5 comments about Human Dimension and Interior Space: A Source Book of Design Reference Standards.

1. I'm currently in my second year (of three) studying interior design. This book was recommended by a teacher, and I must say...it is WAY better than any of the other textbooks we are forced to buy. If you're looking for a very pictorial book that is easy to read and understand, and that is comprehensive in the information it covers, this is for you! Great for students, I've recommended this to all my fellow classmates.



2. This book is one-of-a-kind. You can't find a better resource for human factors/ergonomic spacial measurements than this book right here. It was a required textbook for my college-level human factors class. I have used it as a reference *many times* outside of this class. Definitely buy it if this description meets your needs!



3. Its a good book for human dimensions in interior spaces. A must if you are a student or an interior designer. Its full of information.



4. The book was copyrighted in 1979, and a lot of the data was fairly old even then. People are only a little taller (about 1" over the period when most of this data was taken, around 1960), but 25 or so pounds heavier. This is pretty significant when you're working with seating. It's great for its time, far better than nothing, but the body dimensions need revisiting. Also, bariatric furniture development, and I'm sure other areas for very large people, need body dimensions of people who are well above even the 99th percentile. There's no need to stop there just because you've covered nearly everyone. There's an increasing number of people in the country that really needs design data for people up to and even over 500 lbs.



5. I honestly think this is one of the best books in my large Interior Design related library. It is extensive, yet to the point. It explains human dimension from a point you would never imagine ever existed or was in any way important. Provides very useful measurements, detailed drawings, and space planning suggestions - great resource!

No comments about Far from Equilibrium: Essays on Technology and Design Culture.

5 comments about The Codes Guidebook for Interiors.

1. Good for interior design students- must have this book to understand how to comply with todays' design laws.



2. I am a registered architect, and purchased this book for the purpose of studying for the NCIDQ interior design licensing exam. I had no idea how clearly, simply, and comprehensively it would cover the IBC code (and some others). I'm sure it will be an asset for my NCIDQ preparation, but even more so, I have been able to reference it for my architecture practice.
   
   GREAT BOOK!



3. Could studying building codes actually be fun? Much to my surprise, when you combine this book with the companion study guide workbook it is. The author presents the information on the codes clearly and in logical order. I am studying for my NCIDQ exam and was really nervous about the "codes questions" until I got this book.



4. I own each of the 3 editions of this book, and have found the information to be a well source of sound, practical advise concerning the application of codes as they relate to interior projects. I am an Interior Designer and I refer to my copy of Codes Guidebook for Interiors regularly for projects I am involved in. This book and the companion study guide are part of the recommended resources for studying and preparing for the NCIDQ examination. I believe this book should be a part of every commercial practitioners library, whether they be an architect or interior designer.



5. The Codes Guidebook for Interiors is a simple, straight forward guide to understanding how building codes regulate design. The guidebook builds a chapter by chapter systematic approach to code research and application that can be followed by every practictioner regardless of building locale.

5 comments about Modernism Reborn: Mid-Century American Houses.

1. I was looking for mid-century houses that were more in the middle classes, and you do not get that here.
   
   These are all high-end, very expansive homes, similar to the type one might come across in Dwell magazine. The book is nicely set up, with thick, distinctive paper used, and the book coming encased in cellophane, implying 'you're getting something very sophisticated and special here...', something I neglected to pick up in reality [but again I was looking for something else]. I also did not like the contrived use of marketing (paper and cellophane wrap). Always a bad sign.



2. If you want a strong, national (not just LA or Palm Springs) overview of mid-century modern, this is a good bet. Very well produced, beautiful imagery.



3. The author provides a good overview of the history and restoration of 35 architecturally significant houses
   of the 1930's through mid-century. The only thing keeping it from getting a 5 star rating is it's small format,
   resulting in smallish pictures and smaller floor plans. These wonderful houses deserved a larger page size,
   say 12" x 12", to show them to the best advantage. Still, given it's relatively modest price, this book provides
   a lot of information between the covers.



4. 
   We are in danger of losing our mid-century domestic architectural heritage.
   
   Yesterday's flat-roof, ultra-modern "home of tomorrow" is often perceived as the cramped and impractical "teardown" of today. Most real estate agents will confide that "Modern doesn't sell," and those modernist homes that are sold are usually fodder for the bulldozer; razed and discarded to make way for another McMansion.
   
