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 (9)

Guide for construction
Every engineer must have one copy of this book.This is an updated edition of the previous ones.Very detailed description and pictures about construction.

Good book
It's relatively well written and good for starter who are new to building construction.

Surpassed expectations
Being a student in Construction Management Edward Allen's book was assigned as our text book. The course entitled materials and methods is intended to teach future construction manajors about the wide variety of materials on the market today as well as tradional methods of constructing with these materials.Read more

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Building Construction    3. Building materials    4. Construction - General    5. Methods & Materials    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Architecture / Methods & Materials    9. Building construction & materials   

Reviews (2)

Couldn't wait to read it!
I'm a big fan of Alain de Botton's writing, so when I saw that his newest book, "The Architecture of Happiness" would not be released in the US until October 2006, I ordered it directly from Amazon.uk. I read it in two or three days and was not disappointed. Botton has a great way of connecting the writings and thoughts of the great minds of world civilization to everyday human experiences. In this case, to the kinds of buildings (public and private) we build or aspire to build, or conversely, tolerate and settle for. The book is amply illustrated. As nice as these photographs and illustrations are, Botton's writing is so precise and illustrative in its own right that the illustrations are not always necessary.
Erudite, colorful, delightful!
[Notabene: this is a review of the Dutch translation of this book.] I have read only one book by Alain de Botton so far, namely his eminently readable but highly imaginative and evocative 'The Art of Travel'. I was so enamoured by that particular book, that I highly anticipated his 'The Architecture of Happiness', and bought it without any doubts as what to expect (and so should anyone else who loved his 'The Art of Travel, I believe ;-)
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Subjects:  1. Aesthetics    2. Architecture    3. Architecture and society    4. Criticism    5. General    6. Psychological aspects    7. Architecture / Criticism   

Reviews (1)

A must have for all leaders
Updated for the current workforce with new tips and strategies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. General   

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   

Reviews (6)

Read before you practice
I have practiced interior design for over 20 years and still found this book to be invaluable.The information about legal ramifications and insurance coverage was enlightening but also sobering.It's a must read for any design firm principal or freelance designer.

Get It!
This book reads like a friend whispering all the good advice and secrets of the interior design business in your ear. I wish my Professional Practices class had used this text.It's a lot of information but Christine Piotrowski truly takes you by the hand and lets you know what you need to prepare for in a budding interior design business as well as how the interior design business is done in general.I will be referencing this book again and again.A huge thank you and bravo to Christine Piotrowski

Must Have!
This book was used for both Business Practice For Interior Design & Sales and Marketing. I had no need to consult any other source. "This is a great book"THANKS.. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design services    3. General    4. Interior Design    5. Interior Design - General    6. Interior Design - Professional Reference    7. Interior decoration    8. Interior decoration firms    9. Management    10. Marketing    11. Practice    12. United States    13. Architecture / Interior Design    14. Business & Management   

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   

Reviews (9)

Hyper-glorified and shallow
If you're tempted to buy this hugely expensive book (for an over-sized, unwieldy paperback printed on medium-quality paper), think again.
excellent primer on design
We used this as a textbook in an "interdisciplinary approach" course at a photography school.The organization of the book and the illustrations are excellent.Much of the information seemed familiar to us all, but we found the book to be an excellent reminder and good focus for discussion.It helped us with our critiquing of each others' work in a variety of media (sculpture, drawing, painting, collage, photography and writing).

An absolute classic for anyone working in the visual arts.
Back in college, two decades ago, one of my art professors required this book for every single one of his classes. He even offered to personally repay students who could not afford to keep their copy, if they promised not to sell it back to the bookstore. He told us that the best thing we could do for our careers in art was to keep this book. He was right. I've had my 2nd edition copy for twenty years, and no other book I've seen discusses visual theory so simply, logically and completely. The text is clear and straightforward and the examples are perfect, but it is Lauer's ability to organize a very complex subject into very specific, clearly-understood categories that makes this book remarkable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design    4. Design - General    5. Architectural structure & design    6. Art / General   

Reviews (3)

Not Good Introductory Textbook Material
This is a required book for an introductory lighting class I'm taking.Since we are solely relying on this book and it isn't supplemented with lecture material, I find that, without familiarity with lighting terminology and concepts, it is very difficult to understand -- very cryptic with the seemingly overused language of the field.While the author may be very knowledgeable, I feel the book is not very well written and the target audience is, perhaps, not intended to be, essentially, the layman.I don't find the organization of ideas and concepts to be clearly laid out or communicated well and, as they unfold, and I come to understand what the author is trying to say,wonder why it was made so difficult -- is that all he means, geesh and why didn't he tell me that earlier.It would be easier to understand the general concept of things first, even in plain English perhaps, and then go on to a more technical description to learn the language of the field and get the details.Just seems to make simple things very complicated, especially with the language, flow of ideas, and phrasing.
Great teacher
While I was studying Interior Design at Parsons a number of years ago, I had Gary Gordon as a Lighting Design Instructor.He was by far one the best teachers that I had.He is very knowledgeable and has the unique ability to easily communicate the many aspects of both design and lighting. I highly recommend any publication he has authored.

