5 comments about Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods.

1. Arrived quickly and in great condition. Box could have used some stuffing such as foam or bubble wrap. Otherwise great choice.



2. it has real pictures explaining the details and materials not just 2d line drawings. great book



3. This is the best resource for someone who's starting to study for the ARE tests, and for the profession in general, and for anyone related or making GOOD CONSTRUCTION. It's totally worth the price, because its a hardbook cover and you will use it for the rest of your life.



4. This is an amazing book and a very pleasant to read and look into the diagrams and figures. This is a must for any Architect and designer to understand the issue of constructibility and structural erection.
   
   Also it is an excellent text book, sophisticated yet easy to comprehend.



5. The book could have gone into greater depth about reinforcing steel and formwork for concrete but these are minor drawbacks in an otherwise really helpful book which is a must for the budding architect and construction engineer or indeed for anyone working in the construction industry.This volume covers each aspect of building construction in quite a bit of detail. The illustrations are superb. The best I've seen for a book on this material for this price range.

5 comments about Statics and Strength of Materials for Architecture and Building Construction.

1. This "text" book has a lot of nicely drawn images and plenty of problems to work on but when you look through it to help figure out how to solve the problems the book is USELESS in pretty must every sense of the word.
   Also the setup is odd making it hard to look back through the book and distinguishing between example problems and homework type problems making you even more frustrated when trying to teach yourself how to solve a problem.



2. It felt like the book to a little longer than expected, but arrived as advertised. Good transaction.



3. I bought this book to help as an aid in my studies and it did halp give a better understanding of structural engineering.



4. I am taking a Structures class for my construction management degree. I purchased this textbook as a back up to the one that was assigned. The illustrations and sample problems cover the topic clearly and systematically. I recommend the book for those interested.



5. Usually, when you're turned off by a technical book, it isn't because you're too stupid to read it - it's because the concepts lack illustration in a way that promotes stimulation. This book has big helpings of illustrations made especially to enhance the experiences of learning what would otherwise be difficult or at the least abstract ideas in statics. The thrust is architecture, but the worth of the book goes beyond architecture into engineering. Excellent for community college courses in construction and mechanics.

5 comments about Sun, Wind & Light: Architectural Design Strategies, 2nd Edition.

1. Because I needed this book for school personally I have no regrets about the book. Even if I didn't need it for school I would still feel like the book is a interesting and useful tool when it comes to studying the effects of nature on buildings.



2. An excellent book. A must have for any architect, builder, interior designer...
   
   Just buy it.



3. This is one of the best books I've seen that address building architectural design considerations that affect heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting. It presents tidbits from real designs, focuses on maximizing the effects of the local climate on the building toward the objective of a comfortable and usable living/working space, and addresses supplemental systems as well. This information presumes a level of knowledge relating to some of these concepts that I don't currently have, making it a pretty hard read in many places. However, the book digs pretty deep into each area, providing enough information to get a good start on a building design. The fusion of engineering and creativity is my favorite feature of this book. It provides insight into creative building designs while also presenting the more quantitative factors necessary to size and evaluate a design for intended use.



4. I thought the book itself was really interesting although a little confusing. Especially when I actually had to use it for class assignments!



5. Although I normally read books in twos and threes on the same topic to gain varied perspectives, this is the first time I am writing a single review encompassing two books. They mesh together so well that I cannot imagine studying this subject without having BOTH in hand.
   
   The two books are Sun, Wind & Light: Architectural Design Strategies, 2nd Edition and The HOK Guidebook to Sustainable Design.
   
   Start with the introduction in the Guidebook, which is blessed with a Foreword from Paul Hawken and see especially page 13 where the cost benefits are shown, with 48% energy savings for Gold, 30% for Silver, and 28% for Certified. See also the illustration on page 15 that I have reproduced in the image I am loading for both books: the old decision model was Cost at the top, with Schedule and Quality anchoring the triangle. the new decision model still has cost at the top, but Schedule and Human Health, Safety, & Comfort are on corners of this new pentagon, and the bottom is achored by Quality and Ecology, or what Paul Hawken would call in his books, "true cost" to the Earth and Humanitas.
   
   NOW shift to the Contents and the Detailed Contents of Sun, Wind, & Light. As one reviewer notes, this is a course book. I did not recognize it as such, I saw it as one of the most gifted complete collection of factors to learn and apply that I have ever seen for ANY topic of study. The content and organization of this book is nothing short of Nobel-level "wow." Finish going through this book.
   
