an unusual size and shape. After receiving the book, I went back to the description to see if I overlooked the fact that it is a teensy weensy book. I can't find the 4.5 X 4.75 INCH dimensions anywhere in the description. I ordered it as a gift for someone else, but I will see if I can exchange it for an Antonio Gaudi book that's not quite so tiny.



3. Pictures are good, with well written history, but 4" by 4" book was so tiny.



4. The set of photos is comprehensive, however I felt that the lighting of the exterior photos was too flat to convey the visual impact of the buildings.

   I admit that I have not seen the buildings in person, however I felt that Teshigahara's documentary gave me a much better feel for the buildings -- making their noteriety understandable.




5. Essentially this is a picture book, but what pictures! The photography has used the extraordinary architecture and added a new dimension to it in vision and lighting. If you would know Gaudi, look at his work: and this is one of the best ways to do it if you cannot readily get to Catalunya. In addition, the production and design of the book, in a relatively small format, has been very carefully thought out, resulting in one of those rare volumes which is delightful to handle and admire in its own right, quite apart from its content. An absolute little gem.

5 comments about One Thousand Buildings of Paris.

1. This is a huge book with hundreds of beautiful black and white pictures of Paris buildings. Photos are absolutely carrying out Paris soul and give you that special feeling of the city, that of art, history and grace. Turning the pages one by one, you just walk around this glorious city. I've been to Paris several times and I think this book is the second best thing after actually being there.



2. Clearly a lot of exhausting work went into this book, but as in any catalog, the quality of the descriptions varies in quality and depth, and there are typos. The author mixes casual language with more formal reporting in a way that is sometimes stylistically jarring. I heard the author speak in Paris, and evidently it was not possible to obtain permission to photograph some buildings, so the collection while in some ways comprehensive doesn't contain all the author had wished or that the reader familiar with Paris might hope for. This isn't the author's fault, just some French craziness, but it is unfortunate. I keep the book in my apartment in Paris, and use it to familiarize myself with buildings I walk by regularly. As the Parisians say, walking in Paris is "very pleasant," and this book makes one a more informed walker. The description of the Hotel de Sully in the 4th is especially nice. Pair it with the catalog of the Atget exhibition for some interesting contrasts, both historic and photographic. Paris is a sublime feast, and this is a book for those who will take the time to taste it more fully. I don't believe any other book like this exists.



3. I love it!! It's very comprehensive and detailed, and the pages are big enough to accomodate all of the photographs and text. The quality of the book itself is also good.



4. 
   This book was given to me,along with the London's one.
   One does not need to be an archictect or a professionnal builder to appreciate this masterpiece.
   In the last 100 years, Paris has eluded any massive destruction and as such has kept its historic,poetic and romantic characters.
   The book is precised,well mapped,and the photos are top notched.
   It would not be easy to carry around while visiting Paris! however one can list ahead of time the buildings of interest.
   the book is photographed and written, by three Americans, which makes it even more interesting ,with their artistic objectivity and a view with a non parisian or gallic optic.
   well worth the investment,and a real treasure.



5. all 1,000? No way. Too big to have as a travel companion but so many memories that it should be owned by everyone who loves Paris.

1 comments about 100 Sunrooms: A Hands-on Design Guide and Sourcebook.

1. This book features the sunrooms that belong in America's suburbs. Nearly the entire book shows the same sunroom 'kit' over and over again with a slightly different trim package to change styles.
   
   Pros: This is great for you if you have a conventional home and want a small, attractive, sunroom in kit form.
   
   Cons: Book is bound poorly. First one in such poor condition "new" that I returned to amazon. Book is limited to very basic set of styles with little deviation.

5 comments about New York Apartments.

1. Loved seeing the beautiful homes! So much fun to see into the homes of these people. Loved the tradional decor. A great coffe table book.



2. Beautiful book showcasing the elegant style of Greenwich. Unlike many similiar books, this one is more than a pretty cover. Beautiful interior shots, and the kind of book you want to go back and look at over and over. A good purchase, and I have given it a few times as a gift as well!



3. I'm not sure I would have bought it, but I was very glad to get this book as a Christmas present. It's gorgeously photographed, and provides a sneak peek at some stunning New York dwellings. If you're interested in interior decorating, you'll love the photos of works by Mario Buatta, David Easton, and other boldface names. But even if decorating is not your thing, you'll enjoy taking a look some amazing apartments. Warning: This is almost guaranteed to cause envy.



4. Stunning, just stunning, an exquisite inside look at the quintessential New York City apartments. From Central Park West to the Village to Chelsea and Tribeca and Brooklyn Heights ... a glimpse into the urban chick homestyles that is Manhattan and the Big Apple.



5. This is simply an haute couture guide for homes. Stunning photography showcase these magnificent homes and provide a peek into a world few of us will ever actually inhabit. More than just a glamorous photo book, this is a must have for anyone interested in traditional, luxury interior design or looking for elegant styles to emulate.
   
   The 25 apartments featured in the book are beautifully photographed and provide some basic information as to how the rooms were put together to get the over all "feel". This is not a "how to" book but rather a virtual portfolio of some of the best designers in the City.
   
   This is a wonderful coffee table book and would make a traffic gift to anyone interested in design, lifestyles or New York City.

No comments about 1001 Ideas for Decks (1001 Ideas).