3 comments about Katsura: Imperial Villa.

1. If you want some solicitude and repose, here is a book for you.
   This book is extremely well crafted to show the essence of Katsura.
   Status of Katsura in Japanese garden art production does not
   demand any further explanation. Katsura is to Japan, what Alhambra is to Andalusia!
   
   In it, I found that disciplinary simplicity can be profound and strong.
   Especially in a world where one is inundated with images and media.
   Katsura is an art that invites physical presence and spiritual
   meditation. In that sense, it's an irony and a paradox to recommend to
   experience Katsura thru a book...
   
   Katsura is an art of water & island body formation/ relationally
   positioning pavilions / sculpting stones/ borrowing landscapes/ laying
   stone/ perfecting the shoji screens and combing the thatched roofs
   naming the places and tea pavilions to arouse imagination/ etc, etc, etc.
   
   However, what makes it stand out is that each mode of art does not stand
   alone. It had synergetic effect by being relational to one and another.
   Combined together, the density of experience exponentially grow to
   challenge infinitum. Hence, here is an art that tells us, "the whole is
   eternally greater than the parts."
   
   The parts are orchestrated in such a way to arouse the art of seduction.
   Not in a flamboyant manner, but in a subtly simple manner. Photographic
   images in the book tell us the multi-faceted, yet almost tea-ceremonially
   calm, story of Katsura. The book will make you retreat from the bustling
   noisiness of daily life.
   
   Isozaki's nicely written essay propels the experience of Kasura to
   a thinking level. He has placed his viewpoint in contrast to the earlier
   writers such as Bruno Taut/ Sutemi Horiguchi/ Kenzo Tange. Tange's
   earlier writing was Mondrian-like, cropping Katsura to a abstract level.
   The essay by Isojaki sets the curatorial tone to the images. It's very
   expository, revealing indigenous and rustic elements.
   
   The book also provides the hidden dimension of buildings. By providing
   field-measured drawings, readers will be able to analyze quintessential
   element of plans and sections of traditional buildings. Five past
   writings of world-class architects and critics are also part of
   publication.



2. I have been to Katsura several times, and have several books on Katsura villa, and this new book is the best.
   This is how architectural books should be produced and photographed so other architects and people interested in architecture can actually learn and use the book not only as a beautiful catalog but as a tool.
   
   The beautiful photographs are architecturally photograhed in 1 point perspective except for details, gardens, and exterior. This is helpful as you can deduct the proportion and scale of the rooms. Most of the drawings have measurements, and are very well drawn.
   
   The introduction and text by Isozaki is excellent for understanding Katsura and Japanese architectural idealogy. Additionally, there are several past texts by Tange, Taut, Gropius, and etc. to get different perspectives.
   
   Katsura, along with several temples and villas have been meticulously maintained for the last 400 years.



3. The best way to know the traditional architecture of Japan. Very good pictures, technical drawings and very interesting articles explaining the Katsura Villa.

No comments about Remaking Beijing: Tiananmen Square and the Creation of a Political Space.

3 comments about California Bungalows of the Twenties.

1. I have been thinking of redoing my present home that is only 12 years old..after opening this book, it was like a step back in time, to homes that always had that warm feeling of welcome. It has sparked a number of ideals for some changes inside and out...Two other books that I found helpful are:
   
   "Outside the Bungalow" for gardening
   "Inside the Bungalow" for decorating



2. California Bungalows of the Twenties is one of a series of reproductions published by Dover, of house plans. These books are actually exact reprints of original plan books from the turn of the century (1880-1925, roughly). Dover adds little or no modern explanations, just presenting the catalog as it was. So when one looks to review these books, one isn't really judging the modern-day publisher, or editing, or writing. The only modern element is the accuracy of reproduction- in some cases, if pages in the originals that Dover found are damaged or torn, that page is reproduced in the original with the tear, smudge, blot, or hole showing. So to judge the books, one has to compare each one to others of its kind, and then to decide whether the material in it is thorough and complete according to the standards of its time. Since there are several dozen of these catalogs published by Dover, we have the basis for such a comparison.

   "California Bungalows" was originally titles "Wilson's California Bungalow." The book starts with a description of what all stock plans include, how much it costs to get duplicates, etc. There's not much about the philosophy of the architect, as in some books. (For example, Radford's Artistic Bungalows says quite a lot about how they went to great lengths to hire architects experienced in the design of small-and-medium sized houses, and about how costs can or cannot be estimated in advance, and so on. This book doesn't have that.) On the other hand, with each individual house, there is description of some of the features of the house, ones that wouldn't necessarily be visible right away, such as that a mantel is made of brick, or the dining room built-in buffet has glass doors and a plate mirror. That's a nice touch. Each description has an estimate of what it would cost to build the house.