   NOW go back to the first 218 pages of the Handbook, and study the checklists and varied helpful boxes and explanations. The rest of the book (217-459) is case studies of specific buildings, each a few pages, that can be left for last.
   
   At this point, I went into the Glossaries and Bibliographies of both books. Each is distinct, neither supplants the other. They must be taken together. I read Glossaries, and Indices, as content, and use them as a form of "second look" (in extremely complex books, this is actually where I start).
   
   NOW go back to the Case Studies in the Handbook, and read each from the point of view of what "take away" lessons are there for your own building.
   
   Reading these two books was a real treat. Outside my office kitchen is a deck with an 11 point system for attracting birds from bluebirds and bluejays to cardinals, gold finches, two kinds of woodpecker, and a flicker as well as the more common birds. I believe in diversity, and I believe that if we don't get our act together and start living up to the ideals of Natural Capitalism (see other recommended books below), our world will go sterile and dark before out great-grandchilden can share in the beauty of this planet. These two books are part of the solution, and I am in serious awe of those who made them available to all of us, and at reasonable prices to boot. Well done!!!
   
   Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming
   Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution
   The Ecology of Commerce
   Ecological Economics: Principles And Applications
   For the Common Good: Redirecting the Economy toward Community, the Environment, and a Sustainable Future
   The Soul of Capitalism: Opening Paths to a Moral Economy
   Capitalism 3.0: A Guide to Reclaiming the Commons (Bk Currents)
   The Philosophy of Sustainable Design

2 comments about Digital Fabrications: Architectural and Material Techniques (Architecture Briefs).

1. this book is great for understanding the methods behind creating some of these amazing shapes and forms. Great digital process and fabrication methods.



2. Contributing to the discussion on the role of digital and emerging technology in the discipline of architecture, Digital Fabrications: Architectural and Material Techniques documents a series of recent projects with an integral relationship between the act of designing and the act of making. Iwamoto organizes these works in a manner that draws commonalities between their material, tectonic, and spatial innovations, presenting these independent projects as a coherent collective that is innovating architectural thinking, teaching, making, and designing. This curation captures the vanguard spirit of the 1:1 experiments by focusing on smaller-scale projects (fabricated within the past five years, and by relatively young, small firms or even students,) as their prescribed restrictions (the availability of space, budget, materials, and/or tools) promotes innovating standard, accessible materials and machinery to achieve a new, unanticipated affect.
   
   Throughout Digital Fabrications, the emphasis is design + fabrication. Iwamoto excludes purely tectonic projects, as well as unbuilt designs, as the true ethos of these experiments in architectural design/fabrication is how the two processes integrate and inform each other. The projects included are in continuous contact with material and fabrication techniques during the various stages of development. The design (and designer) works in congruence with the computer, as well as the tools and methods of fabrication, to conceive and realize their work. The included projects exemplify how open, synchronous communication between design and manufacturing can, and has been, expanding spatial, material, and tectonic possibilities within the discipline.
   Written for "anyone who wants to know how digital fabrication works, why architects use it, and how it promotes innovative design" Iwamoto documents the design process, as well as the material and fabricating techniques used, in order to disseminate these concepts. The structuring of the book, the categorization of projects by their means of their fabrication reinforces the idea that tooling and material techniques are an integral process of the final design. Each of the five parts (sectioning, tessellating, folding, contouring, and forming,) begins with a brief definition of the operation, its historical precedents, its most useful application, as well as its more innovative applications. It is here where Iwamoto takes the opportunity to cite built larger and smaller scale projects, putting the featured projects into a larger context of work while also emphasizing their ingenuity and inventiveness.
   
   The projects featured in Digital Fabrications: Architectural and Material Techniques are eliminating the boundary between conception and actualization, and are innovating solutions to recurring architectural problems. The digitization of the fabrication process has challenged designers to not only redefine the uses of traditional building materials, but to also redefine the limits of space, and redefine their role in the life of the design.

No comments about Interior Design: Materials and Specifications.

3 comments about Thermal Delight in Architecture.

