3 comments about Pamphlet Architecture 17: Small Buildings (Pamphlet Architecture).

1. Having been a student of Mike Cadwell, I must first profess a bias in my critique.
   
   That having been stated, Mike Cadwell's book is a documented insight into how he matured as an architect. From the onset, his initiative and determination is motivated by his desire to further his knowledge and understanding of how things are constructed.
   
   Mr. Cadwell once stated that while working in an architect's office an employee was once asked by the firm owner what material that employee was rendering in color. The lack of an understanding that Mr. Cadwell overheard motivated him to fully understand the materials that architects use, how they go together, and the implications of designs.
   
   The portfolio of the projects are impressive on the scale that they operate and how they serve Mr. Cadwell as studies.
   
   But, what is more impressive is Mr. Cadwell's determination to take on such studies in an effort to better understand the practice of architecture. He is responsible for the design of the projects through the construction of them. He learns errors along that way that many architects suffer the criticism of contractors on.
   
   Through these invaluable studies, it is evident that Mr. Cadwell evolves into a better architect of which many others only aspire to be.



2. In his introduction, Mike Caldwell refers to the gap between architectural abstraction - model making, sketching and drawing - and built reality as the motivating force behind these projects. Caldwell saw his lack of knowledge about how materials actually come together as a gap in what he calls his "sensual education" and undertook these projects as a remedy for that. Instead of simply building a tool shed or a set of shelves, Caldwell carefully thought out four clever hybrid structures - the Bridge-Box, the Drum-Barge, the Ark-Tower and the House-Tunnel. Each project took a familiar form and placed it in an unusual or whimsical situation. The process Caldwell took to arrive at each final form is well-explained and careful without stifling the spirit of structures.

   As an architecture student, I can relate very personally to the feeling of disconnect that Caldwell had about his intellectual education. This sort of this simply isn't taught much in architecture schools these days; one has to independently recognize the defecit and seek to fill it. The power of building something of your design is extraordinary, and PA 17 is a wonderful reminder of how rewarding doing those small, personal projects can be.




3. This is a collection of exceptional works. Tectonically beautiful and intricate, his small buildings represent some of the finer points of simple thought in architecture. His own commentary and a conclusion by Turner Brooks allow a clear and concise understanding of the projects. As a former student of Cadwell, and now a colleague, this one book I would not pass up. Cadwell shows outstanding ability and promise for even more beautiful work to come.

4 comments about Build It With Bales: A Step-By-Step Guide to Straw-Bale Construction, Version Two.

1. We own most of the straw bale and alternative green building books that are currently on the market and each has inspired us to further explore the possibilities of alternative green construction. However, this guide, in our minds, is possibly the best of the best and based on reading it cover-to-cover, we will build our straw bale home next year. What makes this a stand-out book? Great, detailed illustrations, witty humor, lots of solid hands-on experience and most of all, no glossy, glamour foo-foo never-break-a-sweat coffee table book b-s. YEAH! My wife and I have building and remodeling experience, however, this a fantastic book for a beginner. We will be beginners come the day we stack our first bale. And this guide will be our constant guide. Thanks for all the great info! A must have for serious work.



2. I've collected several Straw Bale building books and this is perhaps the most informative of them all. It's not bulky,143 pages,but covers almost everything. Most books just gloss over most of the details and while this one doesn't pretend to tell it all you do get a good start and leads for further information. I really appreciate the construction details shown here, most of the books just kind of talk about stacking bales and plastering, this one gives enough detail that you'll know whether or not you want to actually build this way.



3. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to know the basics of straw-bale construction. I have worked with the authors in introducing straw-bale construction techniques in a community-development context in Mongolia and China, and I can say from first-hand experience that the authors know what they are talking about (some designs from our Mongolia work ended up in the book). In China, where my organization is working to promote sustainable housing design, I use the book to explain to government officials and others just what straw-bale construction is all about. Because the illustrations are so clear, the book is very useful in this context. I have passed out some 20 copies in China so far, and have had requests for far more.



4. If you THINK you want to build a straw bale house then read "The Straw Bale House"; it has nice pictures and will convince you to build. When it comes time to build your straw bale house read this book. Straw bale design and building methods are improving with each new straw bale house built so read the latest information available. This book gives you all the facts you need about straw bale houses. We are currently building a straw bale house in Arizona, and used this book to do it. They just make it sound so easy. Matts is an extreme character, but he knows how to build a straw bale house, and he can show you how to do it too.