   The illustrations of each house vary widely - some are photos of finished houses, some are detailed drawings/paintings, and some are just sketches/line drawings. So one doesn't get the same level of information about the appearance of every house. Some of the illustrations are face-on, meaning we see only the front of the house, and can only imagine the sides from the floor plans. On the other hand, for many of the houses, a second illustration is included, of at least one room of the interior. Fully-furnished living rooms are shown; or an illustration of a "typical bathroom" showing what types of fixtures are expected; there's a full-page illustration of "Wilson's Buffet Kitchen" with cut-away view of the cabinets, and complete with a maid in an apron working at the stove. There are several pages showing what styles of dining room buffets, or sideboards, are available, and a section showing doors and locksets you can actually order.

   Almost all the floor plans are large and readable, although a few are quite cluttered; with every closet described as broom closet or linen closet, the lettering outstretches the space available. There's also a disconcerting habit, at least to my modern eyes, of referring to the inside chimney as a "thimble" - maybe that was a contemporary usage, but I can't recall seeing it in any other catalog.

   In sum: good plans, lots of details on interiors, good ideas on how such houses were furnished; poorer aspect is that some houses are presented only with a sketch. Overall, a good book, one that can give a beginner a good introduction to plan books and to the lifestyles of the period. And the price is great for what you get.




3. This is a reprint of a 1920's bungalow catalogue. This slim (120 page) volume contains plans for some seventy houses. Most examples contain an exterior phot or perspective rendering and a floor plan. Some examples contain interior views. There is also a section on interior components such as dors, hardware, buitl-ins. This part would be a good resource for the person interested in an authentic restoration of a bungalow. I found the floor plans to be the most valuable part of this book, since most current books on bungalows do not contain plans. It is not a great single-source book, howver for the low price it is an excellent complimentrary resource.

4 comments about Dubai Architecture & Design (Architecture & Design Books).

1. I stayed in Dubai and slept in the wonderful Burj-al-arab, you will find inside this book marvelous pictures and the most important projects that are helding in Dubai now and in the immediate future.
   Strongly recommended for all the people interested in design!



2. Good idea, but didn't introduce by high quality professional photos, images, graphics. I dissapointed very much



3. I have watched Dubai evolve from an ancient middle eastern desert State to the most talked about architectually unique and cutting edge communities on the planet, where architectural creativity has no limits imposed. I purchased this book as a gift for an outstanding architect and he was captivated and inspired.
   If you want to inspire the creative genius in anyone, of any profession, this story of the recent evolution of Dubai through architecture would be a perfect choice.



4. Dubai is the hub of the modern Middle East: a growing city sporting the world's largest luxury hotel and more, but it's important to note that DUBAI: ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN is the first book published solely on its architecture and design. Any interested in Middle Eastern culture and arts should have this, from college-level art libraries to specialty collection on the Mid East: it charts the roots of modern Middle Eastern design, pairing full-page color photos with insights on architectural achievement and history. While it's a specialty item, its importance is unsurpassed for such holdings.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

4 comments about Everything You Need to Know About Building the Custom Home: How to Be Your Own General Contractor.

1. Bought the book, but found a dream home before we had the chance to start building. I would recommend it highly if you are thinking about being your own contractor.



2. This book should probably have been called "How to Prepare Yourself Legally and Financially to Build Your Own Home." The title it does have is not representative of the book's true focus, and I believe does a disservice to those who want a construction book *and* those who would benefit from the legal and financial information it so richly covers. One group is disappointed, while the other skips over it because they think it doesn't apply to their needs.

   To be blunt, the actual construction process is not very well covered. For instance, owner-builders probably do not know what types of materials are high quality vs. just high price tag vs. "standard" and possibly inadequate. That is a huge hole in the book -- materials overall are skimmed over. The one time they got specific, they almost sounded like a commercial for Andersen windows. I'm sure Andersen windows are just fine, but I seriously doubt that you simply "must" buy them to have resell value in your house.

