1 comments about Single Building: Type Variant House: The Process of an Architectural Work.

1. Despite its modest format, this elegant monograph more than does justice to Vincent James' extraordinary copper pavilions floating in a birch forest, comprehensively illustrated here with a wide range of visual materials, from early design sketches, construction photographs, and extensive working drawings to exquisite images of the finished building through four seasons of rain, mist, snow, and sun. Fold-out plans are provided in the inside cover, with a location key to all photos for readers' convenience. The graphic design of the book is clearly a labor of love, far beyond the often perfunctory standard of architectural publishing. Professional readers will regret the absence of scale information, but this is a minor lapse amidst the books many virtues.

No comments about Buildings of Michigan (Society of Architectural Historians).

No comments about New Minimalist Architecture.

No comments about Domesticity at War.

No comments about Colonial Architecture of Mexico.

1 comments about Italian Splendor.

1. Italian Splendor is simply splendid, and much more than just a coffee table show-off. It is a beautifully produced book, dominated (as it should be) by the wonderful photography of Roberto Schezen.

   The descriptions by art expert Ralph Toledano are succinct and respectful and contain some interesting anecdotes. Best of all, they are short enough to just whet the appetite for the photographs.

   This book takes you into the fabulous homes of the rich and aristocratic families of Italy and Sicily. From the exquisitely simple La Rocca Pisana, Lonigo to the amazingly rich Palazzo Doria Pamphilij in Rome, each house is different and interesting. Some are astonishing, like the Palazzo, Panza di Biumo, which has a peculiar mixture of ancient frescoes and abstract modern art that works in an odd sort of way. Many are private homes not open to the public, and therefore not able to be viewed in any other way except through this book. Unless you happen to be royalty yourself, of course!

   The book was researched over 18 months by Jack Basehart, who must be incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to get to know all of these marvellous houses. Thanks for sharing them with us, Jack....

   ...And how about turning this book into a documentary series?

   PS. If you can get hold of it, I think the hardback is well worth the extra money. This is a book you're going to want to keep.

2 comments about The American Builder's Companion.

1. This is one of the great pattern books of the nineteenth century. This, and others like it, were responsible for a greater proportion of excellent buildings not designed by architects than at any point since in the history of the USA.



2. This is an early pattern book that was in circulation during the mid and late 1800's. It is good only as a historic resource for those wishing to further their studies in American architecture. It is not a practical book for a practicing architect, builder, or restoration buff. The plates are beautiful and the descriptive geometry is fascinating.

No comments about New Orleans Architecture Volume I: The Lower Garden District.

5 comments about South Beach Deco: Step By Step.

1. A most fabulous and descriptive book about South Beach Art Deco. The photography is beautiful and each page is a treasure and a pleasure to enjoy!



2. I am a world-wide traveler and have a large collection of guidebooks that I usually purchase prior to taking trips. I purchased 'South Beach Deco,Step By Step' after I visited Miami Beach because it made me feel good about the times I had there and supplied information that I will use on future trips to South Beach. Ordinarily I skim a book until I find a particular area of interest, but I found myself reading this book straight through. It is fun to read and so informative at the same time. I loved the explanations of what tropical deco is, and I enjoyed gazing at the photos that are quite plentiful and vibrant. There is nothing boring about this book and it just makes me want to return to that part of the world as soon as possible. 'South Beach Deco, Step By Step' leaves the other books I have read on this area in the dust (or perhaps I should say sand). The reason being is that it has an excellent balance of information-- just enough history so that it never becomes boring, a sufficient but not overwhelming amount of recommendations so that it is not confusing, easy to understand definitions,and a smattering of humor which makes one smile. I will take it with me on my next visit.



3. I visited South Beach recently and was at a loss of what to bring back as gifts for special friends. "South Beach Deco, Step by Step" was perfect. I got one for myself so I didn't have to take a lot of photos because this book has a great variety of pictures, many of the Art Deco Hotels which were a highlight of my trip. Aside from the great visuals, the text gave me all I needed to know to have a great time; it was like a companion who filled me in on everything - - the best things to see, the coolest places to eat and where to just relax and enjoy the scene. The book made me comfortable that I wasn't missing out on something ("what you didn't see..."). There are also some fun maps that are easy to read. All in all, an A+ and something I pick up and look at because its interesting and beautiful, and reminds me I want to go back to South
   Beach.



4. If you really want a book of color photos, get Iris Chase's new book South Beach Deco: Step By Step. Susan Russell took an amazing amount of great photos of South Beach.
   
   Iris is the resident artist at the Art Deco Welcome Center smack in the middle of Ocean Drive and as she says it is "Miami Beach Art Deco 101."
   
   She's written an easy-to-read good introductory text that lays out all of the areas, describes the fun aspects of hangin' out at The Beach, and has a modest bit of history. It's large size 8 1/2" x 11" makes it a big large to carry around but having it before hand will make it easier to find a hotel and figure out the sights and things you might want to do while there. And after you come home it will have all of the wonderful photos to help jog your memory.
   
   South Beach Deco: Step By Step is for anyone who wants to remember SoBe as it is today (2005).



5. I regularly vacation in Miami Beach and LOVE visiting South Beach with its pastel deco buildings, pristine beaches, beautiful people, trendy restaurants and open-till-dawn night clubs. I just finished reading South Beach Deco: Step by Step, and I have a new appreciation for my favorite vacation spot! The author, Iris Chase, really knows her town from the inside out. And the photos are absolutely beautiful! The next time I travel south, I will definitely have this book in my suitcase! This terrific book is a must! Have fun travelers!

1 comments about Domestic Architecture of the American Colonies and of the Early Republic (Dover Books on Architecture).

1. Books on historic architecture tend to devote too little space to the homes of ordinary people. This book covers dwellings from the huts of the first colonists to governors' mansions, from rural plantation houses to Colonnade Row in Boston.
   The profusion of illustrations include early and modern drawings, photographs, engravings, and lithographs. They depict floor plans, elevations, interiors, exteriors, and details.
   What I found particularly useful is the way the author develops the historical changes in materials, style, and philosophy. His research is thorough but not at all dry. For example, he quotes William Hubbard who, before 1682, wrote of the New Haven Colony: "They laid out too much...in building fine and stately houses, wherein they at first outdid the rest of the country."
   This book will correct misunderstandings and oversimplifications about Colonial domestic architecture.