5 comments about Google SketchUp for Site Design: A Guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture.

1. I am excited to see new publications that are relating our digital design tools directly to the profession. Daniel has created an extremely valuable resource for site design professionals using Google Sketchup. The book does an excellent job setting the groundwork for using Sketchup in site design, all of the fundamentals are covered in the books introduction for new Sketchup users. I appreciate that after the introduction the book quickly gets into how to apply Sketchup to site design projects.
   
   As an experienced Sketchup user and 3d modeler I found many parts of this book informative. It is great to understand Daniel's modeling methodology which is broken down in well written step by step tutorials. The chapters explaining the sandbox tools and other terrain modeling methods is something that has been missing in online tutorials and other Sketchup publications. The detail available in the tutorials is amazing and will allow individuals to really understand what is happening in the software and how to apply it to their projects.
   
   Google Sketchup for Site Design makes a significant contribution to the profession and I look forward to Daniel's next book.



2. Book came in time as expected. It was an excellent conditions. had no trouble with the delivery or the seller. thank you



3. This book is the missing link connecting what SketchUp is being used for and what it can be used for. SketchUp's simplicity and ease of use is a virtue, but it is also a crux in that so many people don't push the envelope because they think they know all there is to know about it - which often involves creating purely architectonic forms. Daniel's book is full of insightful "ah ha" examples that will have you applying SketchUp's tools to site design in no time.



4. I'm very happy I purchased this book... It's a very comprehensive guide, I recommed it to Sketch-up users whether you're a novice or a well-worn user.



5. Google Sketchup for Site Design is an excellent resource for those in the fields of Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Urban Planning and design to learn one of the leading software tools for digital graphics. This book is filled with excellent full-color illustrations and images that really help those of us who are graphically inclined! The book gives step by step instructions that are clear and easy to understand - perfect for the SketchUp beginner or novice. The most useful section for the design professionals is Part 4 - AutoCAD to SketchUp. Since AutoCAD is the professional standard for drafting, this section focuses on how to bring your CAD plans into SketchUp to complete your illustration and 3D graphics. Overall this book is highly recommended!!

1 comments about Digital Drawing for Landscape Architecture: Contemporary Techniques and Tools for Digital Representation in Site Design.

1. Bradley Cantrell and Wes Michaels have authored a concise and beautifully illustrated book. They know their stuff and it shows. The book presents a detailed overview of digital methods, graphics and tools used in landscape architecture and related design professions. The clearly written content encompasses varying software and graphic. The images are excellent representatives of the graphics and methods the book's content advocates.
   
   The book focuses on the creation of graphics type and not just on specific graphic programs. The authors took into account the flexibility in which many designers create representative graphics. This smart approach allows the book to center on the creation of rich representations of the landscape, but still delve in to the specifics of the programs used by design students and professionals.
   
   Each chapter and section demonstrates varying techniques. From using Photoshop to create sections and plan graphics, to scaling and working with aerials. The authors demonstrate how to integrate CAD with Adobe Illustrator in an easy but important workflow. The book reviews a variety of 3D modeling programs including 3D Max and SketchUp and the type of graphics these programs can generate. One favorite chapter includes a step-by-step tutorial on creating Photoshop Perspective Collage. And this is just a sampling of what the book contains. The comprehensive nature of the book is phenomenal.
   
   The authors move the discussion beyond just `how to' and discuss digital theory. Of particular note is a dialogue on how current digital methods are directly informed by the tradition of ink, pen and paper which was the backbone of graphic representation for decades. Framing the book's methods in the long tradition of hand-drawn illustrations emphasizes why design practitioners must read and use this book; it's a milestone in bringing the design community up to date to the level that design should be represented and practiced.
   
   The book's approach and theories on digital presentation will elevate professionals and students practicing landscape architecture and related fields.
   
   Daniel Tal, author of Google SketchUp for Site Design: A guide to Modeling Site Plans, Terrain and Architecture

5 comments about Landscaping with Stone, 2nd Edition.

