1 comments about Programs and Manifestoes on 20th-Century Architecture.

1. This book is mandatory for the library of any architect or student of architecture. It is the point from which any discussion of Modern Architecture could begin. I am hard pressed to think of a notable architect Conrad has neglected to include in this handy little book. From these pages I have seen generated a good number of arguments and debates on the state of architecture today. This is a small price to pay for such a wide array of ideas, both good and bad.

5 comments about Drawing and Designing with Confidence: A Step-by-Step Guide.

1. this book has nothing to show for designing principles at all it mostly or complety center itself with the graphical presentation of a theme, more usefull for a first year architectural student that hasnt yet started in the graphical expression portion of his academic pensum but for someone with more than a year of study has little or nothing to contribute.



2. Mike Lin is considered the master by many on this topic. I refer back to his work many times. I would consider purchasing a supplementary "how-to" book (e.g. Grant Reid's Landscape Graphics) which describes process in a little more detail.
   
   Enjoy.



3. If you are buying this book because it is required text for his talk, do yourself a BIG service and get your refund, immediately. He promises to deliver how to teach you graphics in 7 or 12 days, depending on location, and he WILL NOT deliver! He takes your money, teaches, perhaps, what equates to two days of real teaching and continously tells you how privileged you are to learn these things from him. The remaining time is spent on his non-stop blathering about non-related ideas like his philosophy, websites (like myspace,etc), his house, etc., etc. I never knew any one person could talk SO much about nothing. He opens with 3 hours of lecture about not complaining about anything (by that I can only assume he has had many unhappy people in his past workshops). If you complain about his content, he threatens not to teach you anything. He calls that being a negative person. He wastes your valuable time and your hard earned money. BE FOREWARNED!



4. You have to put in some time but this book gives you all the tools you need to draw well. I can already see my progress after a few hours. Highly recommend this book.



5. The book has alot of great art work and teaches some inetersting points but unless you already an acomplished artist, this book will bore you,over whlem you, and mabe even discourage you.
   
   I didn't feel the confidence the books title said it would give. Mabe I will reread it when I have the confidence in my art work to understand what the book is talking about.
   
   Its not that its a bad book, its just filled with alot of bla bla bla and not enough instruction-

5 comments about A History of Interior Design.

1. WOW! beautifully organized and articulated. thoughtful and well-rounded discussion of the variation and evolution of interior design. it was purchased to use as a course resource (on 20th century American consumer culture), but am now tempted to buy my OWN copy.



2. It's a very interesting book, it offers a vew over design from ancient times to ower days. We can follow the developement of design over time. The book is recomended especialy for professional designers.



3. I really do enjoy the book except that on some important topics in the class I am taking with this book there is little information. Nonetheless on the topics it greatly expands upon the book shows impressive and accurate knowledge. The pictures also aid in examples and are for the msot part the best picture examples that any book could offer.



4. If you're bored with historical overviews of a discipline, you're in for a surprise. Pile brings interior design to life with vibrant examples, wonderful background detail, and the kind of information that will help you understand this arena with much more depth.



5. History of Interior Design is great. I study interior design and, without John Pile's books, this wide-ranging subject would have been far more difficult. Studying the subject "history of interior design" would have been such a struggle for me without having this book at my side. I just couldn't find all I needed on the internet. Apart from the high quality paper and excellent images, John Pile has a writing style that gets his point across very clearly. That makes for rapid reading and faster absorption of information.

5 comments about Landscapes for Small Spaces: Japanese Courtyard Gardens.

1. This is a beautiful book. I'm giving it 5 stars even though I was actually hoping for a little more reading material and insight - the imagery is wonderful.



2. Wonderful book with great photos and examples, some from different angles which are very useful to understand the actual lay out of these great Japanese gardens. Could use more in dept explanation of technical characteristics, but non the less wonderful.



3. This book is not only a great picture book, but it also provides wonderful descriptions of the Japanese gardens featured - succinct and informative. If you like landscaping with the Japanese feel, you'll enjoy this book.



4. The book is excellent but the dust cover was torn obviously before despatch as the packaging was good.
   The disappointment was that there was no method of complaint other than returning the product. From Australia to USA not practible.



5. I've been through a lot of Japanese gardening books, and many of been a little repetitive, covering the basic design elements and what not. Mizuno has put together a great "Intermediate" read once you've had enough of the basics. The pictures are some of the best available of authentic Japanese gardens, and the captions are short and to the point but with just enough plant identifications to be useful to someone in their planning stage.
   
   Perhaps the best feature of this book is the introductory discussion on the "Omoteya style" town home (traditional Japanese merchant class town home). The text suggest there is a conservation movement to this vanishing style of Japanese home that mirrors the affection American's are beginning to culture towards the Bungalow. As the Omoteya styled homes share similar dimensions with the American city lot (diagrams are provided with the text), this book is a fabulous resource to urban dwellers looking to incorporate the Japanese garden concept to their grassy postage stamp.

