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 Kim Parker Home.

1. The only home interior shots are of the same items in Ms. Parker's own living room and bedroom, over and over!! Otherwise, we are endlessly "treated" to pages of her floral paintings, fabric and dishware, ad nauseum. This is All About Kim, and she comes across as very self-centered and flaky.
   
   The text is repetitive, probably because there was nothing to write about except her endless musings about her creative process, and constant referrals to her millions of products. For instance, she describes in excruciating detail how she comes up with the names for her dish designs. Like "Emma." Like you care.
   
   Instead of discussing the ins and outs of the fashion and design business at that time, which would have shown her struggles (assuming she had any), she instead laments no one appreciated her vision in the early years, her sense of color was ignored, she had to work for cruel and unforgiving bosses (yawn), and her creative spirit was always being crushed by menial work.
   
   However, important people adore her, and their flowery (no pun intended) compliments are all through the book. Prepare to read tons of name-dropping, lists of stores that carry her products, the magazine covers...I hope this is the fault of the ghostwriter, and that Ms. Parker isn't toting around all this self-awareness in real time.
   
   The foreward by a friend of hers sets this specious tone early on. "I first met Kim...in Brazil. We quickly became friends the way one becomes friends in Brazil." Oh? Is that different than the way one becomes friends in Bozeman or Trenton?
   
   Anyone who worked at the same miserable job for 25 years to pay bills would have a very difficult time sympathizing with Ms. Parker in her early years. Striving for inner balance and personal vision while employers are being mean to her, she stops working and takes off for Brussells to play her flute in chateaus.
   
   It's also hard to rejoice in her success, when she tells us: "I am still touched by the birth of a rug, bedding and bath product, fabric, dinner plate..."
   
   I'm not making this up. If you think I'm kidding, check out Page 57. If you can get that far. And she looked like such a nice, down to earth hippie-type on the cover.



2. I really like this artist for her use of color- and it's always fun to read about people who have no formal training in art- but clearly are talented artists. But I purchased this book thinking that it was a home decor book- and while it does showcase the artist's lovely NY apartment- it was not what I was expecting. I was also sad to see that the bath/kitchen were not included- I would have liked to see the entire home showcased. It only shows select spaces in her own apartment and is more of an autobiography or tribute to her designs and related products than what the title would lead you to believe. It has some really nice photos of her work but I was a little let down by the narrative. I would have preferred to see her works displayed in various home settings than just her own home. It almost came across a little narcissistic - but overall it's a nice book if you enjoy her works.



3. What I should have expected, but did not, is that the images in this book are all from Kim's little artist's home in NYC. Personally, I wasn't too inspired by the photos. However, she has lived a rich, creative life as shared through her stories. So if you're expecting a ton of photos, as you'd expect in a typical home decor book, look elsewhere. But if you're someone who wants to be inspired through words, as much as images, then this book is a great choice for you.



4. Kim Parker's book is fabulous. I am a friend but I am not biased. She is a super talented artist and musician and has worked hard to get to where she is. Her book is a story about how she became an artist and how hard it is to do in NYC but the results are phenomenal. Her apartment is a collection of her images and more. Great stories abound page to page. Truly a great book for your coffee table to inspire anyone.



5. I received this book yesterday and COULDN'T WAIT to review it! I have a huge library of interior design books...mostly because that is my passion and my creative outlet. Kim Parker Home is, without a doubt, my favorite book. My taste runs from the quirky to the funky, but it is always colorful and the rooms that are featured in this book mirror that aesthetic. I am also a huge flea market fan and aside from the color, it is also obvious that Kim Parker, herself, also appreciates vintage items for their charm and uniqueness. As you leaf through the pages you will see the most vibrant colors and patterns imaginable. Vintage sofas are covered in lushly patterned and vibrantly colored fabrics of Ms. Parker's design. I found myself turning the pages over and over and each time I discovered something I had missed the time before. The only disappointing thing about viewing such treasures is discovering that unless you have money to burn, purchasing most of the wonderful rugs, pillows, linens, art or dinnerware that can be found in high-end stores is probably not in your budget. Nonetheless, I'm sure I will spend countless hours enjoying the beautiful photography and presentation this book has to offer. Another bonus is that under the dustcover the book is covered in a lovely floral design...very nice on your coffee table!

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!

3 comments about Between Silence and Light: Spirit in the Architecture of Louis I. Kahn.

1. If you are inerested in late modern architecture and the thoughts "behind the men", it is a good resource. Lots of bright photos of Kahn's work. The text is a little sparse. but for the price it's a good deal.



2. Kahn's words in this book are very wise.

   For just one example: The reason a city might deserve to exist is not due to packing a lot of warm squirming bodies into a small cubic footage, but rather to be a place where persons can explore things that interest them beyond the requirements of reproduction of individual and species life which determines peasant (and other non-urban) life.

   A city is a place where a young person, as they walk through it, observing various master craftspersons at work, may find something they *want* to do for their whole life (not just something they *have* to do to earn a "living").

   This is remarkable stuff, especially when we compare it with the ethical vapidity of postmodernism. Read this book and then see how the "world" you live in and the architects who designed it shapes up. Do you live in spaces which nurture creative human association? Or do you live and work in "decorated sheds" that put sugar coating on places that make you and your loved ones be banal?




3. If you're someone who's interested in architecture,but don't seem to get the hang of it, the word of Louis I. Kahn might help. I was a sopmore when I read the book , classes were a bit blur to me,it was like seeing an image but not sure of what you were looking at. But this book put things in a way that incouraged me as a student , to see the many concepts from life that concerned an architect, and how an an archetect was more of a artist of living, a thinker than just a constrution manager.

1 comments about Great Houses of New England.

1. My wife received it as a gift and is enormously happy. What more can I say?

No comments about Corporate Interiors No. 8 (Corporate Interiors).