1. This book is full of exciting, beautiful ideas. I'm planning the entire future of my lawn using this book. There are simple to understand and easy to follow instructions for the basics too.



2. I am proud to own and use this gorgeously illustrated, instructive book. For anyone who loves to create with stone 'from scratch'...this is definitely a 'must-have.'
   
   Anna Marie Fritz, author of "Funny Feline Fotos" and other amazon books.



3. Order and delivery were great but the book was not exactly what I was hoping for.



4. Beautiful, large pictures of finished designs and step by step instructions. Oriented toward the beginner rather than the professional. Just being able to point to a picture and say "That is what I want" is worth the price of the book. I want to go out and build a stone path right now!



5. From single stone placements to walkways, patios and garden rooms, this book will provide you with endless ideas and inspiration. The instructions are thorough yet easy to follow. A must for a resplendent garden!

5 comments about A Visual Dictionary of Architecture.

1. This is a practical straight forward guide to Architecture for the non-architect. Also of use to those interested in building design and architectual history.



2. Vision is better than a thousand words. This graphic book makes you very easy to understand the architectural vocabulary. Not only good for student but also good for architectural practicer.



3. My husband bought this book for me when I decided to go back to school to study architecture, and it has turned out to be sooooo helpful. I have used it in every course I've taken; it makes studying for tests so much easier. It has a fabulous index so you can find what you are looking for right away, and the illustrations and page layouts are great. This book is a must for any architecture student. I really can't recommend it highly enough.



4. As with other materials by Francis D.K.Ching, the illustrations are not only clear and precise but aesthetically pleasing. It is a pleasure to read through the material for a comprehensive understanding of architectural concepts, presented in an historical perspective which clarifies the how and why of modern day building technology. The Visual Dictionary of Architecture
   is an invaluable reference for the student and architectural practicioner as well.



5. This book is really good for architecture students. I do not use the book every day, but when I need it, it proves very usefull. All books from this author that I purchased are really good so far. This one has a lot of details drawings which are great.

5 comments about Villa.

1. This is unquestionably the finest interior decorating book of 2009 and because it shows the process of renovating a run down Santa Barbara home of great potential, a great book on architectural preservation as well. It provides a thorough and easily understood commentary about the process of planning and executing the design of a gorgeous villa looking out on the sea, including line drawings on translucent sheets, much like blueprints, but primarily utilizing brilliant before and after photos, room by room.
   
   Is an entire book about a single home really reasonable? It was done fairly well by John Stefanidis and a little less well by Bunny Williams, but John Saladino has outdone them all. Just as you could always tell a room by David Mlinaric, Mario Butta, Renzo Mongiardino or David Hicks, Saladino has a signature design style, unlike other decorators such as Billy Baldwin, Sister Parrish or Mark Hampton who were consistent principally in their emphasis on comfort and classicism. Some might have differing opinions regarding this latter group, of course, but Saladino loves classic authenticity combined with modern functionality and certainly achieves an excellent balance here.
   
   Importantly, this project permitted Saladino to achieve the zenith of his own particular style of Mediterranean-influence classicism, in no small part due to not having to get client approval for any element of his masterpiece. I suspect his banker was the only one he had to answer to; this is the dream home for anyone seeking the Montecito lifestyle. And so much more tasteful than the vast majority of the McMansions completed pre-2008 in Greenwich or the Hamptons by guys selling bonds or exploiting Bolivian miners while their trophy wives argued over fabric swatches.
   
   The only reviewer on these pages who gave the book less than five stars complained about how in this age of digital photography, large format shots are no longer available. Excuse me? Razor sharp images with perfect color reproduction across the photo in a format 13 inches high by 26 inches wide are not up to snuff? I have never seen photography at this level in any book on interiors in forty-plus years of looking. You feel as if you are walking into the room or up the stairs or into the garden. Robert Stern's books come close, but it's all about the house, not the interiors, and too many of his residential projects are frankly boring.
   
   One hardly needs to add the twelfth five-star review of this book, but I offer it to be sure that no one with any interest in design will miss it. THE decorating book of this year . . . or any other year, for that matter.



