Reviews (21)

Architectual Graphic Standards February 23, 2006
The most up to date technical information for the architectual and construction community.A must have source of information.

Regarding 1934 reprint of 1st edition: good resource
This is an excellent resource for anyone looking to understand traditional building materials and methods. The printing is excellent. The actual plates from the original work are valuable not only for the technical information they contain, but the artistry with which they were composed is superb.
Architectural Graphic Standards
About every thing you need to know about architecture, drawing architechture, and understanding architecture.This is a valuable addition and source of information for my architectural library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Drawing    2. Architecture    3. Design & Drafting    4. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    5. Reference    6. Architectural structure & design    7. Architecture / Reference    8. Engineering graphics & technical drawing   

Reviews (5)

very good all-around reference
I primarily work as a structural-architectural engineer and am becoming more and more involved in civil-site work.This handbook is exactly what I was looking for in terms of something that would quickly get me "up to speed" in the fundamentals of civil-site design. Difficult to follow!
I am in a class at Community College of Baltimore Countyand we are using this book at this time. Our whole class along with the Professor find this book to be very difficult to follow. The book constantly repeats itself making it extremely boring to read and is not fluent at all. They have examples that reference charts that are 3-5 pages apart from the problem being discussed the formulas you almost have to figure out for yourself how they are used and there are alot of typos. A Must Have Pub
Ever since I purchased this publication I can't stop using it.Every civil engineer should have this as part of their reference library, regardless of your area of specialty.It providesmacro to micro scale explanations of general processes, design applications, etc in a very readable format.More times than I can remember I have looked to this book for an answer or at least for some guidance and was throuroughly satisfied.No it is not a definitive reference for civil engineers but its' breadth and usability overshadows any technical shortcomings.If I had to have just one reference book for my area of practice (general civil), this would be it.Yeah, yeah, the "Standard Handbook for Civil Engineers" is a more definitive reference, but I usually find out what I need in this pub.Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building Sites    3. Construction - General    4. Engineering - Civil    5. Engineering geology    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Land Use    8. Land Utilization    9. Law    10. Planning    11. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    12. Real estate development    13. Remodeling & Renovation - General    14. Science/Mathematics    15. Surveying    16. Architecture / Planning    17. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    18. Property & real estate   

Editorial Review

In this fanciful volume, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, founder of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (O.M.A.), both analyzes and celebrates New York City. By suggesting the city as the site for an infinite variety of human activities and events--both real and imagined--the essence of the metropolitan lifestyle, its "culture of congestion" and its architecture are revealed in a brilliant new light. "Manhattan," Koolhaas writes, "is the 20th century's Rosetta stone . . . occupied by architectural mutations (Central Park, the Skyscraper), utopian fragments (Rockefeller Center, the U.N. Building), and irrational phenomena (Radio City Music Hall)." Filled with fascinating facts, as well as photographs, postcards, maps, watercolors, and drawings, the vibrancy of Koolhaas's poignant exploration of Gotham equals the heady, frenetic energy of the city itself. Anyone who loves New York will want to own this book. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Eating oysters with boxing gloves, naked, on the nth floor.
The quote written above is excerpted from Delirious New York. It is a perfect example of the lyrical quality of the writing prevalent throughout this amazing book. Delirious New York is not an objective chronological listing of New York's development, but a collection of manifestos and stories with opinionated perspectives about a city founded on the idea that maximum congestion is a desirable factor. It is informative, funny (the midget firefighters of Coney Island had me laughing aloud for a solid minute or two), twisted, and inspiring.
best koolhaas ever, man
koolhaas is a bit over-the-top for me, but this I think is is best work. it's worth checking out if only for the story of coney island. once you get past blisteringly pretentious phrases like "coney island is a fetal manhattan", you'll find it gloriously entertaining as both a narrative and theoretical work.

the culture of congestion
This is by far Koolhaas's most accessible work, as it is rooted so clearly in detail from the city's past. Further, the book is simply brilliant. His take on urban history is to Jane Jacobs what Socrates is to common sense. New York is a special case of modernism that sprang from a special constellation of poltiical and technological forces that collectively create a cultural "big-bang" at the turn of the century. Read it. Blow your mind. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American architecture    2. Architecture    3. Buildings    4. Criticism    5. New York    6. New York (N.Y.)    7. New York (State)    8. New York - Local History    9. Planning    10. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    11. Social History    12. U.S. Architecture - General    13. Art / Subjects & Themes / General    14. Local history    15. USA   

Reviews (4)

