3 comments about Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Procedures.

1. I have found this text to be highly useful in explaining the purpose and content of specifications. The text provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of what should be in a specification. The only thing that might have been better was if the authors had spent more time on the technical specs and less on the EJCDC and other standard items that do not appreciably change. All in all though, this is an excellent text and well worth the price.



2. The previous reviewer obviously has not read the book that he rated so low. Harold J. Rosen is an Honorary member of The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), an honor given to few CSI members. This book, in its first edition, predates the CSI Manual of Practice, and it has been updated over several decades.
   
   Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Practices has been the leading textbook for teaching construction specifications at colleges and universities.
   
   The 4th edition has been superseded by an expanded and updated 5th edition, co-authored by this reviewer, that is consistent with the CSI Manual of Practice and includes more examples and resources than CSI's MOP.



3. I want ask if the book contains this title:

   CSI = Construction Specification Institute

1 comments about Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning.

1. Quick read if you want to avoid digging through peer-review journals to learn the same principles.

2 comments about Environmental Psychology for Design.

1. This was a required school text which I was very excited to buy, but I found the level of information was more general than I wanted. The author has certainly pooled together great amounts of research in each chapter (eg. children, elderly, commercial space) and admittedly gives plenty of references to delve further into, which I did. As an interior design senior with children and aging parents who has worked in corporate and retail spaces, the information provided seemed more in the common sense arena. Maybe it's just me.
   
   I also found the repetitive nature of the text a little tedious, and the core information could have been compressed considerably. The review sections and then further questions to ponder after each chapter struck me as more high school than senior level, or maybe the book is the culmination of powerpoint slide shows the author delivers in class?
   
   I'm sure readers will find it interesting but in the end I was disappointed at the value added versus book cost. Ouch.



2. This book is a must for anyone studying architecture and or interior design as well as those practicing professionals who desire an understanding of environmental psychology. It is organized in easy to comprehend chapters by subject. This book is loaded with information that addresses issues design professionals need to consider in their design process. This book is filled with practical ideas and solutions. You will understand how important good design plays on the overall well being of the end user.
   
   No architecture or design curriculum should be without this book as required reading.

No comments about The New Transit Town: Best Practices In Transit-Oriented Development.

5 comments about Sprawl: A Compact History.

1. I put the book aside about 25% of the way through -- a very rare thing for me. It struck me as tedious, repetitive and kind of self-evident. I found myself wondering when I'd get to something compelling, but my interest waned before that happened.



2. Anyone who embraces a progressive stance towards urban development is likely to strongly disagree with the fundamental premise of this book. Bruegmann claims that sprawl is inevitable and changing policy will do little to truly curb suburban development over time. As societies become more affluent, people demand more space and move away from a city's core. Whether a city's population density is high or low, it will ultimately reach an equilibrium point that humans tend to prefer. While Bruegmann's arguments are strong and well supported, fundamentally the problem with his interpretation of sprawl is it's too broad. He considers any development outside of a city to be sprawl -- loosely based on population density. Development outside of Houston is considered the same as that outside of Paris or Portland.
   
   Bruegmann discusses at length several cities natural inclinations towards sprawl. London serves as the historical archetype that failed to stop sprawl despite various development restrictions through the centuries. Portland, Oregon is the modern day archetype, which Bruegmann also claims has failed in its efforts to curb sprawl. Portland's urban growth ring has driven sprawl to smaller surrounding communities and across state lines into Washington state.
   
   This book is well written and the author is relatively straightforward in his dialog. The author claims he takes a neutral stance on debated issues in urban development, but to anyone who is familiar with Jane Jacobs or new urbanism, Bruegmann could easily be construed as being pro-sprawl. Bruegmann spends little time questioning the sustainability of sprawl -- and his book predates the recent spikes in oil prices, which alone would bring into question his reasoning. That said, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in urban studies. It's great to see someone articulate points that counter conventionally accepted progressive thinking in the field.