2. I saw this book on a coffee table in one of my design magazines.
   I was so excited I imediately looked on Amazon and there it was,
   at a discounted price. Now it is at my home,on my coffee table.
   I have thoroughly enjoyed it...he uses muted colors that are so
   relaxing. His design is never overdone, always timeless. The
   DVD, included with the book, is well done also. I would love to
   visit..if he ever opens his house for a tour fundraiser..I would
   definately buy the ticket!



3. When the songwriter and singer Curtis Mayfield was at a low point in his career, he made sure he went to the movies every day. Why? "It's important to dream," he said.
   
   Wise man. The "reality" we're sold in the media can't possibly define the limits of our lives. To think so is to invite despair. So we look for beauty, for inspiration. But when we find it in museums, in music or in books, it doesn't always speak to us --- it's not immediate enough, we don't have the vocabulary to process it.
   
   A beautiful house? That we can understand. We may not get the subtleties of the architecture or the décor, but we all have walls, windows, floors and furniture --- comparisons are inevitable and immediate.
   
   If you're going to look at a home of a professional, you can't go wrong with John Saladino, America's most gifted architectural designer. (Not "interior" designer --- Saladino has a large, holistic sense of what a house can be, and that very much includes its site.) In 2001, he bought a 2,500-square-foot villa near Santa Barbara that was well on its way to ruin. Four years later, it is a treasure and then some --- it's simply one of the most beautiful houses in the world.
   
   And now it's the subject of a dream of a book.
   
   Villa is 13.5 inches square. It contains an informative and chatty commentary by Saladino, 256 photographs, plans and drawings, and a DVD that gives you a tour of the house and property. Let us hope that Saladino has a state-of-the-art security system, because every page and image is an invitation for you to break in --- not to take anything, just to experience what it's like to walk in beauty.
   
   "Reality is the enemy," Saladino writes, and so he created an environment that might look natural, but is really sculpted. (The project, he says, was "75% construction, 25% decoration".) Set on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific, he first had to shore up the land, so his creation wouldn't go sliding off its moorings in a landslide. Then he had to attack decades of unfortunate decorating choices.
   
   It took six men a year to sandblast the paint off the stone walls. Terra cotta tiles had to be hand-stained, so they wouldn't look like plastic flooring. Beams were hand-stripped. An amusing touch: Saladino asked the workmen to have a few beers before they started to sand the dining room walls --- he didn't want perfection.
   
   This was a giant construction product, with as many as 40 workers on site each day. The transformation took four years --- twice as long as Saladino had predicted --- and cost three times more than he'd budgeted. "I did make it to dry land," he writes, "but only by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin."
   
   Saladino's design truths can be applied to smaller houses --- and smaller budgets. Among them:
   
   "Every home should be a sanctuary: entering it you should immediately feel physically and emotionally protected."
   
   "The most important thing about color is that it cannot be isolated --- every color is only ever seen in juxtaposition with other ones."
   
   "Any fragments from the past, especially those that you can touch, connect you to the makers of those pieces, making you aware that we are threads in a great tapestry of time."
   
   "Make the largest piece of furniture in the room the same color as either the floor or the walls so its bulk doesn't intrude."
   
   This is not stuffy advice. But then the house, for all its beauty, is strikingly relaxed. And there are a few well-placed jokes. On a statue of Sir Francis Drake, arguably the first Englishman to see the California coast, he set a pair of dark sunglasses. And, to puncture any air of self-importance, he named the retreat Villa di Lemma.
   
   There is no dilemma, of course. In his California home, John Saladino solved every design and decorating problem. The only unhappiness he created is on your coffee table --- all your other books will be wildly jealous of "Villa".



4. I am thrilled with this book! It has stunning photographer and interesting commentary by the author by Saladino himself. The CD that is in the back of the book is a film traveling up the long driveway to give you a feel for the setting and features gorgeous cinematography of the exterior and interior as well. A bit pretentiously presented but anyone who enjoys the restoration of an old home complete with furnishings and art with eat this up. I still peruse through this one though I bought it months ago. A great coffee table book!!
   