A Must Own Book for Serious Residential Do-It-Yourselfers
This book is an excellent reference book for use in designing, planning, and building a new house or remodeling an existing one. Whenever I plan on doing something on the house, I double check with this reference before finishing my designs and plans. It's a must own book for serious do-it-yourselfers.
Readers' Digest Version of AGS
Although these editions change little, this review is based upon AGS 10th Ed. & AGSRC 2003.
One volume encyclopedia
Experienced readers will benefit from its brief summaries and drawings covering the broadest range of topics imaginable. Some economizing is evident in the paper and printing quality, some of the drawings look 50 years old, but there is lots of reference information, like span tables, solar position data, etc. Probably not the last word on every topic, but still worth consulting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Drawing    2. Architecture    3. Building    4. Construction - General    5. Design & Drafting    6. Details    7. Drawings    8. Reference    9. Residential Construction    10. Standards    11. Architectural structure & design    12. Architecture / Reference    13. Building construction & materials    14. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Planning    3. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    4. Real Estate - General    5. Reference    6. Regional & Area Planning   

Reviews (2)

SPA
Excellent prompt service of a great book at a great price. Thank You ET

A lovely book filled with photos and ideas
Nothing is more lovely or inviting than a spa, and the best mimic pools and lovely outdoors environments. Whether you're a traveler seeking the ultimate spa or a homeowner seeking ideas for reproducing paradise in your own backyard, Spa is the book of choice for locating both ideas and destinations. Spas around the world, from resorts and hotel spas to, are profiled and packed into a lovely book filled with photos and ideas. Spa prices and services will appeal to destination-oriented travelers, while the extensive color shots of spa surroundings, both interior and exterior, offer plenty of ideas for homeowners who would create smaller versions of paradise.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    3. Photo Essays    4. Photoessays & Documentaries    5. Photography    6. Family & Health    7. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Reviews (4)

Academic. A text book that needs a refresher for today's issues.
Rick is first and foremost a professor, so the book follows an academic format best suited for the young student of development seeking a broad introduction to the process.Of course, the real world is more complex than any textbook could ever capture.That said, the book has become a bitdated for the contemporary developer, whose world is increasingly governed by investors, special interest groups and oft ill-informed government officials!The book delivers fundamental building blocks in a logical, sequential process.The examples cited are, as another reviewer pointed out, on average probably 14 year old analogies.Perhaps the largest ommission is an accurate portrayal of what a developer really does - assembles a diverse team of people together to share in a singular vision, then rule over this creative, temperamental team with an iron fist in velvet gloves.A chapter called 'Cat Herding' would best summarize that world.
Excellent starter book
Excellent starter book. Should be required reading for every real estate professional. Wished I'd had about 5 years ago.

ULI Guide
For its high price, you may want to seriously think about your needs.If your intention is to buy a book for a broad overview of the development process with a somewhat academic approach, then this may be right for you. If you are builder or someone with prior real estate brokerage/service experience, you may find this too ivory tower and not practical.This book was a bit theoretical for my taste.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    5. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    6. Real Estate - General   

Reviews (18)

Great book!
This book is not only beautiful, but includes a great text!With helpful hints on everything, I refer to it on a daily basis.
A visual beauty but...
If you are not Donald Trump and your house is not Mara Lago you may be a tad dissapointed. I was expecting an affair w/ this book. According to the author, what every guest room needs is Egyptian cotton percale sheets w/ a 400 thread count. Ok..lol...shoot me...I buy my sheets at Target. I found the book a bit stuffy for my taste.

a special book, a special gift
When I bought my new home in Italy I wished a book which could give me ideas for decorating the rooms in country style. I chose this by Bunny Williams and I am relly satisfacted because there are a lot of nice suggestion and beatifull pictures.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Dwellings    5. Gardening    6. House & Home    7. Interior Design - General    8. Interior decoration    9. Remodeling    10. Remodeling & Renovation - General    11. Residential Buildings Architecture    12. Residential Interior Design    13. Architecture / Interior Design    14. Interior design   

Reviews (5)

This book would even make the Sun King proud
What an amazing book, it is nothing short of spectacular.The pictures are vivid and the book quality is of the highest caliber.The other reviewer was correct in noting that the reader has to been careful with this book, the pages are so heavy that it will pull from the binding if you are not careful when positioning the book.I have always had a facination with Versailles and this book really captures the chateaux, it makes you feel like you are stolling the gardens and taking in the sumptuous wonders of the palace. Unlike other books on Versailles this one is complete, it covers everything and in striking detail.I urge anyone with any interest in Versailles to buy this book, even used at 200 U.S., it is a bargain.I assure you you will not be disappointed in this book.