   The other huge hole is how to manage the actual building phase -- what to expect, pitfalls and such. Yes, it has a chart, but it's hard to read (it's sideways!), there is no explanation if the numbers signify days or weeks, and in general it is not adequate. There was a very short chapter at the very end on common mistakes, but once again it seemed to skim over that information. Also, I realize that every house is built differently, but it would have been nice to have one example project used throughout the book so that the reader could see a cohesive picture of how that particular house was built. Nothing like a concrete example!

   In spite of its shortcomings and the rather dated ideas about what makes a home have resell value (this book was written in the early 90s, just as "starter castles" with cavernous ceilings and huge greatrooms were becoming popular), this book offers a ton of good -- and most importantly, timeless -- information.

   In a nutshell:

   If you need or want to know about the financial and legal process of building your own house, right down to the surveying, appraising and loans, including sample contracts and forms, then buy this book.

   If you are interested in a guide on how to actually *build* a quality, custom home that has updated materials lists, a detailed example schedule and realistic work/time/money expectations, worksheets and samples of change orders, contracts for craftsmen and other construction sundries, then do not buy this book.




3. This book really went into detail on how to finance, how to choose a site, and a lot of other preparation processes for building a home. What it is severly lacking in is a detailed idea of how to schedule the home building process. It has a flow diagram, but does not have any detail behind each task. The most important piece of building a home in an established time is to know the order of when to schedule work; when to pick household items, colors, flooring, etc; when to install the septic system or run electricity; when to decide on the type of cabinets (stain or paint grade); etc. All of these items are critical to obtaining a quality home, at the lowest cost, in the quickest time possible. Many home builders are 1)delayed by the simple fact that they do not know about the steps until they are delaying the process and 2)surprised by the cost of the home because they established a price based on unknown selection criteria. Change orders mean increased cost and time to any project. I would like to find a book that really addresses these issues for a home builder.




4. This book covers both house buying and working with contractors. Do not be put off by its title; I would recommend it even if you are buying a standard house or building an addition to your existing house.

   Although it seems to be very specific to building a new custom house, in fact it gives excellent advice on all phases of buying a house or lot (including evaluating it, bargaining, financing, etc.) as well as finding contractors, negotiating with them, etc. It assumes you are going to be your own general contractor, but even if you are not, its advice is pertinent and useful.

   Some of the discussions of contracts and payment schedules may seem a bit nit-picky, but you ought to read "The Home Remodeler's Combat Manual" to show why it can be necessary.

   I find it much better than Bob Vila's book on house buying, and also better than House Buying Step-by-Step (which was the best among the other books I found at the bookstore).

   It's unfortunate that its title makes its scope seem so narrow.

   (I wrote the above in 1995, and don't know if anything even better has come along since then.)

4 comments about Palm Beach Houses.

1. This is an easy book to navigate, the text is informative, and the photographs are nicely done. I was a bit disappointed that some of the grandeur mansions where absent, but the largest, Mar-A-Lago was included, and that was appreciated. None of the homes are explored in great detail and though every home has an image, I would have liked to have seen more visuals, but as I have stated above the images are well done and the book does cover an impressive list of homes. I recommend this book as a good sampling of Palm Beach homes, but hardly definitive, maybe someone will be able to gain access at some point to some of the grandest private estates, and here's hoping they bring a camera with plenty of gig's.



2. I received my book in good condition and in a timely manner. I appreciate the packaging and promptness.



3. My boss has this book to get ideas for designing custom homes for high-profile clients. I have read the book from cover to cover but every time I open it, it seems like I discover anew more pictures & details of these beautiful homes. These Palm Beach houses were built as if they were competing with one another for the title of 'most splendid work of art'. Most are not sprawling mansions or overly complicated expressions of the wealth of their owners. They are, however, fine examples of the architecture of Palm Beach summer homes of the 1920's priveleged upper class.

   I love this book. Of course It would be nice if there were floorplans. And as usual one closes the book wishing he could see more photos of each of the houses. But there are many stunning photos. Kudos to the photographer. It is well worth the money and I will get it someday if I can no longer borrow it from my boss.




4. This fine coffee table book is filed with wonderful photographs of a small selection of some of the finest mansions in the country. The ranges of houses from Adam and Regency, to simple clapboard, to Spanish/Moorish is excellent. The text is informative, accurate and well written. If interested in South Florida fine architecture, this book is a must.

5 comments about Nicolaides The Natural Way to Draw: A Working Plan for Art Study.

