3 comments about Off The Grid Homes.

1. Has very little for which I was looking. A lot of white space per page around pretty photos of architectually interesting structures that are off-grid. A lot of paper material for few words and little useful information. If you want information to help you know what it takes to go off-grid, this isn't it; it's just coffee table cosmetics.



2. This book was really fun to read. The pictures were beautiful and the surrounding of most of the homes were incredible. Some times the floor plans were a bit confusing and one of them had no definitions for the numbers that represented the rooms. It definately inspired me to do more with less and to consider green building as my next project. I was a bit dissapointed in the definitions of some of the energy saving apparatuses. I wish that the book would have gone into more detail on the excerpts of geothermal, solar hot water, PV arrays, and wind turbines. At best these were teasers and left me wanting much more explaination. I will say it gave me a world of great ideas. I would be very interested in a book on totally off the grid, fully functional with flushing toilets etc incorporating all aspects of rain water collection, grey water heating and collection, optimal design to do this and more, plus sub 1200 square feet homes that offer options on what can be afforded. In depth explainations on all the buzz words like living machines what it entails (cost,size,optimal location, size vs. amount processed per hr or day or what? better diagrams with flow directions and larger in format etc. This should give the author another book to write that I for sure will purchase. I am well over 13!



3. Nature is efficient. To become sustainable, we need to relearn the art of efficiency. The six "off the grid" homes featured in this book include two that are over 4,000 sq'. Did the author consider how much energy it took to build these things? The smallest house is about 1,600 sq' and it is the only one of the six that is actually off the grid. Four of the others are on intertie connections and one is featured because it uses geothermal. A more honest title would be "How to Generate Some of the Energy Required by Your Oversized House". This book demonstrates that sustainability depends not so much on changes in technology but changes in the way we think. Two books which I found helpful in changing my understanding of shelter are the classic "Owner Built Home" by Ken Kern and "The Hand-Sculpted House" by Evans, Smith and Smiley.

1 comments about Spa & Health Club Design.

1. With the increasing understanding of the importance of exercise, has also come the understanding that the old fashioned gym like Rocky might have used, upstairs over the pool hall, has given way to places designed to attract the upper scale clientelle of today.
   
   Ms. Castillo has carefully collected a set of photographs of newly built spa and health clubs from around the world. Literally from all over the world: Australia, Vienna, Canada, China, all over Europe. These spa's represent what the best architects are doing in this area. The book is an idea book for people interested in the area. This would include no only architects, but people like hotel management, spa operators, or even the home owner looking to put in his own unit.
   
   For me two points really stand out in these designs:
   
   1. The integration of the new, almost exoctic spa into a standard hotel design, or perhaps fit into an existing building of any age or architecture.
   
   2. The large use of water. This can be swiming pools, fountains, hot tubs or whatever. It seems that water is an integral part of the new spa.
   
   Beautiful photographs carefully selected to illustrate what can be done.

5 comments about Underground Homes.

1. The book was shipped quickly and at a fare shipping cost. Book had a lot of good information. Be more than glad to do business with them again.



2. This may be a little book in pages,but it is definitely worth it. There are step by step procedures to follow for building an underground / earth berm home.It covers the pitfalls of inappropriate drainage and also Earth-roof designs. There are new techniques now for Earth-roof designs that would be well deserved reading. With energy costs so exorbitant one would think this type of building would stage a comeback.



3. The layman who wants an easy introduction to planning and building an earth-sheltered home typically has plenty of construction guides to choose from, but UNDERGROUND HOMES differs from most in offering all the basics, from site choice and waterproofing and insulation choices to handling problems unique to subterranean homes, such as determining the local water table and handling heating and cooling systems for different climates. The basics are all covered in easy language and diagrams.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. Interested.

   Trying to be as fair as possible. The book is interesting to say the least. I would use it as a guide if I were building /and I, my wife and I might just do that. We have just retired and our retirement home will be either underground or a log cabin. her and my choice respectively, so both of us are looking into the possibilities. I will use your book as a reference. I have obtained a copy from a friend and will see how the progression goes from there. I will stay in touch.




5. This book is fairly old (1978; revised in 1980), and slim (only 107 pages of text). But there aren't too many books that cover underground homes, and this is a fair overview.

   If you're just starting to think about building a house, and want to consider the underground or earth-sheltered option, this book makes a decent starting point. You'll need to search out other materials if the idea strikes your fancy, though.