NEWEST EDITION BETTER BOUND!!!!
Five stars PLUS! I have a new edition and it is very well bound - no need to worry about it falling apart! If you've ever been to Versailles this book will mist you up! If you're planning a return trip this book will be your bible... It is amazing how inexpensive this book is when you consider the spectacular colour photos.

Really deserves 10 stars! However, I must warn you...
This is THE BEST book there is on Versailles (which is probably why its normally a hundred bucks!) There is only one problem I have ever had with the book and that is the poor physical quality. I had to order it twice because my first copy fell completely apart within a few weeks. Needless to say I was not happy at all when that happened. Every copy that I have seen (in libraries, other bookstores) has the same problem. Normally, I would not have tried again after that, but I HAD to have this book. My second one has also begun to separate from the binding, so I rarely read it... but when I do, I use **EXTREME** care. I think the main reason for this is the size and weight of the book, so if you decide to purchase it, keep that in mind. I recommend turning the pages *slowly* and not leaving it completely flat and/or open for any long period of time. Also, store it horizontally, NOT vertically... the pages are so heavy, they will end up tearing themselves out! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 17th century    2. Architecture    3. Chateau de Versailles (Versai    4. Classicism in art    5. France    6. Gardens    7. History    8. Interior decoration    9. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    10. Reference    11. Versailles    12. Art patronage    13. Louis    14. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Reviews (9)

Residential Lighting - A Practical Guide
This is an excellent practical and technical book for learning about and designing lighting for a home. It's aimed at the professional, which I appreciate as an intern architect. Part of my job is to design sophisticated lighting schemes for custom homes, which takes a lot of experience and knowledge. This book has really helped me to pinpoint the different kinds of lighting needed for each space and how to place it and specify it in a professional way for the greatest effect. Most architects take years to learn this, but I'm getting a crash course by having this resource. It's not a fluffy coffee table book, it's a technical manual that teaches HOW to properly understand and design lighting for a residence. I highly recommend it.

Excellent Resource
This is the best book that I have seen on the topic.The practical advice is well balanced with technical information.A must-have for any Designer's Resouce Library.

Lighting secrets revealed!
As a designer, I can't say enough good things about Randall Whitehead's Residential Lighting, A Practical Guide. This is his follow up to his wonderful Lighting Up! A Practical Guide which has been a staple of the design community for seven years. All the best parts of the earlier book have been retained with the addition of more than 200 photos in both color and black & white.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decorating    3. Decoration & Ornament    4. Dwellings    5. Interior Design - General    6. Lighting    7. Architectural structure & design    8. Architecture / Interior Design    9. Heating, lighting, ventilation    10. Housing & property for the individual    11. Interior design   

Subjects:  1. Architectural & Industrial    2. Architecture    3. City planning    4. History - General    5. New York    6. New York (State)    7. Planning    8. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    9. U.S. Architecture - General    10. Urban renewal    11. Architecture / Planning   

Reviews (10)

Useful and interesting - STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
Despite the intimidating name and size of this tome, I found it fascinating to read. It covers everything from light bulb selection to rooftop chiller maintenance. The depth and breath of coverage is amazing.
Superlative! A must have!
Superlative! �The ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANUAL by Donald Wulfinghoff is a "must have" for professionals, libraries, facility managers, policy makers, homeowners, and anyone else who is serious about saving energy and cashing in on lower energy bills.It is the ultimate energy saving resource for businesses, industry, and government.PLUS, it will save money and reduce pollution, satisfying corporate bottom lines, policy makers, and environmentalists all at the same time.This book is unique.Highly informative, illustration-rich, and user-friendly, it is treasure trove of everything you need to know about energy efficiency from A to Z. Don't bother looking elsewhere --the ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANUAL simply has it all.This book will pay for itself almost as fast as you can spot a hot air leak or install an energy-efficient light bulb! A secret weapon for the energy auditor
As an energy auditor I'd almost call the Energy Efficiency Manual a secret weapon, except it has so many good ideas that I can't help but show it to many of the customers and prospective customers I meet. The diagrams are very useful, as is the self contained but well cross-referenced way in which each improvement measure has been written. For example, talking to the maintenance manager of a hospital, we looked at the diagrams of hot/cold deck multi-zone systems while discussing the pros and cons of upgrading a constant volume air conditioning system to a variable volume system. It is by far the most useful book on energy management that I have ever read (well, in the case of the Energy Efficiency Manual, that I have partially read - its an enormously large book!), and the ratings of each of the measures are particularly useful, along with the practical, no-nonsense approach. The book is extremely well cross referenced and Wulfinghoff has covered an enormous body of knowledge in writing the book. As someone fairly new to the field I'm grateful that he went to the effort of documenting and making available his knowledge and 30 odd years experience in the Energy Efficiency Manual. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Construction - Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning    3. Energy Resources Conservation    4. Energy conservation    5. Energy consumption    6. Engineering - Civil    7. Engineering - Mechanical    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. House & Home / Design & Construction    10. Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection    11. Production & Operations Management    12. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    13. Science/Mathematics    14. Technology    15. Technology & Industrial Arts    16. Architecture    17. Building construction & materials    18. Construction    19. Environment    20. Industry & Industrial Studies    21. The Environment   