1. I'm sure this book is all that many reviewers have shared but for me,being a complete beginner, its way over my head and abilities. I need to work at an entry level and continue before I can appreciate and grasp all this author offers. I have found, The New Drawing on The Right Side of The Brain to give me this. also picked up Keys to Drawing & Secrets to Drawing REalistic Faces. Each of these selections are better suited to the level I'm at and didn't overwhelm me to take this artform on.



2. This book is essential for everyone who wants to learn how to draw and the theory behind it. A classic.



3. Although I have been life drawing for more than 30 years, I feel that the Gesture exercises of Nicolaides book have brought more expontainety and vitality to my work.



4. THIS BOOK SO CONFUSED ME, I MEAN IT IS A REALLY GOOD BOOK... IT JUST CONFUSED MY WAY OF DRAWING.



5. This book is really cool. The author has an interesting approach to learning to draw. Be prepared to spend a lot of time doing excercises that seem pointless. but in fact actually help you to become familiar with the human form.

3 comments about Designing Houses.

1. I purchased another of Lester Walker's books A Little House of My Own: 47 Grand Designs for 47 Tiny Houses and fell hard for this man's obvious love of good building techniques and his eco-consciousness. DESIGNING HOUSES is out of print but there ARE absolutely bargain priced copies out there waiting to be snapped up by some very intelligent person (like yourself!).
   
   I love the cartoon format (making it "user friendly" before that term was coined) and the very, very simple explanations of what are actually fairly technical architect's terms. Even "I" - Ms. Ten Thumbs - could conceive of a wonderful design for the straw bale house I will retire to in a decade or two. It takes a bit of concentration to actually make the drawings but YOU CAN DO IT.
   
   For constantly making the less accessible VERY MUCH MORE accessible I highly recommend this book and this author. Look up his other books on Amazon and treat yourself to some truly interesting and useful information and really lovely photography.



2. I am a builder in Hilo, Hawaii. I have used this book for many (25) years in presenting a class at the University of Hawaii in Hilo, "The Owner Builder". It is clear, concise and brief enough that the authors are able to get their point across without without boring to the reader.

   An architect friend of mine, while recommending the book to me said, "This is everything I learned in architecture school in four years, distilled into one small paperback". I couldn't agree more!

   I would strongly recommend that you NOT lend this book to anyone, as it will most likely NOT be returned! I truly hope it will be back in print soon!

   Aloha! Eliot Merk, Hilo Hawaii




3. This little book presents a complex subject with brevity and wit. It is well illustrated and primes the reader to explore the subject in more detail, while giving an overview of the process of home design. Why is it not in print? Shame! Shame!

5 comments about Fallingwater: Frank Lloyd Wright's Romance With Nature.

1. Lynda S. Waggoner presents an alluring collection of photographs and commentary that will interest the architect or anyone who's had an eye for the artistical-architectural renderings of the legendary work of Frank Lloyd Wright. As curator and administrator, Waggoner's first hand accounts of Fallingwater provides the reader with an up-close narrative behind and inside the home with the basic origins of the construction and inspiration that led to the inception of Wright's American masterpiece; he blended both nineteenth century natural observations that derived from Walt Whitman to Henry David Thoreau with landscape.
   
   FALLING WATER provides insight to Frank Lloyd's inspiration of constructing Fallingwater. In essence, he wanted to reconnect with nature and the nineteenth century romanticism of the wilderness, but with the natural expressions that were innate and organic; one may suggest he possessed an inkling of eastern inspiration. The several quotes throughout the book from Whitman, Thoreau, Emerson, Rushkin, and as well Wright and Edward Kaufmann, Jr. will provide a perfect poetic composition that complements the beautiful photographs of the house and the outlining natural landscape. Wright says it best: "In the realm of organic architecture human imagination must render the harsh language of structure into becomingly humane expressions of form instead of devising inanimate facades or rattling bones of construction. Poetry of form is as necessary to great architecture as foliage is to the tree, blossoms to the plant or flesh to the body" (23).
   
   So, if you are looking for a coffee table book that does not leave a lot of clutter, FALLING WATER: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT'S ROMANCE WITH NATURE will definitely provide the balance. It is a little book packed with much content. And most likely, it will leave you wanting to share it with others.



2. My objectives in reading and collecting books about domestic architecture generally focus on gathering information about how I might approach the design of the internal and external details for use in my own (dream) home.

   Frank Lloyd Wright is a constant source of inspiration in my endeavours as he designed and built many wonderful houses... and one of his most famous works is the subject of this book.