3. i have to credit the author for a good job in laying out the arguments with excellent footnotes and bibliography. the historic portion also provides some refreshing perspectives.
   
   unfortunately, except being successful in presenting sprawl as a complex subject, the arguments are unconvincing and seem contrived at times, though the author tries to present the case impartially.
   
   the premise of the book can be summarized simply as: sprawl is there since immortal time. we have sprawl because people in affluent societies want it. and the anti-sprawl crowd overstate its problems while ignoring its benefits.
   
   well, i found myself scatching my head most of the time. sometimes i couldn't even tell whether the author is pro or anti-sprawl. the author fails to show that although sprawl exists since industrial era, the current sprawl is a product of forces vastly different from previous eras. first of all, the demography of modern societies has very different composition. nowadays suburbia growth is fed by not only affluent middle-class but also increasingly immigrants. in fact, the author at times suggest a trend that the affluent are actually moving back to the city core. secondly, we're in a post-industrial time when the public policies play a significant role in encouraging sprawl which is not the case in early sprawl.
   
   one important thing we should note is that the scale of current sprawl. although sprawl has been around for a long time, it has never reached such a scale that it might simply become sustainable. in this sense, the author fails to address the issue of sustainability. if the author's predictions are correct and all societies want to live like Americans do, then i am pretty pessimistic about our future. like cells in our bodies, it's normal that they grow and split, but when they overgrow they become tumors. the author never establishes that line when un-controlled sprawl becomes a problem.
   
   the argument that people with free will always choose low-density and car-dependent way of living is built on weak foundation too. children in our society, brainwashed with all these TV ads, will most likely choose junk food instead of organic food if they are allowed to choose freely. is that free will? does this make obesity a natural, inevitable and even good thing? there are so many reasons why people choose to live in suburbia but just because it's a collective effort does not make it a good thing. to a certain extent, the book feels incomplete because it does not have any clear moral stand.
   
   similarly, people who think they exercise free will might not notice how their decision-making is manipulated. if they know the true cost of living in the suburb, and with all the subsidies to suburbian development removed (cheap products from developing countries; cheap and subsidized oil and etc.), they might suddenly realize living in the sprawl might not be the best option for them in the long term. the sad thing is, with the whole system in favor of sprawl and growth, people sometimes just don't have alternate options.
   
   it's a nice attempt to present a different view, but after reading the whole book, i think the author actually does a good job convincing me that sprawl is more a problem with issues that need to be addressed urgently.



4. Even Queen Elizabeth I (in the 1600s) was against sprawl, but the author
   shows that without a doubt all cities have been growing (sprawling) ever
   since as populations concentrate in fewer and fewer areas. The history of
   anti-sprawl movements is detailed and the author shows that current
   anti-sprawl movements use the same vocabulary and even words that were
   used 100 + years ago to describe what is now fashionable areas of London
   held up a models of good growth today (but not then). Both Europe and the
   United States have remarkably similar urban growth patterns. This is
   excellent history, sociology and urban studies material.



5. I actually agreed with Bruegmann's thesis more before I read this book than afterwards. He's married to his one definition of sprawl, and since this conveniently lists Los Angeles as the least sprawled city, he can then use this as a blunt weapon to pooh-pooh any criticism of sprawl. He also notes that sprawl has been a force throughout the history of cities, but then fails to show how the issues people have with sprawl may have evolved over the years. Even when he mentions arguments in support of sprawl, I felt underwhelmed because they're just references to other papers; he doesn't present us with many numbers or analysis from these other papers. That being said, I agree with his basic premise --- that criticism to sprawl is overblown, and that most people prefer to own their own house and their own car. But I was looking for more solid arguments to support that, and this book did not provide them.

5 comments about Historic San Francisco: A Concise History and Guide.

1. Historic San Francisco is written in a light, entertaining style that makes history enjoyable. Richards hits a wide range to topics that relate back to San Francisco as it is today, offering an opportunity for readers to create their own tour and see the locations being discussed. The book is not intended to be comprehensive but rather, covers what I see as some of the best facets of the city. Accurate and well illustrated, Historic San Francisco ranks among the best of the large number of books I own on San Francisco's history. It's a must-buy for San Franciscophiles.



2. while this is a very concise history of the city, with a lot of material packed into relatively few pages, I find it extremely odd that the author skips from The Summer of Love in the late 1960s all the way to the earthquake of 1989. One has to ask, what informed the author's choice to ignore twenty years of history? Did the murder of mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk by Dan White never happen? Did the gay civil rights movement and the development of The Castro neighborhood into the most visible gay community in the world not happen? This seems an irresponsible omission on the part of the author. What a shame.