   Chapter titles:
   ---------------
   Introduction
   Lot or Land
   Structure

   Waterproofing
   Insulation
   Interior
   Natural Light
   Heating and Cooling Systems
   Exterior
   Standard Roofs: A Compromise Solution
   Building Sequence
   Conclusion
   Reference Material
   Index

2 comments about Luxury Equestrian Design (Luxury Books).

1. I really enjoyed this book. The photos are breathtaking. A book for the horse lover and photographer.



2. While packed with lovely photographs and high quality printing, this volume is a real disappointment. It strikes me as not knowing its market--it is quite superficial and not for the serious horseperson, but by the same token doesn't seem aimed at those with a romantic affection for equestrian matters or the "lifestyle."

5 comments about Exhibition Design.

1. As project manager I work with museum exhibitions more then 10 years. I found the book very good - text, photos, case selection. I would like to recomend this book for museum people, designers, project managers. let's make our museums interesting for visitors, this is real chelenge in pop culture time.



2. Modern exhibitions have to compete in a fast-changing leisure market and must make use of technology and techniques that in the past have been associated with film and retail worlds. It's all about the experience - and here to address these changing needs is EXHIBITION DESIGN, packed with examples of successful exhibitions from around the world from both trade fairs to fine-art holdings and smaller artist-designed displays. Both history and technique blend in a title which teaches by example and by conceptual review, making it a top pick for college-level art libraries serious about teaching the finer art of successful exhibition processes for artists or museum curators.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. There are few sources such as this one - EXHIBITION DESIGN - that share insider thoughts and plans and results of the process of presenting exhibitions in museums. As such it is a welcome addition to the art lover's library, something to ponder when trying to discover why some exhibitions (despite the subject of the curated objects) make and impact while others feel cold and distant to all but the addicted lover of that particular subject.
   
   Architect and exhibition designer David Dernie shares the mechanics and philosophies of current museums, pointing out the current concepts of 'immersion, interaction, and multisensory experiential approach' have moved from the purely entertainment field into the realm of the once rather sterile filed of exhibition design. His thoughts are amply illustrated by architectural renderings and photographs that, while informative, are not of the quality one would expect from a book on museum wisdom! But the elements of psychological significance on how to present art to the public eye to enhance the experience of viewing are sound ones, and in his words 'how objects are arranged will determine the nature of the message they communicate.' Grady Harp, January 07



4. This book gives detail into what exhibition design spaces need including lighting, color, graphics, and goes into different types of exhibition design including narrative, interactive, and simulation. Each design example also includes good information on what the artist's message was and how they achieved it through the design choices. Very good choice



5. I just received the book "Exhibition Design" today from Amazon.
   
   I was very excited to find the title because there are so few books on the
   subject of museum exhibition design.
   
   I was however very disappointed with the overall quality of the book. I have
   other W. W. Norton books ( Building the Empire State) and I own close to 300
   architecture and design books.
   
   I have never been so shocked at the poor quality of the photography in any
   of my books. Some of the photos in Exhibition Design book were not
   sharp....some where so dark you could not tell what was really going on in
   the exhibit...but most seem like they were photographed with a camera phone.
   
   I was even shocked at the poor picture resolution of the Ralph Applebaum
   exhibits (blurry non sharp pictures and poorly lit)... I have a couple of
   books that cover the same projects and the photos in those books are
   wonderful...I assumed that companies like Applebaum send out a specific
   press kit with professional photographs.
   
   I guess I have learned that I should always see a design book in person
   before buying it on line.

No comments about Proceed and Be Bold: Rural Studio After Samuel Mockbee.

No comments about 150 Best Loft Ideas.

2 comments about Time-Saver Standards Site Construction Details Manual.

1. This is a great book that I use all the time in my design work. It's organized really well making it very easy to use. Like Gang Chen mentioned in his review, you can't just copy and apply each detail as is, you have to adapt it to your specific climate and design program. That said, the details are a great starting point. I recommend this book to not only landscape architects working in large LA firms, but also to the residential designers who incorporate a lot of detailing in their plans.



2. Detailing is difficult for young design professionals. College education does not cover enough detail design, the only ways to learn how to develop details are: 1) learn through working experience in design offices; 2) teach yourself by reading good books.
   
   "Time-Saver Standards Site Construction Details Manual" can alleviate this problem. When they wrote this book, Nicholas T. Dines, FASLA was a professor and director for the graduate MLA program at the University of Massachusetts, and already had 32 years of professional experience. Kyle Brown was an assistant professor of Landscape Architecture at California Polytechnic University, Pomona, and held a Bachelor and a Master degree in Landscape Architecture and was a Ph. D candidate in regional planning.
   