5 comments about A History of Architecture: Settings and Rituals.

1. I was very happy with the purchase, mainly because it was $50 off retail price and was free to ship.



2. Covers all the major styles and period the Western tradition of architecture. It does one chapter on Asian architecture but no single chapter can cover all the styles and history of the Asian countries of India, China, Japan, etc. It will be great for any aspiring architect who wants to have a good foundation...or to anyone who wants to appreciate the history of spatial design, and decoratives more.



3. This book was devised by a profoundly politically-correct mind. It is hard to read, inaccessible for an enthusiastic amateur, filled with historical gaps for a professional, and turns more often to social issues than to actual history of architecture. I don't know where to begin to list its omissions in terms of illustrations. On top of that, paperback is just too heavy and falls apart. I bought it at a clearance within a year after publication, it tells you something.



4. Even though greek architecture is a bit too much covered, students can enjoy the details about the history of architecture, as one can see the development of architecture and mankind step by step. Texts sometimes gets hard to understand.



5. Many great pics. Text is a little hard to understand.

5 comments about Inside the Bungalow: America's Arts and Crafts Interior.

1. Great source for anyone who is considering doing and architectural project, either interior or exterior, with an Arts and Crafts feeling.



2. This book contains big color photographs of interiors; reference guide at the end of the book detailing resources of Arts and Crafts literature and furnishings



3. This is a user friendly book to have close at hand. If you're like me I am always looking at ways to incorporate colors, designs and arts and crafts style into our 1922 Chalet Arts and Craft's home. I especially appreciate all the colorful pictures and the textiles shown. Paint, stenciling and wallcoverings being modest in cost and are realistic changes that are indeed affordable. Lots of ideas and examples to pull a room together. I refer to the book frequently and I am pleased I bought it.



4. For newly into the arts and crafts movement and restoring our bungalow, this book concentrates exactly where we needed it to -- the interior. From shots of wonderful restored homes to our favorite section (before and after), this book will become our favorite resource. Excellently focused!



5. As soon to be purchasers of an 'arts & crafts' home in the Hudson Valley (NY), my husband and I never heard of 'arts & crafts' style homes. This book has been such a wonderful inspiration for us. The book is filled with color photos, wonderful ideas, themes and history! We will borrow from what we've learned and put those concepts, colors etc to great use in our new home. What was especially dramatic was the before and after pix of rooms/homes. You won't be disappointed in this purchase.

No comments about Large Parks.

No comments about Theory of Mouldings (Classical America Series in Art and Architecture).

1 comments about New Bar and Club Design.

1. This book is a classy edition to library of any nightclub industry professional and to anyone who enjoys fine design.
   
   A sequel to "Bar and Club Design", a book I have not had the opportunity to view, this second book is reminiscent of the popular photograph books published with works of famous photographers. It is physically weighted, an unusual, square shape with high quality glossy pages. The book is divided by chapters that categorize the types of bars. Starting with bars, the book leads into restaurant bars, hotel bars, and clubs.
   
   It visually captures fifty of the worlds most beautifully designed bars and clubs with detailed text descriptions that tell a story of their own. There are several floor plans that show the uniqueness of each of these clubs, beyond the photograph. Ryder, the books author, is a journalist from London specializing in lifestyle topics and interior design. This explains why each image in the book appears a true work of art.
   
   Visit Coconclub in Moscow, Russia which is described as a "giant termite mound" by the author and as a "four level biomorphic formation like a mountain peppered with caves, suddenly put inside a building with a an eclectic façade" by its architects. The images that follow are an amazing feat of architecture and artwork weaved together.
   
   See how Hajime in Tokyo, Japan has maximized the appearance of a small square footage area using some illumination and shadowing to create the illusion of a much larger space. Or the 2 million dollar color changing XL club in New York. The ideas, creativity and beauty seems endless.
   
   This is a pleasant read and even more pleasant just to thumb through and enjoy the photographic art that it contains. If you own a bar or club, let it inspire you to make changes and differentiate your bar from others. If you just enjoy the nightlife, know that there are fascinating places you can spend your time.

1 comments about The Houses of Greenwich Village.

1. I was raised in, and lived most of my adult life in, New York's Greenwich Village. I purchased this book thinking that I might see some of the many homes I knew, both famous and infamous, as well as the streets of that neighborhood. -- Well, if that's what you hope for, too, then move on.... This book looks like ANY recent copy of Architectural Digest, showing ANY rich & well-to-do home in ANY city or town. Nothing about this picture book looks like Greenwich Village. It's strickly a high-end type of generic furniture catalog. A real waste of cash.