3. I really can't recommend this book enough. Mr Richards is a fine writer who breathes life into San Francisco's history using an array of colouful (and often hilarious) anecdotes. I've read a number of other books on the the bay area's history and for sheer enjoyment this stands head-and-shoulders above the rest.



4. If you don't have an affection for San Francisco history, you should have one after reading this short book. While I would have appreciated a few more anecdotes about San Francisco in this book, I really appreciated the breadth of history it was able to convey -- and in a reasonable length. Highly recommended.



5. This is a very well-written and entertaining history/guidebook to San Francisco. The chapter on the Barbary Coast is especially interesting, as are the anecdotes from San Francisco's early history. Far better than the bilge offered by Lonely Planet and Time Out.

5 comments about The Hawaiian House Now.

1. This book is beautifully produced, with a nice variety of types of homes presented.



2. I got this book so I could get some decorating ideas for my own house here in California. I found the book to be helpful in what I needed it for. It shows good interior design ideas for houses in Hawaii that could easily by used in other parts of the world. I love the Hawaiian styles and I am working on recreating them in my home.



3. This book transported me back to those years when I grew up in Hawaii and was exposed through friends and parties to so many of these kind of houses. I see Hawaii house decor being such an accumulation of all that is good about Hawaii - reflection of its spirit and early settlers and Hawaiian aspect. I live in New Zealand and decorate ALL my houses with a strong Hawaii/South Pacific/New Zealand flavor - this book has given me such inspiration for my next house. If you grew up in Hawaii or love the spirit of Hawaii this book is a must. I was thrilled when I received the book and as I am about to start a new adventure with a house I am going to incorporate so much of what I see and read in "The Hawaiian House Now" - It is not just a book with nice photos it is a book with some great information on all that is Hawaii.



4. I enjoyed this book very much. It was well written, well researched and contained a wealth of beautiful photographs. The author captured the beauty of simplicity. The Hawaiian House is a wonderful coffee table book.



5. Whether your style is contemporary, traditional, or eclectic this book has something for everyone. I've gone through it again and again, and each time I've seen something new or gotten an idea for something I can do in my own home.

3 comments about Construction Graphics: A Practical Guide to Interpreting Working Drawings.

1. It's a decent book. Not bad if you are just starting off in understanding construction and graphics.



2. Bisharat's book is a must for any student (experienced technician or school neophyte) of the design and construction process. It is well illustrated, factual, and accurately explains how the architect /engineer's ideas get transferred to paper and then into reality.



3. If you are a student, a craftsperson, superintendent, manager,or designer-this book should be open on your desk (and not on your bookshelf).

1 comments about The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 14th Ed..

1. We just received this the other day. At first glance it appears to be *slightly* more condensed than the previous full edition of the "Handbook", which, in my opinion is a good thing. Still very dense and an absolute must-have if you want or need to know anything about "mainstream" architectural practice at a fairly high level.
   
   There is so much good information contained in this tome, I'm surprised the AIA hasn't created a certification program based on it, much like CSI has done with the PRM. It would seem to me such a program would have the potential to help fill a gaping hole in architectural education.
   
   Of particular note regarding this edition: two CD-ROMs are included. The first includes sample 2007 AIA documents -- no surprises here. The second includes the entire text of the Handbook, BUT, in a locked-down proprietary format. You install an application and must activate it online or over the phone before you can use it. You can only install it on one machine at a time. There is no de-activation function; you must uninstall and then call customer support to get a new activation number if you need to change the machine on which it's installed. The electronic version allows searching, but does NOT allow printing or exporting. While the sample AIA documents are PDFs and thus cross-platform, the Handbook reader application is Windows only -- an unfortunate choice. While I understand the publisher's desire to protect their IP, a PDF file would have been so much more user-friendly.
   
   I'll try to remember to post more when I've had a chance to wade through the new edition in its entirety. In the mean time, I thought I'd share what I knew.

5 comments about Bungalows: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building New (Updating Classic America).