Editorial Review

Marc Vassallo's Read more

Reviews (2)

An easy recipe for easy living
Vassallo puts into words the kind of home we all want: casual, bright, a place that feels good to call home. The BFH introduces the idea of the easy feeling you get when you're away on a summer vacation, renting a cabin in the woods or a house on the beach. The book provides the recipe for maintaining this feeling year-round, not just one or two weeks a year but every day in your own house.

A lavishly photographed interior design and decorating guide
The Barefoot Home: Dressed-Down Design For Casual Living is a lavishly photographed interior design and decorating guide, with an eye for the laid-back lifestyle. Emphasis on openness, lack of clutter, serenity, ventilation, and ease distinguish these suggestions for everything from kitchens to studios to bedroom. Full-color photographs on every page, diagrams, and extensive writing not only about specific suggestions but also general themes to promote a relaxed atmosphere fill The Barefoot Home cover-to-cover. The perfect interior design antidote to the pressures and stresses of a fast-paced world, The Barefoot Home is written in a tone akin to its subject matter - easygoing and thoroughly accessible to amateur and professional designers alike. Very highly recommended and informative reading.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture, Domestic    2. Decorating - General    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Domestic    5. General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Interior architecture    11. Psychological aspects    12. Residential Buildings Architecture    13. Room layout (Dwellings)    14. House & Home / General   

Reviews (8)

Good book
Doesn't give a detailed analysis of anything, but is a great tool for people wanting a basic understanding of green building, energy efficient techniques, etc.

Beautiful, but....
This book no doubt makes a lovely addition to my coffee table. I feel so inspired and now.. how do I do it?? I was looking for more practical advice that addressed all my reasons for wanting to remodel green - protecting my family's health and our planet's natural resources and my financial savings. If the intention was to create a stunning, inspiring book - great job. If it was to really explain what green is and exactly how to do it, I think I'd look to books like "Green Remodeling" by Johnston and Master or read Environmental Building News....

Real Homes that Make a Difference
"A recent poll revealed that an astounding 96% of consumers are willing to pay more for green features in a home, and 91% feel that energy-efficient features in a new home were extremely or very important." Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Design & Drafting    4. Domestic    5. Ecological houses    6. Environmental aspects    7. Interior Design - General    8. Methods & Materials    9. House & Home / General    10. Housing & property for the individual    11. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (1)

A Must Read
With 27 years of restaurant experience I know the importance of design to the success of a restaurant. What is often overlooked, however, is that the kitchen and dining spaces have to work together. The authors of Successful Restaurant Design are the first to point out the importance of a holistic approach to restaurant design. Their insights into the design process are a must read for anyone planning a new restaurant or renovating an existing facility. The chapter of interviews offers readers design tips from leading designers and restaurateurs. And the case studies offer a straighforward way of understanding simple solutions to complex issues. This book belongs in the library of every restaurateur and designer interested in keeping up with front and back of the house design. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art    3. Commercial Interior Design    4. Design and construction    5. Interior Design - General    6. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    7. Restaurants    8. Architecture / Interior Design    9. Hotel & catering trades    10. Interior design    11. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Reviews (7)

MASTER ARCHITECT
This is the benchmark when it comes to books on homes of Frank Lloyd Wright.The text is scholarly and highly informative, while being easily accessable to even the most nyophite Wright follower.The images are crisp and well executed, they just bleed off the page.I have not always been a huge fan of Wright, frankly he was a racist homophobe, interesting considering most of his devotees at Taliesin where gay, and the man had a voratious ego that would make The Donald blush.He was by all accounts just a nasty piece of work, and I at first found his architecture to be austere and cold, but now i am a huge admiror of his work, if not the man.This book shows in vivid focus, what makes his homes so unique and what made him an American Icon.I may not think much of Wright the man, but his work is for the ages and this book is simply fantastic.Highly recommended.

Must have for Wright fans
If you have already read the other reviews you know how good this book is. I wish they had this available when I first started getting interested in Frank Lloyd Wright back in college. All they had then were the dingy, dark, older pictures that really didn't convey just how great some of Mr. Wright's houses were. These new pictures really show how much genius he had in design. What is even more apparant when you see some of these new pictures is just how much mastery he had for setting up a home with natural light. Simply put, if you have the money and are even a casual fan, you should just treat yourself and get the book.