   My initial impressions of this book were good, although I was probably taken-in by the wonderful photo on the cover of the book more than anything else. Upon having a quick flip through the book, I found there were some lovely photos of the house and it's surrounds and there was some mention made of how the house was created to suit its environment and how it was an example of Frank Lloyd Wright's "Organic Architecture".

   However, upon a detailed reading of the book, although I found a few more interesting photos and some thought-provoking philosophical quotations, the detail was practically non-existent and the book was ultimately unsatisfying. No mention was made of what sort of thinking went behind the design of the house and why things were done the way they were... and there weren't even any significant diagrams or floor plans of the house included, except for a simple site layout on the last page of the book, which looked like it was added more as an afterthought than as something that would be informative to the reader.

   In short, although the book gives me about a dozen new photos of Fallingwater, it doesn't really add to my knowledge of Frank Lloyd Wright's design philosophies and, given the price of this book, I would suggest this book belongs on the corner of a coffee table, rather than in an amateur architect's reference bookshelf.




3. My family went to see fallingwater, and all of my dad's film was ruined! I bought this book for him, and it serves as the perfect reminder of our trip. It includes gorgeous photographs, fitting quotes, a plan of fallingwater, and a bit of the history. If you're looking for tons of information, this is definitely NOT the book for you. But if you're looking for beautiful pictures and a precious keepsake, this is a wonderful book. ENJOY!



4. Fallingwater is considered by many to be Frank Lloyd Wright's greatest home design, and by many others to be one of the very finest American homes ever built. Perched atop a waterfall in southwestern Pennsylvania in the Allegheny mountains, the site is visually stunning . . . and the home's organic connection to the site will astonish you.

   Fallingwater was designed for the Edgar Kaufmann family of Pittsburgh to be a weekend retreat away from the bustle of city life. One of Frank Lloyd Wright's comments about homes is that they must be "integral to site; integral to environment; integral to the life of the inhabitants." Judged by that standard, you will agree, if you are like me, that Fallingwater is his best work. The Kaufmanns wanted to have a romantic experience in the house, and he certainly provided them with one. The siting allows a Southern exposure for almost all of the rooms, a view of the waterfall and/or woods, and the constant sound of the waterfall. The final design captures nicely his sense of Nature's dual character, "unrestrained . . . power in contrast to its subtler, ordered beauty." The material and colors are drawn from the area as much as possible, and in some views, the home seems like simply part of the rocks it is perched on.

   The quotes are usually attached to specific photographs that catch the various views you see of Fallingwater from any ground position or perspective and the views from Fallingwater. They capture ideas from Wright and nonarchitectural thinkers as diverse as Thoreau and Ruskin.

   The photographs are the best part of this book. Since you will probably not be one of the 160,000 visitors who come in most years, these images are the way you can know the home. Almost all are in color, and are nicely distributed throughout the four seasons. My only complaint is that the book's page size should have been larger to permit a stronger connection between the viewer and these remarkable scenes. If you are like me, you will hear the water as you commune with the images.

   Through the essay and quotes, Fallingwater curator and administrator Lynda S. Waggoner does a marvelous job of using Fallingwater to also demonstrate the essential concepts of all Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture and interior design.

   After you read and enjoy this book, think a little about where you live. How have you made nature more accessible? What else could you do to make your living there to be more relaxed and natural, and to balance the rest of your life?

   Feel connected to all the life and natural objects around you . . . and be refreshed!




5. I have found that developing an interest in architecture is principly one of exposure to excellence. This book does that with a minimum of text(although very concise and informative) and a beautiful arrangement of photographs in a manageable size. The brief history of the family and Wright's involvement is excellent! Thank you, Lynda S. Waggoner.

1 comments about Albert Speer: Conversations with Hitler's Architect.

1. In some ways this is more phycological than historical. While the facts are all there, at least all the fact that Speer allowed them to be told, it is the authors presentation of the facts that is so interesting. At every step of the unfolding drama of Speer's life, the author challenges the facts in an effort to get Speer to reveal more of his knowledge and, ultimately, his responsibility for the actions of the Third Reich. While it never really becomes clear what Speer knew and when he knew it, we do begin to understand where Speer is most sensitive to the author's probes and, as a consequence, where Speer could be hiding some detail. All in all it is a fascinating portrait of one of the key insiders to Hitler's Germany. We learn who he distrusted, who he thought stupid and who he admired. Speer was also not above gossip, particularly in his recounting of Hitler's relationship with Winifred Wagner. While this book is not a true biography of Speer, it is a fine phycological portrait of the man.