   Sometimes it seems that the only folks who have any fondness for "Home, Sleek Home" are advertising directors (who love to feature hip mid-century homes in TV commercials and print ads), and subscribers to Dwell Magazine (and subscribers to the Dwell Magazine lifestyle).
   
   In his book MODERNISM REBORN: Mid-Century American Houses, architectural critic Michael Webb demonstrates that there is a growing appreciation for cutting-edge American residential architecture of the 1930s through the 1960s, and in it he highlights the intrepid homeowners who've assumed stewardship of 35 of these "Contemporary" domiciles of long, long ago. Tersely written, illustrated with floor plans, and enlivened by nearly 200 color photos by noted architectural photographer Roger Strauss III, MODERNISM REBORN explores the unique histories of these homes, and chronicles the research, labor, and expense that the adventurous owners have lavished on their preservation, restoration and sometimes, expansion.
   
   Nearly all of the 20th Century architectural greats are represented here--Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, Philip Johnson and R.M. Schindler--as well as iconic modernist structures such as Pierre Koenig's Case Study House #21, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Farnsworth House, and Charles and Ray Eames' own home-studio. Webb presents homes that embody various modernist impulses in thematic chapters that prove that there was no one right way (or Wright way) to be "modern."
   
   Webb's survey argues a case for Modernism as a mode (or ideal) of living, rather than a mere style (or styles). Indeed, these light-filled, open plan, spartanly furnished "homes of the brave" imply an enlightened lifestyle of Zen-like purity somewhat at odds with the ever more acquisitive and materialistic American way of life.
   
   Don't read too much into the Modernist rejection of consumerism, however, because these designer homes were status symbols in their day, and to furnish a home with "Modern classics" like Le Corbusier's Petit Confort sofa, the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, and a pair of Mies Barcelona chairs will set you back several grand. Modern don't come cheap.
   
   Ultimately, the stories that Webb weaves about the people that commissioned, designed, built, restored and live in these homes are every bit as enlightening and memorable as the homes themselves. In fact, the author makes their histories seem inseparable, as if house and owner are joined in partnership against philistine taste, obnoxious neighbors, natural (and unnatural) disasters, and metal fatigue.
   
   This is not a scholarly study, but Webb assumes a certain level of cultural awareness and familiarity with architectural terms in his reader. It is a fine book with a fresh look at a perhaps overly familiar subject, and is well worth owning for the photos alone.
   
   Reading MODERNISM REBORN makes one wonder how the home of 1950 will inform and inspire the home of 2050, the mid-century home of tomorrow.



5. I bought this interesting book because I wanted something that would cover, visually, the best of mid-century American architecture. As another reviewer has said, don't expect a full technical account of the background to these beautiful houses but if you want excellent exterior and interior photos in a well designed and printed book, 'Modernism reborn' is the one to get.
   
   The fact that these thirty-five houses have all been restored in some way gives the book extra interest. Many of them were featured in the architectural press years ago when they were first built and these are the photos you usually see in books. Some of them were neglected but fortunately the current owners thought restoration worthwhile and this is how Roger Straus photographed them.
   
   An interesting companion book to 'Modernism reborn' is Classic Modern: Midcentury Modern At Home by Deborah K Dietsch, not directly concerned with the architecture but more to do with the furniture, fabrics, lighting and style that made these houses such wonderful homes. If only I could afford to live in one!
   
   ***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.

No comments about Italian Villas and Their Gardens: The Original 1904 Edition.

5 comments about Concrete at Home.

1. In CONCRETE AT HOME, concrete designer Fu-Tung Chen does just this, sharing with his readers the many creative uses he's found for concrete over the years. Floors, walls, countertops, sinks, fireplaces - Chen covers them all, with a decided flair for the fanciful.
   
   I approached CONCRETE AT HOME as a first-time homeowner who was toying with the idea of ripping out all of my home's flooring and staining the concrete slab underneath. And, I should specify, hiring a pro to do so, since I'm not the DIY type (at least not when it comes to the single largest investment of my life). It was with this newbie curiosity that I devoured CONCRETE AT HOME.
   
   Though I found CONCRETE AT HOME to be somewhat helpful and very enjoyable, it didn't totally quench my thirst for all that is concrete. Chen can't quite seem to decide on an intended audience in CONCRETE AT HOME; while he aims to explain the basics of concrete to average Janes like myself, he also includes advanced instructions for professionals. As a result, the book has a kind of schizophrenic quality. Although Chen does take the time to explain some of the fundamentals, it's not as complete or in-depth enough to qualify CONCRETE AT HOME as a Concrete 101 text. On the flip side, I imagine that concrete professionals will be equally dissatisfied with the brief instructions Chen includes for complicated concrete projects - such as working with forms and building walls (!). In trying to please everyone, I suspect Chen's resulting treatise will fall short of everyone's expectations.
   
