No comments about GreenTOpia: Towards a Sustainable Toronto.

2 comments about The Tao of Architecture.

1. As the title suggests, the premise of the book (actually an extended essay) is to discuss the connections between Taoism and architecture. In his treatment of the material, he presupposes that the reader has a familiarity with both architecture and Taoism. Thus, a reader without a background in architecture or Taoism quickly becomes confused. Combined with the inherent difficulty in understanding Taoism, this makes the book very difficult to read. If the reader is truly interested in Taoism, I suggest buying The Tao of Physics or The Tao of Pooh.



2. A very insperational and informative book! Truely helped me with design!

1 comments about Switzerland - an Urban Portrait: Vol. 1: Introduction - Vol. 2: Borders, Communes : a Brief History of the Territory - Vol. 3: Materials.

1. It's a really productive study of Switzerland. A highly graphically developed book, but also in terms of the text, explanations and in terms of chronological terms about history of Switzerland. A unic set of books to understand Switzerland in aspects of: History, culural and linguistic diversity, bringing all this together in terms of an Urban Portrait.

3 comments about The Adaptable House : Designing Homes for Change.

1. good overview of adaptable home techniques
   focus on affordability is a welcome change as most architectural design is geared toward higher end homes.
   illustrations compliment the text
   
   from the book:
   Author Avi Friedman believes that rather than being unchangeable, physical environments should be designed and constructed to easily adjust to the evolving lifestyle of their inhabitants. A home, he contends, should be structurally flexible enough to adapt to changes such as children "leaving the nest," elderly relatives moving in, or the need for home office space. Written by an internationally recognized flexible housing advocate, The Adaptable House provides specific design approaches and techniques that facilitate flexible design--both on the inside and outside--making it simple to alter a dwelling layout, demolish partitions or build new ones, upgrade heating systems, change the locations of stairs, etc. The book is divided into three logical sections: the first sets the stage for adaptability, the second outlines relevant principles, and the last shows their actual application. Packed with floor plans, drawings, photos, and charts to fully and clearly illustrate his suggestions, The Adaptable House includes detailed coverage of: * Interior layouts and room configurations * Exterior elements such as roofs and facades * New building materials and methods * Easy add-on and remodels * Single-family and multiple dwelling housing The Adaptable House is a master blueprint for those interested in creating homes that can be quickly, easily, and inexpensively redesigned to meet the dynamic nature of the occupants' life. contributers include Nadia Meratla, Effie Bouras, and André Majaes



2. A MASTER BLUEPRINT FOR FLEXIBLE HOUSING
   Good overview of housing adaptability types- Here Professor Friedman proves that affordable, well constructed housing options exist and that site/ financial constraints can be creatively approached.
   Illustrations are helpful, though more would be useful.
   contributers include Nadia Meratla, Effie Bouras, and André Majaes



3. Sorry I don't have more time right now to compose a more substantial supportive review, but suffice it to say that I can enthusiastically give this book 5 stars. Though somewhat modest in it's appearance, the book's contents are an important advancement of many of the concepts discussed in the equally important book, How Buildings Learn. Importantly, in addition to the ideas discussed, are several examples of actual projects, including construction details and materials showing how to achieve them. This book is a particularly valuable and practical reference for all forward-thinking architects and contractors who truly want to serve their clients for a long time to come.

2 comments about City of Collision: Jerusalem and the Principles of Conflict Urbanism.

1. This is a must for anyone doing research on the effects of fear and power struggles on urban design and architecture. Jerusalem is for sure a case study that can be applied to any other contemporary city in the world, and this recompilation of essays gives key elements which one can use to work with and do so.



2. This book is must for those who are researching on implications of urban planning and governmental decisions on the life of cities and its people.

No comments about Cities on Rails: The Redevelopment of Railway Station Areas.

No comments about Architectural Principles in the age of Cybernetics.

No comments about The Walkable City: From Haussmann's Boulevards to Jane Jacobs' Streets and Beyond (Urban Studies).

No comments about Urban Transformation: Understanding City Form and Design.

No comments about Hamilton Park: A Planned Black Community in Dallas (Creating the North American Landscape).