   Dwayne



5. Villa
   
   As other readers have noted, this is an attractive book depicting a beautiful property. My comments relate to the things I would like to have known before buying this rather expensive book.
   
   First, there is an excess of outdoor scenes. The garden and surrounding flora, while nice enough, did not seem so remarkable or spectacular as to justify the approximately 95 photos devoted to them.
   
   Second, I would like to have seen more full-room views of the villa's interior. Apparently the demise of the traditional large-format view camera in favor of digital technology has made the eye-popping interior vista a thing of the past. Most of the interior photos were chopped up views of the rooms and small vignettes. Nevertheless, there are some very nice photos.
   
   Third, the villa was apparently smaller than I had hoped as there are not that many rooms shown. In my opinion, the interiors were DC (Designer Correct) and understated to avoid criticism for any possible form of excess. Nothing to really complain about, but nothing to write home about either.
   
   Fourth, the artsy quality of the DVD was overdone (eyeball-distorting selective focus and lots of infra-red.) The sound balance was poor...when adjusted to listen to the narrator the volume of the background music was ear-splitting. Finally, the DVD content was disappointingly about 90 percent outdoor landscape/10 percent villa interior.
   
   The book probably rates 3.5 stars but that option is not offered. It is a nice book but, primarily because it featured trees and bushes more than the villa, it did not merit 4 or 5 stars in this reader's opinion.
   
   

No comments about Power of Gardens.

5 comments about Landscape Graphics.

1. I was required to utilize this book in my college study at Colorado State University. I was also fortunate to have Grant as my Professor leading me through his publication. As a professional Landscape Designer, and now LA, I can honestly say that I have attained all of my positions in Landscape Architectural firms based on these fundamental design standards and my graphic abilities. Personally, the book had it's uses as a teaching tool as well as it's inspirational uses now 15+ years later. Some people have stated that it is too basic and "dated". I may be old school when it comes to hand graphics and illustration, but I see the plan, section elevations, and perspective views represented in this book as nothing short of fundamental. Grant ingrained in his students to "be loose" (yes, Grant too was a student of Mike Lin and pulls material from him in this book as well) and that the quick thumbnail sketches that can be done on the spot are an essential means of communication. For early conceptualization, charettes and Design Development I have found these graphic standards essential. From there, I can incorporate this quick visualization into finished and approved architectural illustrations or whatever means of CAD, SketchUP, and/or Adobe CS program rounds it out to my firm and clients requirements.
   
   At the end of the day, this has always been an important and treasured addition to my collection right next to other books by Lin, Leggit, Doyle, and Wang.



2. I purchased this book as required per my Landscape Architecture graphics class at Ohio State University and 5 years out of college and I see refer to this book when I need help with my graphics or to use a new technique. Landscape Graphics gives you a step by step process on how to create trees, perspectives, ect; in addition to pages of graphic samples of people, ground covers, trees, shrubs, plan views, sections, lettering, and vehicles.
   I would highly recommend this book to anyone who sketches, or creates graphics in the architectural/landscape architectural field.



3. Product was in excellent condition delivered on time very good seller. If needed I will defiantly purchase from him again



4. I purchased this product 6 weeks ago and I can not make a review since I never received the book. I have contacted the seller and have not received any answer either.



5. Step-by-step instructions on how to draw landscape graphics. Includes basic tools, lead thickness, lettering, plan view, perspective, section, plants, people, light and shadow. Arranged in chapters with stepped-up exercises for each one. Example graphics for hundreds of different trees, shrubs, grasses and plants. Well worth the price.

5 comments about Backyard Idea Book: Outdoor Kitchens Fireplaces Sheds & Storage Play Spaces Pools & Spa (Idea Books).

1. Purchased the book primarily to help brainstorm design ideas for different spaces. The book abounds with pictures and images of a variety creative, artful and visually appealing designs for a variety of climates. That is, there are pictures of nicely layed out small spaces and large spaces for Southwest (dry and hot) or Northeast (wet and cold) climates. Not as much for the Southwest as I would have preferred, but overall, no complaints. Includes useful comments, consistent color themes, dramatic colors, interesting examples of accessories. There are visually appealing spaces with minimal plants (think low maintenance) and small spaces with stacks of potted plants for you high maintenance lovers who are really into your plants.
   