Very good book for novices.
The book begins with an inspirational and somewhat simplistic insight into lighting design.Simply as a study of lighting contrasts.While this is a very important aspect of LD,it is by far one of many concepts a professional must use.The book refers to many technical aspects of lighting without giving any "meat" or more in depth information,which I would have enjoyed.If you are new to LD or are an architect or engineer who has little experience with lighting,it is a very good lauching point.If you are technically knowledgable about lighting and want some inspiration,read chapter 1 and the last chapter on Design for concepts ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Detail    2. Architectural Lighting    3. Architecture    4. Electric lighting    5. Engineering - Mechanical    6. Interior Design - General    7. Interior Design - Lighting    8. Lighting, Architectural and de    9. Lighting, Architectural and decorative    10. Architecture / Interior Design    11. Interior design   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. General    3. Individual Architect    4. Individual architects    5. USA   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building    3. Construction - General    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Methods & Materials    6. Professional Practice    7. Standards    8. Architecture / Professional Practice    9. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    10. Management & management techniques   

Reviews (30)

review
This book has many excellent details in obscure construction situations.Some are a bit better in theory than practice; however this book will make an excellent companion when in a pinch and lacking creativity.For the most part the book describes better practice (check local codes before taking it as gospel) for say a designer or general contractor not entirely sure or alien to specific methods of contractors or subcontractors.Don't expect a book to read from cover to cover but a quick reference.

Great Series
I found this series of books to be very well written and drawn.What is great is that they present several different ways to accomplish a task, instead of limiting you to one conventional method.The writing is very clearly written, and I own and recommend all three books in these series.Excellent reference.

Graphic Guide to Frame Construction
Start at the beginning... The spiral metal binding is great, a real manual, easy to keep page being referenced open infront of you. Graphically the pages are consistent in their layout and composition so that the important information is easily seen. Not like many references where drawings,details and notes from different sources are obviously pasted into pages. It reminds me of the famous Architectural Sheet Metal manual published by SMACNA, that is a part in nearly every architect's reference library.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction - Carpentry    3. Design & Construction    4. Design and construction    5. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    6. Drawings    7. Framing (Building)    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. House & Home    10. Wooden-frame buildings    11. Building construction & materials    12. House & Home / Reference    13. Woodworking   

Reviews (2)

Extremely valuable tool
"Land Development Calculations" provides an excellent and innovative strategy for working towards sustainable land use and development.The models for varying land development strategies can assist local government land use decision makers and planners as well as developers determine the carrying capacity of land within realistic thresholds.The accompanying spreadsheets for the development scenarios on the CD-ROM are extremely user friendly and do not place an undue burden on the user by requiring what may be hard to find or to collect data.All of the data required just is typical of what is necessary to make appropriate land development decisions.As a local government planner, I am working towards incorporating the information received from the models in to the zoning and development code as part of the approval process by using it to further assess suitability of the property for the purposes proposed (a zoning consideration required in accordance with the State of Georgia Zoning Procedures Act).I strongly encourage other land planners and developers to read "Land Development Calculations," because of its highly practical and very timely material.

Author Delivers Valuable Techniques and Tools
This is a terrificaly valuable technical reference for practitioners who need an efficient method of performing land development calulations. The book and its companion set of spreadsheets enable users to answer two key questions: 1) how much can be built on a given piece of land; or 2) how much land is needed to accommodate a given use? The material is clearly written and well illustrated, especially a series of worksheets leading through the method. Another strength is its comprehensiveness and detail, including all major land-use and micro site conditions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Land use    3. Mathematical models    4. Natural Resources    5. Planning    6. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    7. Real estate development    8. Reference    9. Architectural structure & design    10. Architecture / Methods & Materials    11. Structural engineering   

Reviews (7)

Steinway,a place, its people, the piano
Mr. Barron writes a great story.Other books have catalogued the Steinway history, and even how the piano works, but this innovative story adds life to what might otherwise be just an organized mass of metal and wood. The piano has a personality! In the narrative, the reader follows the construction of a single concert grand piano, but in the process we learn so much more by exploring many of the individuals involved in its building, the Steinway family and the workmen who lovingly bend the wood, glue the keys, and make the piano sing. Mr. Barron has not only written a great history of Steinway and the pianos they build, but created a fascinating story of its people. Its a great read for even the non-piano lovers among us. I couldn't put it down from start to finish. (The schematic drawings in the back - the new and the old, are particularly fascinating!)