   Even so, CONCRETE AT HOME is a must-read for those interested in concrete and its applications. It may be a bit spotty in coverage, but it's by far one of the most interesting, engaging, and inspiring concrete books I've yet to come across.
   
   Now I can't wait to get started on those floors!



2. I love this book- i own it as well as his original concrete counter top book and both work well as a team- this is a great book with interesting ideas and enough pictures and commentary to allow a DIYer to figure it out and turn out a successful product.



3. This book has given me an insight into what is available out there in the concrete world. Good book for the beginner trying to make concrete into an art piece.



4. WOW! Rare is the book that fulfills a professional carpenter's point of view and sound principles of design at the same time. Anyone who wants to know more about concrete formwork and designing owe it to themselves to buy this book. As for me I will watch for the next book by Fu-Tung Cheng as I expect it to yet again be a high caliber publication.



5. Very diverse examples of finished / polished concrete. Also includes some basic how-to projects.

5 comments about Informal.

1. This is one of the most important book about informal architecture.
   It is about how idea becomes possible reality. Instead of accept the way it is, it playfully explores the other way of merging engineering & architecture.



2. i bought it as a gift, based on information in the New York Times. don't know how it was received.



3. Informal is an extraordinary work. I guess the reason why it's so shocking is that the content of the book is not like those static structural forms or solutions that we see in structural class. The case studies that Balmond brings to the table are very recent and genuine by star architects. I guess I was shocked by the fact that all these architects are not structurally oriented architects such as Foster/ Piano/ Calatrava/ Hopkins. Rather, they are theoretically approaching architects such as Koolhaas/ Liebskind; or, tectonically approaching architects such as Siza. I never thought projects by them had anything to do with structural or mathmatical innovation. Reading Informal, one can easily detect where the originality lie in each project. Sometimes it's in the irregularity of geometry or sometimes it's in mathmatical mystery. Balmond contends that they are all in mother nature. Unlike a formal structural engineering (e.g. Peter Rice) Balmond's originality comes from the informal networks. In High-tech, the ingenuity of structural entity was condensed into joinery. Informal networks is much more diverse and complex than that. It is against the conventional formal structural idea of hierarchy/center/symmetry. Balmond argues, formal approach is defining a problem in a "fixed" or "contained" manner; hence, leading to a same old idea of solution/ detailing. In Informal, Balmond redefines it in a more active/dynamic geometry, to bring about unexpected realities. Sometimes through structural innovation and sometimes through special surface treatment, Balmond promoted and realized the ideas of star architects. Overall, he has freed architecture from the "Cartesian Cage".



4. It was quite interesting to get a look at the somewhat unusual engineering process of Cecil Balmond.

   And to discover his inputs behind some famous building, from Koolhas, Libeskind to Siza.

   The book is quite easy to read and don`t think you are going to get a structural crash course from Balmond (I must admit, I was bit disapointed of not finding that) but you do get the kind of passionate and heartily discussions you would get if you had the chance of drinking down a few drinks with Balmond and ending up with his famous sketches he drew on the bar's napkins.

   Expect a book with graphics and layout of Koolhas' SMLXL / Big fonts, dual-tone pictures.

   GOod read, good essay, not for someone looking for glossy pictures




5. Cecil Balmond is passionate and inspirational. When working with him, you know there is something amazing happening. I had the pleasure of having him as a studio instructor at Yale University, School of Architecture. Cecil believes in the possibilities of architecture and engineering working together in ways that enhance and grace both fields. This book brings his insight and passions together. I highly recommend it to engineers and architects alike.

No comments about Jeffrey Bilhuber: Defining Luxury: The Qualities of Life at Home.

5 comments about Color Drawing: Design Drawing Skills and Techniques for Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers.

1. I am a beginning artist. I am especially interested in drawing. This book has fabulous examples of using marker, pastel and colored pencil for bringing a drawing to the next level. The ideas brought forth are exactly what I have been searching for. The book also has references to other books which I have acquired. I also use graphic programs at work. This book takes a hand drawing into Photoshop for the next level as well. Awesome book!