1. Thermal Delight in Architecture is an inspiring look at the thermal aspects of architecture (temperature and humidity), a frustrating and unexciting topic for many designers. Although this work came out of the energy crisis of the 70's, its implications could not be more relevant in our time. When most architects view thermal design as efficient heating and cooling systems, heat gain and heat loss and the challenge of creating an envelope with a high R-value, Heschong approaches this topic from a completely unique and refreshing perspective. Her focus is not on the technical and monotonous aspects of thermal conditions, she looks at this subject as an architectural designer, not a mechanic or an engineer, focusing on the social, emotional and experiential significance of the thermal through a historic and cultural lens. Her thesis, although not entirely resolved in this short work, makes an argument for a new approach to architectural design, where thermal aspects are not treated with neglect and contempt but are used to enrich the experience of the inhabitant both physically and emotionally.
   Heschong begins her case with a look at the fundamental need for humans to stay warm and cool, dry and humid. She explores the history of mankind and how it dealt with this issue, the making of fires, shelters and places of protection from the heat of the sun. She makes a case that the human of the past dealt with this issue simply, but their solutions were full of rich experiences and allowed for a strong connection to nature. In a description of the igloo she explains how nature itself provided the protection from harmful aspects of nature and the fire was a central aspect of the home, it not only provided warmth but was the center of activity, the source of comfort and light. Heschong uses many historic examples to express the significance thermal characteristics played in the history of humanity but her support comes not only from architecture. She uses a broad pallet of sources, quotes and common knowledge that unites the historic facts with human affection through poetry and stories that help convey the ideas.
   Heschong's analysis continues into the Delight, Affection and Sacredness that thermal aspects of architecture creates. She states that man has always delighted experiencing thermal extremes such as "The Fins... jumping from the sauna into a snowbank or a cold lake. At the beach, after baking in the sun, there is a cold ocean to swim in." Although Heschong's examples are often not architectural, she always relates how architecture played a role in bringing people delight. Today, the extent of thermal experience is a constant room temperature controlled by pressing a button, unless the heating or cooling unit breaks. We ignore our past thermal experiences and delights that enriched our lives physically and emotionally. She argues that it is not natural for mankind to live, work and play in a space that has a constant thermal condition, it has never been the case in human nature, nor was it so for any other living thing on earth.
   Although Thermal Delight in Architecture is an intriguing work of architectural exploration it leaves one with a somewhat nagging question. Heschong states the rich history of thermal aspects of architecture and the current neglect of such delights and affections but she does not resolve today's void and gives little advice to how this might be solved or if there is a solution at all. In her last paragraph she states that today, solar homes are the closest example of such architecture but how one should go about introducing thermal delight and affection into today's built environment is not stated.
   Having lived and practice architecture through the 70's, Heschong understands the significance of efficient and sustainable architectural design. In fact, her studies of thermal delight, affection and sacredness were inspired through her work with solar homes. In an age where green design is king and energy prices are consistently going up and are predicted to continue the trend, sustainable and efficient design is relevant today more than ever. Although green architecture is everywhere and will continue to grow, it often lacks exactly that which Heschong addresses in her work. Thermal Delight in Architecture can be the perfect springboard for those who are interested in addressing this issue and want to help bring greater meaning a richer experiences to the future of green architecture.



2. I purchased this book for use with my Thesis research, and have been quite pleased with it. The book brings up ideas about human perception of spaces as influenced by thermal conditions. It goes into historical examples very nicely, but it is a little weak on more contemporary works. That being said, it is quite easy to apply the proposals to any work of architecture. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in 1) architecture or 2) human perception. For someone that is interested in the human perception of architecture, it's a must-have.



3. Of the many books I've read on architecture, this has been by far the most influential; it inspired by bachelor of architecture thesis. Heschong argues that thermal aesthetics in architecture, although almost universally overlooked, affect building users at least as much as visual aesthetics. She supports her thesis by naming dozens of examples linking thermal qualities to psychology/perception, culture, traditions, language, and, of course, architecture. The book is accessible to everyone and not just architects: it is not at all technical and is very concise. Yet it is thorough, and is sure to change the reader's perception of his or her thermal environments.

5 comments about Architectural Research Methods.

1. This is a GREAT resource for students in the design professions, even if their thesis is not a design thesis. It has great examples and explains how to utilize built works, not just written works in research. It is very helpful for undergraduate students with little to no research experience. A truly invaluable source of information for architecture/landscape architecture/urban design and planning/interior design students.



2. Este libro es de mucha ayuda para entender los metodos de investigacion, especialmente en el campo de la arquitectura. Ha sido de mucha ayuda para mi trabajo de investigacion.



3. This is a great book that fills a gap in architectural education. it tries to cover a wide range of issues. The effort is appreciated and to a great extend successful



4. This is a good overall text for anyone working in or towards a graduate degree in architecture or landscape architecture.