Frank Lloyd Wright - The Houses
I think this is not only a beautiful book but an excellent reference source for anyone who is interested in F. L. Wright's dynamic works.I have just one complaint:why did they NOT identify the front and back inside cover photographs of the Lykes House in Phoenix--everything else was carefully listed in the credits.If one didn't know, he/she would have to dig through the entire book to find which house was important enough to show so prominently but not enough for credits where other houses with just one picture were listed.This is indeed an omission that should be corrected on later editions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Individual Architect    3. Individual Architects Of The 20th Century    4. Residential Buildings Architecture    5. Architecture / Individual Architect   

Reviews (4)

Disappointing
I eagerly anticipated this book, since there is so little published information on the subject, but I was disappointed when it finally arrived.It appears that it was never proofread.I read a lot, and this is the worst job of editing/proofreading I have ever seen in a book.This may sound like nitpicking, but there were places where I could not figure out what information the author was trying to convey it was so garbled.It is FULL of typos, grammatical errors, and garbled sentences.
A wealth of insights and tips on how to construct - and maintain - a natural garden pool
NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS: INSPIRATION FOR HARMONY WITH NATURE offers a wealth of insights and tips on how to construct - and maintain - a natural garden pool. Surprisingly they are less costly to maintain than traditional chemical pools, save on water, and beautify a garden area more than less ecological offerings. Full-page color photos throughout illustrate such pools, surveying a range of designs and options and discussing biological conditioning, ecology, regeneration zones, and construction choice alike. It's the multitude of options and in-depth coverage on these options, paired with the color photo coverage, which makes NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS an extraordinary survey.
Long overdue book on an overdue topic
I have been keenly interested in the topic of natural swimming pools for about 5 years, but have been frustrated by the lack of information in English on the topic (there are several books in German - the homeland of the concept - but only a single manual in English).
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. House & Home    4. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    5. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    6. Swimming pools    7. Water gardens, pools   

Reviews (10)

Targeted Primarily for Persons Doing Commercial Interior Design Projects
I already own AIA's Architectural Graphics Standards for Residential Construction, which is an excellent reference book for use in designing, planning, and building a new house or remodeling an existing one. Wanting more information for interior design of a house, I reviewed a copy of this book at the library. The book is primarily targeted to those persons doing interior design work on commercial projects. If you're looking for interior design help for a house, I would recommend buying AIA's Architectural Graphics Standards for Residential Construction to use as a reference and look for other books targeted specifically at residential interior design.

A good handbook for interior details!
The day I received the Interior Graphic Standards, I used some of the details in the book for a project I was working on. This book provides information, including construction details, which are very useful to the practicing architect and interior designer.

Bible of Interior Design~!
I'm an Interior Design student at Ryerson University in Toronto, and I have never seen a book that is as comprehensive as the IGS.It covers almost everything. I've used this book as a reference for almost every school project I've done. My professor strongly recommended this book to us, but at first I was hesitated to buy it because of the price.However I found it cheaper to buy online than in retail bookstores.I told my classmates about it and showed them the book, after they've seen it they said they are all gonna buy it. Overall this book is worth its price and I strongly recommend it~! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Interior Design    2. Reference    3. Interior Design - General    4. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    5. Architecture / Reference    6. Architecture    7. Architectural Detail    8. Building    9. Details    10. Drawings    11. Standards   

Reviews (6)

Inspirational architecture
What a wonderful book.You must check this out if you care about architecture and the environment.

Soon to be dog-eared
I'm three quarters of the way reading this book from cover to cover - only the second architecture book I've finished all the way through. The first 'Good deeds, good design' (ed. Bryan Bell) is very similar in its exploration of sustainable innovative design. I've been waiting awhile for something as inspirational as that book, and 'Design Like You Give A Damn' doesn't disappoint.
An encyclopedia of inspiration
To echo what some of the other reviewers have written, this book is really marvelous inspiration. It describes a series of projects, most built, that are mostly low tech, low cost, people-centered. It is mainly architecture (buildings), buthighlights a few projects that fall more into the 'appropriate tech' catagory: pumps, water carriers, solar stills, bush toilets...
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    3. Criticism    4. Design & Drafting    5. History - General    6. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings   

Subjects:  1. Architecture / Planning    2. Business & Economics / Real Estate    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Real Estate - General    6. Architecture    7. Residential Construction    8. Urban & Land Use Planning    9. Urban Planning    10. Urbanization