1. I didn't find the book to be helpful or even enjoyable. Little to no information about transitioning an older Bungalow as I had understood the book would contain.



2. This book is richly illustrated with plenty of photographs of updated bungalows from several styles ranging from the simple Midwestern houses made to be affordable in their day, to modern, contemporary West Coast bungalows.
   Where I found the book somewhat lacking was in the area of detailing before and after transformations of existing bungalows. Given the title, I would've expected more information about specific remodeling and renovation projects, with plenty of photos detailing "before", "during" and "after" the remodeling phases. There's very, very little of that in this book. The majority of the photos and scant floorplans dwell primarily with the finished project, though there are a very few that indicate what the owner started with. If you're looking for project specific guidance for rennovating or building your bungalow, this may not be the best choice. Still, the finished photos and supplemental text are inspiring. I would recommend this book with caution, based on the idea that it should likely be only one of many books in a modest library on period architecture upfitting.



3. The authors of this book do a very good job of highlighting the bungalow's unique traits and then showing inspirational bungalow renovations. Early pages give the requisite definitions of what makes a bungalow, but I was most impressed by the middle three chapters: "Remodeling Inside the Walls"; "Beyond the Walls"; and "Brand New Bungalows". It is here that the authors challenge you to update your bungalow without losing any of the home's original character (or build anew with the same overall goal of classic home character).
   
   As any bungalow fan knows, there are three definite "branches" to the bungalow tree: in the Eastern U.S. craftsman bungalows rule, in the Midwest you find prairie styles and simple Chicago bunghalows, and in the west you find mission styles and the Greene and Greene influenced California bungalows. Being from the Midwest, I found this book especially compelling because so many of the example houses illustrated in the book are from my part of the country. Thus if you are from the Midwest I recommend this book with 5 stars, otherwise I give it a 4.5.
   
   Updating Classic American Bungalows is a must read for anyone who owns, lives in, or loves the bungalow style of architecture.
   
   Highly recommended!



4. The authors confess early on in this beautifully illustrated book that they are themselves bungalow-owners and -dwellers, which makes them automatically sympathetic to the situation of the novice who finds himself with a fixer-upper or a house that needs a new kitchen, more storage, or just more space. And they tell, in a very practical way, how to go about creating what you need. Quite apart from the many beautiful full-color photos, they offer plenty of really vital information. "With the right architect, a radical overhaul can be sensitively done...[integrating] many of the interior details that people love about their bungalows," they say. "A potential side benefit of [renovating one's attic] is that [its slanted knee walls] may mean [it] isn't legally a room at all and therefore not taxed as a bedroom. Check to see if your local ordinance states that if more than a certain percentage of a room's walls are sloping, it is exempt from full taxation." (This is something that would never have occurred to me!) "As real estate values escalate, you may find that the lot is more valuable than the house itself. That, in turn, can make it difficult to get a mortgage on a 900-sq.-ft. house. But if you apply for a loan with a proposal to add on, you may have a better chance of getting financing...Look at the local ordinances covering setback and height requirements and limits on the percentage of the site that can be built on...You also have a chance to address any shortcomings your lot [yard] may have..." Team this volume with Treena Crochet's Bungalow Style: Creating Classic Interiors in Your Arts and Crafts Homeand Diane Maddex's Bungalow Nation (see my reviews) and you'll have a core shelf that will help you understand, appreciate, and sensitively update your bungalow.



5. This book is called UPDATING Bungalows! Amazon is a wonderful resource because you can browse pages before you buy. This book should not be a disappointment for those who are paying attention.
   
   I am now the proud owner of a 1922 California Bungalow. I have no illusions that this was the tract home of its day (I have found 4 others exactly like it in my neighborhood). This book embraces the ideals of the bungalow and the intent of the lifestyle completely. Not all of us can live in rarified homes in Pasadena or Chicago, and a strict period restoration with Stickley furnishings may not be practical for our lives in the 21st century. This book is about UPDATING what you have to balance the traditional Craftsman aesthetic with modern sensibilities.
   
   For those who are hard core Craftsman enthusiasts bent on a period correct restoration, this is not the book for you. If you live in the modern world but respect the ideals of the era, check this out. There are plenty of good ideas, and a few photos of loving restorations too.