   Worked for me.



2. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BOOK !! TERRIFIC IDEAS TO MAKE YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE FABULOUS. FOR THOSE OF US WHO VACATION IN THE BACKYARD OF OUR WINTER HOME.



3. I have recently become a big fan of the "Idea Book" series from Taunton. This one is no exception with plenty of ideas that cover every gamut of the back yard. Although this book is pushing 5 years old, luckily this subject matter is less susceptible to trends and fads, so the images and ideas are timeless.
   
   I recommend this to anyone that is looking for some ideas, whether it's sprucing up a zone, or small area, to the entire backyard. Only complaint is that there are a few over the top, million dollar mansion photos that just don't seem to fit with the subject. When you start measuring your backyard in acres...well then that's just a different story.



4. This has been a wonderful book that I have enjoyed savoring. There are diagrams to be used as tools that are impressive, all surrounded by fabulous pictures of realistic projects. Laypeople as well as professional builders can all benefit from the beauty of this book.



5. Lee Ann White takes the 'chore' out of creating an inviting backyard, with this beautiful book filled with great pictures and easy-to-understand instructions. A must-have for creative gardeners and crafters.
   Anna Marie Fritz, author of "Funny Feline Fotos," and other amazon books.

5 comments about New Treehouses of the World.

1. Wonderful book, wonderful photos. Gave it to my adult son for Christmas and his whole family loves it. His daughters are now planning for their Dad to build them a treehouse this summer



2. Pete Nelson's new book is well written and gives the reader a visual picture of some of the best treehouses in the world.
   
   The book provides the reader with background information on the builders and owners of theses structures. More importantly, it gives the reader the ability to see the vast possibilities building a treehouse holds; from an artistic structure to a completed house in a tree.



3. My love of tree houses has been life long, and since discovering Nelson's first tree house book some time ago, I have had to own each subsequent one. His newest book does not disappoint, and feeds the imagination with vivid photos and inspiring narrative. Although this is not a how-to book, Nelson does provide insight into how the tree houses, shown in a variety of cultures and settings, are designed and constructed. As a coffee table book, you won't find a more beautiful one.



4. I LOVE tree houses, always have. This book is an amazing compilation of construction around the world. Lots of stunning pictures and stories behind the structures. Definitely recommended for any tree-house-lover, or as an eye-catching coffee table book (everyone picks up mine as soon as they walk into the living room!). :o)



5. Peter Nelson's treehouse books are always inspiring, voyeuristic, and FUN. This is his best book yet. Not a How-to (he's done those) although he does briefly touch on the latest in treehouse engineering and there is a wealth of contact information in the back of the book.
   
   The photos are very clear, well composed, and this time we get a lot of views and angles. His last book was a bit stingy with the photos, leaving me wanting another page of pictures. This book gives it to us. The design quality of the treehouses featured is also unsurpassed. He doesn't just show us money-no-object projects but also beautiful aeries built by a homeless man or salvage junkies. The book's continuity comes from all of these treehouses being gorgeous works of art built with an artists eye. It seems that by placing a house in a tree, it frees the imagination (and the voice in your head who says "you can't do that"). More passionate architectural creativity is in this book than you can find anywhere else.
   
   Pete narrates the book, letting the reader in on the impetus behind the owner's flight of fancy. His words add to the visual story and brings some details into focus.
   
   The best Treehouse Design Book ever printed. Should be in every library.

3 comments about The Landscape Urbanism Reader.

1. This is a must read for any aspiring urban designer, landscape architect, or architect interested in current theories and practices relative to the future of our urban environment.



2. this book is really good to students who study Landscape Architecture.



3. This was a gift for my architect brother. He was thrilled with it. It was received as promised, with quick shipping and arrived in pristine shape. It was indeed a merry Christmas.