PIANO OR PEOPLE
While I enjoyed this book, it is really much more about people than pianos, and the "common man" at that.Picturesque as they might be,many details about the workers' personal lives could have been spared.For those of us who play pianos but have never taken one apart, a labeled schematic would have been very helpful in understanding the text.

The Piano as a Person
My husband and I enjoyed this book greatly and have found others have enjoyed it as much, if not more.10 days ago as I lay in Intensive Care I ended up discussing the book with the fellow in the Intensive Care bed next to mine.I doubt either of us will ever again find a book that let us take our minds off our intensive pains for that half hour disucssion.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction    3. History    4. History & Criticism - General    5. Methods & Materials    6. Music/Songbooks    7. Musical Instruments - Construction And Repair    8. Musical Instruments - Piano    9. New York    10. New York (State)    11. Piano makers    12. Steinway piano    13. United States - State & Local - Middle Atlantic    14. Performing Arts / General   

Reviews (5)

amazing resource!
WOW! beautifully organized and articulated. thoughtful and well-rounded discussion of the variation and evolution of interior design. it was purchased to use as a course resource (on 20th century American consumer culture), but am now tempted to buy my OWN copy.

Usefull For designers
It's a very interesting book, it offers a vew over design from ancient times to ower days. We can follow the developement of design over time. The book is recomended especialy for professional designers.

A History of Interior Design
I really do enjoy the book except that on some important topics in the class I am taking with this book there is little information. Nonetheless on the topics it greatly expands upon the book shows impressive and accurate knowledge. The pictures also aid in examples and are for the msot part the best picture examples that any book could offer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decoration & Ornament    3. History    4. Interior Design    5. Interior Design - General    6. Interior architecture    7. Interior decoration    8. Architecture / Interior Design    9. History of specific subjects   

Reviews (6)

Usefulness
As a practicing L.A., I have bought several McGraw-Hill Construction Books.I get a similar result each time:They seem on first look to fulfill the promise, but I found they don't well serve the need in real life.I get far better use out of Architectural Graphic Standards, and I'm looking forward to Wiley's Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards.

buy the book, forget the CD-ROM version
I've got the book and was hoping the CD-ROM would enhance using the book, but it doesn't.The content is very slim compared to the book, and the CAD drawings that are included are also of very limited use.Don't bother with the CD-ROM version of TSSLA.

This book is a must!!!!
A great book to have. It was a required text for my site technology classes. Kept referring to it. Lots of information. It should be on everyone's bookcase if you're a Landscape Architect student or already in the profession. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building    3. Construction industry    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Landscape    6. Landscape Architecture And Design    7. Landscape architecture    8. Standards    9. Architecture / Landscape    10. Landscape art & architecture    11. Reference works   

Reviews (22)

History of Graphic Design
The book is in wonderful condition and is filled with very interesting material.

The Man Behind the book
I was one of Philip Meggs students at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Our class was the first to use the first edition of this book as a classroom textbook for his History of Graphic Design class. He was a wonderful storyteller, with a true passion for graphic design. And more than that was the obvious joy he had in sharing that knowledge and whimsical annecdotes in his own style of humor. Philip Meggs was an exceptional man that will truly be missed.

Borrow
Borrow this book from a friend in class and photocopy the pages, thats my advice.Good book, just over priced. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Book design    4. Design & Drafting    5. Graphic Arts - General    6. Graphic design (Typography)    7. History    8. History - General    9. Typography    10. Architecture / Design & Drafting    11. Graphic design    12. History of specific subjects   

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 (4)

Weighty tome shows how engineering intersects architecture
This almost 1800 page treatise on mechanical and electrical design as it relates to architecture is one of a kind. It is not an artistic book on the subject, although some artistic ability is always needed in any aspect of building design. Instead it is a very technical book that shows how the architect must be part electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, electrician, physicist, plumber, safety specialist, and transportation engineer in order to design the modern building. And to top it all off, you need to be knowledgable of current mechanical and electrical equipment - their specifications and their costs.
Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings
Excellent. The best book I have seen on the subject.

An Invaluable Reference Source
That a book has gone through ten editions says something about the acceptance of that book. In the case of this book, it says that this is basically the Bible of the subject, after all it's been around since the first edition in 1935. And it's subject is basically everything not covered by the structure of the building. This includes heating, cooling, electricity, lighting, water, plumbing fixtures, even acoustics, fire protection, and for bigger buildings such things as burglar alarms, elevators and moving stairways, and more.
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Subjects:  1. Buildings    2. Design & Drafting    3. Do-It-Yourself - Plumbing    4. Electric equipment    5. Engineering - Mechanical    6. Environmental engineering    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Mechanical equipment    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Technology    11. Architecture    12. Architecture / Design & Drafting