No comments about The Jacobean Country House: From the Archives of Country Life.

No comments about Fundamentals of Modern Drafting.

5 comments about Carving Architectural Detail in Wood: The Classical Tradition.

1. This book was great. It has information I have not been able to find anywhere. I loved it so much I purchased his other one.



2. Frederick Wilbur is the American Master Carver of our time. In this book, written with scholarly erudition, Frederick Wilbur finds the plain words to show us how he works and how we can hope to improve our own carving. This book is indispensable for every wood carver's library. Read it now and refer to it for years. William Tapia



3. This is an excellent book and I highly recommend it. It is quite large, very thorough, is loaded with colour photos (every second page?) and as well, colour diagrams. It covers everything (that I can think of) with almost step-by-step instructions and many examples from both real life (pictures of buildings, doorways, windows) and the workshop (finished items on the table). I find the colour photos very useful, as they give a good indication of the kind of beauty you can aim for, and the photos of work in progress also very useful. I don't think black and white photos are as good for this kind of book, so I was very happy to see so much vivid colour.
   
   I would say you would need to be a bit beyond beginner to get the most out of this, perhaps early novice would be enough.
   
   Overall a very useful book, well worth the money and the best I have seen for carving these kinds of things, and I have the Taunton books (which often seem lacking, somehow).



4. Just what I was looking for. Thanks



5. This work is very descriptive in both word and picture of architectural detail. It demonstrates methods of calculating the plan or measuring the details to permit you to lay out elegant but traditional carving projects. It has been a wonderful source of learning for me and a guide to several carving motifs. The author is publishing a second book that I am anxious to see.

4 comments about Time-Saver Standards for Building Types (Time-Saver Standards).

1. rich in graphics and details, perfect companion when you need quick answers, specially if you get a used book at a fantastic price like these, it is worth it!!



2. dear sir/madam

   am in need of a book call newfet Architectural data so plsss help me find it plss

   from terry




3. This is a book that sometimes resembles Neufert's, but it has a lot of additional information you might need that will make easier the process of designing various types of buildings. It gives you notions, ideas, proportions, measures and everything you need to know when starting a project. A must-have to any architect (specially with these incredible low-priced used ones. I got mine for 13 bucks and it's absolutely like new).



4. Amozon.com says that they save you money on books but this book cost a cool 150 smackers even if a customer has purchased many books from them -- the book is valuable and used like a dictionary for reference -- why can't we get a resonable price for it -- Amozon.com send out thank you and promises to do their best to keep the price lowest but why do they continue to bate and switch.

No comments about Elder House: Planning Your Best Home Ever.

No comments about Masons and Sculptors (Medieval Craftsmen).

1 comments about Sweden Style: Exteriors, Interiors, Details (Icons).

1. A nice book to browse if you want to get a feel for old world swedish style & creativity. This is a book with few words and loads of images. Not a wasted investment. I am sure I will refer to this many times in the next few years.

1 comments about New Orleans Architecture: Faubourg Treme and the Bayou Road : North Rampart Street to North Broad Street Canal Street to St. Benard Avenue (New Orleans Architecture).

1. This wonderful book is the second in the now-classic survey of historic New Orleans architecture. Distinguished by the same painstaking attention to detail as the other volumes, this book concentrates on the sections of the city now known as the Central Busisness District (or CBD) and the Warehouse/Arts District. Given the dramatic changes this section has undergone since the 19th century, this volume is both more valuable historically and perhaps a bit less interesting to the casual reader.

   One section of the book is fortunately out of date. A special section highlights the row houses on Julia Street in the Warehouse District, then in sad disrepair, but now gems in that area's redevelopment.

   Despite the towering skyscrapers lining Poydras Street and the gleaming hotel towers down by the river, this book calls our attention to what remains: the exuberant architectural display of a Victorian bank building or the shockingly vibrant facade of a Canal Street storefront. Through its thoughtful scholarship and careful display of maps, historic images and contemporary photograph, this book (likes its sisters in the series) is an inviting glimpse into the past for the careful reader.