1 comments about Design Outlaws on the Ecological Frontier.

1. This book is one of the only works that addresses the topic of Ecological Design in an in-depth manner. Moreover, it focuses on the progenitors of this movement - the design outlaws that had the courage to forge entirely new and radical paths in art, design, science and technology. Powerful stuff - important message - innovative and engaging subject matter.

No comments about Construction of Architecture: From Design to Built.

1 comments about Leicht Weit/Light Structures.

1. The book introduces German talented structural engineer:Jorg schlaich and his office's work.
   The work ranges from super-long span bridge, or tiny, but state-of-art footbridge, solar power system and so on.
   The book covers his early career:Munich Olympic stadium, to most recent work like Frank Gehry's DG Bank Berlin.
   Especially, in my opinion,arch-shaped bridge (pathway has curved plan) is most significant one.
   If you want to know most up-to-date structural technique, this is the one.
   Regrettably,explanation for each project is not long enough because of much number of projects.

No comments about Architecture Transformed: New Life for Old Buildings.

No comments about Devices.

No comments about Prison Architecture.

1 comments about Limestone Lives: Voices From The Indiana Stone Belt (Quarry Books).

1. I just finished reading this book...I love it. Ok, I am somewhat biased since Ms. Ferrucci selected my brother, Ned Cunningham, as one carver she interviewed. My family has been in every phase of limestone from my grandfather, to my father, step-father, and both brothers. This book really captures the real impact of limestone on peoples lives. The pictures are clean and varied. Nice job! Jean Cunningham

1 comments about Out of the Woods.

1. This is the best book on the Segal style of self-building popular in the UK. There are three elements to the Segal movement: A practical building method for light wood frame buildings; An ecological approach to building; A track record of owner built communities. This book sticks mostly to the buildings.

   Segal built houses are essentially stick buildings made up of ring frames, raised like the bents in a timber frame building. As a structural type they would only be a footnote to post and beam or platform framed building, even if they took off in popularity. They nonetheless provide an attractive, light on the land approach that, aesthetically, is reminiscent of Japanese houses made modern (I suppose one might say Tudor also).

   When the book touches on the other themes of ecology and social housing it misses the mark somewhat for most readers, I suspect. These subjects are covered comprehensively elsewhere in the Whole House Book (also Borer and Harris), and the Self Build Book. These themes are also more contingent on local situations and views. For instance the idea that it is more environmentally friendly to burn oak hardwood than say natural gas, because trees when re-grown will be greenhouse gas net-neutral due to the trees' consumption of CO2, is mildly ridiculous. I guess it depends on whose lungs are downwind.

No comments about The Third Skin: Architecture, Technology & Environment.

No comments about Japan - Culture of Wood: Buildings, Objects, Techniques.