5. As a graduate student taking my first official course in research methods, I was disappointed. The language and structure of this book could have been made a lot easier to follow. I would have appreciated, for example, more frequent subheadings and listing of points. Because of the lack of, the book is difficult to skim or pick and choose sections to read; expect to read thoroughly. Some of the examples in the book were questionable -especially the chapter on experimental and quasi-experimental research. The frequent diagrams were also lacking in clarity. I think that the text could have been half as long and still conveyed the same amount of information. Redundancy aside, I did (with much caffeinated effort) gain a broad understanding of several research strategies and tactics. The book is not a comprehensive guidebook for conducting research based on particular research methods; it is merely a broad introduction or clarification of various strategies. However, it frequently suggests comprehensive texts for further reading if you are so inclined.

1 comments about The Third Teacher: 79 Ways You Can Use Design to Transform Teaching & Learning (Architecture).

1. The Third Teacher, along with its web site, Facebook page, and other resources, is a catalyst for discussion about the role of the environment in learning. By implication this means the designed environment, so the book is really about the role of design in creating environments that enhance learning.
   
   Educators often fail to consider how the images, objects, places and experiences that make up the schooling experience are as important as the words and numbers emphasized in the curriculum. One of the strengths, and possible weaknesses, of this book is that it addresses key issues in education from outside the traditional stable of education writers. The book is a collaborative effort among school architects, school furniture suppliers, and designers.
   
   The strength of this approach is that it brings together ideas of designers experienced in creating the buildings, interiors and environments in which schooling takes place. They are all very familiar with the needs and shortcomings of traditional schooling and provide a wealth of examples of how their ideas are working in real schools.
   
   The weakness is that this outsider perspective opens up the common complaints of teachers in the field that the everyday demands of time, shortness of supplies, over crowded classrooms, troubled students, disenfranchised families, state and national requirements, standardized testing, and so on, are not taken seriously by presenting hot-house examples with extraordinary resources and community support.
   
   The problem is that teachers need to see themselves as designers of the world in which they live, work and teach. The Third Teacher encourages teachers to develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions of designers and understand that we all create the world in which we live. This book shows how even the students can become designers of their learning environments. Designers are by nature, optimists and activists. Designers don't complain about problems - they solve them. Optimism and action are characteristics educators need to transform schools into places of real learning and joy and The Third Teacher is a great way to get started.

5 comments about Olin's Construction: Principles, Materials, and Methods.

1. While very large, the book covers all details of a building from the ground up. It's very specific, but also a very easy read. It's written in clear, concise English that makes it an easy read... even though it may be a dry subject at times. For those who know nothing about construction (like myself who is just starting my architecture program) this is an ideal book.



2. If you are clueless about construction, this will certainly help you learn more than you ever wanted to know. If you have been in construction, the only thing this book will help you learn is that it is heavy and hard to read in a recliner...



3. This was a good purchase. The book was shipped on time and packaged very well. I purchased this book as a referene and a study guide for the CPBD exam.



4. This book is screaming for a companion text/outline with notation spaces. This would greatly speed student review.



5. The follow up to Construction: Principles, Materials & Methods is Olin's Construction. The book is both detailed in the same old editions fashions however the drawings and reference images still have that text-book feel and are circa 1980s and some even 1970s. Some more modern methods are not covered which is a problem however many other "modern construction" books handle those. The basics are still where it's at and this book is a great reference that would fit nicely on your architecture, construction or building technology shelf. I'd really give it 3-1/2 stars but rounding makes it a 4 out of 5. To improve it would need to update drawings and images and also include more information on topics such as restoration; historic preservation and of course the ever changing advancements in modern construction. Also, the next edition should have details/topics about Green Construction of which I have found none thus far.
   I had the 5th edition as a student 12 years ago and wanted the updated version. Much of the information is the same and it's a toss up if you should get this as an update instead of say Allen's book.

5 comments about Materials for Design.

1. i really love this book. it has all types of detailed drawings about different materials. the graphics and pictures are over the top!



2. The book itself is solid graphically and formatted well, however as an architectural student I would not recommend it to anyone looking for gaining a unique perspective on the manipulation and action of materials in design. A much better choice would be the Berkhauser Series, particularly the Facade Construction Manual. The assembly drawings and diagrams are too stripped down to gain any understanding of the system assembly. Not for students or people with a good understanding of material and assemblage effects.



3. thing you wont see in avery book, they go further, projects not that known wich is great



4. This is one of the best materials books I've been able to find. It provides thorough descriptions of the history, development and manufacturing of numerous materials (traditional and non traditional) in addition to useful applications and proper techniques all in one very well crafted book. An essential for student and practicing architects as well as anyone involved in interiors, environmental design, industrial design, graphic design...



5. It is really a nice book. The definitions for each material are clearly represented. The case studies are up to date. I like the demonstration of all of the details.