   "Time-Saver Standards Site Construction Details Manual" covers athletic surfaces (natural and artificial turf, athletic paving), curbs (asphalt, brick, wood, stone and concrete curbs), drainage inlets (catch basins, area drains, trench drains), drainage swales (concrete, stone and vegetated swales), lighting (accent, pedestrian and vehicular lighting), paving (aggregate, asphalt, brick, concrete, stone, wood and synthetic paving, reinforce turf), paving dividers (brick, concrete and stone paving dividers), paving edges, paving joints, pedestrian ramps, planting, ponds, retaining structures, seatwalls, steps, and walls. There is also a useful detail index at the end.
   
   The details in this book are useful, but you still have to adapt them per your specific project condition. For example, some of the paving details call for "reinforcement as required." If you just copy and use these details, I guarantee you'll get change orders for your job. You should adapt these details per the soils report and tenant or developer criteria of your job and / or consult your structural engineer to actually specify what kind of reinforcement you are using for these details in your job.
   
   "Time-Saver Standards Site Construction Details Manual" has 416 pages and 350 common site details. It is a good Site Construction reference book for architects, landscape architects and engineers. Like any other books, it'll not cover every situation for your job. As a design professional, you should still review and adapt these details for your job.
   
   Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA
   

5 comments about The Orvis Book of Cabins (Orvis).

1. Love the book - I enjoy sitting on my porch and scanning through cabin-lodge style books for new "old" decor ideas - this book is perfect for that lazy afternoon or evening. Not only the detailed pictures but, the author has added a lot of insite and instruction to the how and why of cabin living. Hope to find more just like it -



2. This book was purchased and shipped with two other "cabin" titles and gets looked at the least. It might appeal if you intend to build a trophy home in the woods and furnish it with rustic or western decor. I think of a cabin as a small, cozy refuge that looks as though it belongs to the scene in which it sits, and few of the homes in this book fit that description.



3. The Orvis Book of Cabins (Orvis) The Orvis Book of Cabins features a wide range of log home styles and décor from across the country. A chapter is devoted to each of the 19 homes selected - from Washington State to Tennessee and Maine to California.
   Each is described through numerous color photographs showing both décor and design details with an easy reading narrative by the author. A special feature is a short section in several chapters, More Cabin Concepts, including choosing a site, creating antique patina, designing a hearth, and other useful design tips. It is a fine gift and worthy addition to the library for any and all who appreciate this most American of dwellings.
   
   The author and her husband have their own cabin in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. For the present, I can only dream - and consult my copy of The Orvis Book of Cabins.



4. This is a quality book; however, I have to give it only 3 stars for a couple of reasons. One is that most of the cabins just didn't appeal to me (that's admittedly a personal taste, and I did like two or three of the homes); the second, and more important reason, is that there are no floor plans of any of the cabins featured. There are also very few exterior photographs (one or two for each of the cabins), so it comes across a bit like an "interiors books". Without floor plans or enough exterior photos it's hard to understand the design of the individual cabins. Very frustrating.
   
   I wish I could say I loved the book, but I just didn't. For me it was more or less a waste of money. I almost gave it 2-stars.



5. In "The Orvis Book Of Cabins", freelance writer and interior design expert Amy Laughinghouse celebrates a very special form of rural architecture through profiling more than eighteen cabin getaways that cater to anglers, hunters, hikers, canoe paddlers, and simple lovers of nature. Beautifully photographed in full color, the cabins range from small and simple to large and rustic. Some have been the home to generations of families, while others are either newly built or completely remodeled. But all of them are superb examples of an active Orvis lifestyle catering to the enjoyment of the outdoor worlds of mountains, lakes, rivers, and woodlands through every season of the year. "The Orvis Book Of Cabins" is especially recommended for browsing by non-specialist general readers with an interest in cabin architecture and interior design, and of immense value as a reference for professional architects and anyone planning to build a cabin of their own!

2 comments about Architecture: World's Greatest Buildings, History and Styles, Architects (EYEWITNESS COMPANION GUIDES).

1. Ultra helpful!!! I bought some for xmas presents and everybody was really happy! In particular, I think this book is the best! If you like Architecture or like to travel or simple you enjoy beatiful photos, Buy it!!!



2. For my neice who has recently become interested in architecture, this is the perfectbook. It not only provides a world perspective of architecture, the actually pictures are great. Fantastic buy!