2. this book is an awsome book for any designer intrested in improving their presentations, the book is very thorough and deals with a wide range of subjects....very recomended!!!!



3. It is a very handy book, but this edition is leaning more towards photoshop capabilities. The tips it gives for computer rendering are nice to know but I think it's sacrificing a bit of the hand rendering information which I would have liked to see more of.



4. I am an Interior Design major and my professor recommended this book for the use of Prismacolor markers. It gives you great advice on how to render (coloring using the Prismacolor markers to show colors and shadows) and different techniques so you can get the effect you want.



5. This book is a great reference book if you'd like to learn historical techniques used in rendering, such as diazo printing, as well as for basic guidance using Photoshop for rendering. However, I highly recommend using the 3rd edition along with a current Photoshop tutorial, or other rendering software for utilizing current digital techniques (all of the outdated Photoshop instructions have been removed from the 3rd edition).

5 comments about Realistic Architectural Visualization with 3ds Max and mental ray.

1. This is really good choice for me. Detailed one project sutdy. Actually I learned a lot from this book. Before Mental Ray / Lighting in 3D's Max was a puzzle for me. Know I really understand.
   
   Thanks,
   Regards,
   SAQIB



2. At first I was reluctant to buy this book as the previous books about mental ray were not so helpful;being a 3ds max user. I have to confess that I was utterly surprised to find out that this book explores most areas of mental ray usage. Moreover, i was delighted to have seen for the first time a book that touches on the subject about common mental ray errors, and how to overcome them.The "flash light effect" tutorial was another big surprise for me; especially as this technique has always been linked to Maxwell renderer.
   Having known jamie cardoso's work for years, I knew this book would be a good purchase.
   All tutorials were innovative and very easy to follow.
   Finally,the array of detailed 3D scenes,bitmaps and documentation make this book a very good value for money indeed. Many thanks to Jamie and Roger. ...Are you considering the second edition any time soon? This book left me wanting to know more.



3. If you've never done any design viz before (and I mean NEVER) you might benefit from this book. My biggest beef is that 90% of this book's content is laid out almost word for word in the Mental Ray tuts and user reference that ship with Max 9. At this price...hold off.



4. I must admit that i am really dissapointed with this book. To me it seems like the author just took the reference help menu and made it his own. These renders are not even close to realism. I thought by buying this book, i would gain some confidance in the archviz field. Unfortunately that is not the case. I will have to look elsewhere to gain that confidance and to get a better book or dvd tutorial on archviz. I am not new to 3D. I have worked in 3D for 7 years using 3ds max, and Maya. This book is more accurate to be marketed towards beginners and not towards mid level or professionals.



5. The objective of Architectural visualization is to produce high quality photorealistic images. Unfortunately this book falls far short of achieving that objective. The illustrations throughout are a huge and major disappointment and printing photorealistic images with a semi mat finish kills the renderings stone dead. The book largely replicates the settings information available in the 3ds User Reference so you're not going to learn any secret techniques that will make you a rendering expert with mental ray. I'd have to rate the presentation of this book as being at the bottom of the pile and given the blurb on the experience of the authors, I really expected something that set the bar a whole lot higher. The Appendix section on HDRI images and their use for lighting is woeful and the images are tinted with a orange/pink colour that leaves you wondering what the authors were trying to do as HDRI for lighting can produce truly spectacular renderings. Unfortunately you're not going to learn how to do it using this book though your renderings may improve if your a total beginner. There is too much emphasis (and illustrations of) problem with mental ray renderings - one screen capture is a totally black box - that could have been described in a few sentences. Showing problems is not something that needs to be illustrated as that just wastes precious paper that could have been used to provide useful information. When combined with it's 'tick this, change that setting' approach of the authors, this book is a very unsatisfactory work that skips and skims over the workings of mental ray and its setting, which is probably something that more advanced users really want to know. What the authors tell you about mental ray can be found in the 3ds User Reference where it is clearly covered in about the same amount of detail. Readers are looking for snappy solutions for rendering with mental ray and unfortunately this book fails to deliver. As a reader I feel it's a total let down. The DVD with the book contains the models and textures used throughout the book and these are welcome. A redeeming feature of the book are the screen captures for 3ds settings, which are very clear. If you've used mental ray in 3ds for any period of time then this book probably isn't for you as it seems to be aimed more at novice users and those not totally familiar with the 3ds interface. The appendices take up one third of the book, which seems a bit excessive given that the book is supposed to be about producing high quality renderings with mental ray.