Book Description

Updated for the newest releases of Autodesk's market -leading computer-aided design products, AutoCAD X and AutoCAD X LT, this book provides a thorough introduction to the essentials by using step-by-step instructions and hands-on projects. By the end of the book you will have designed a complete summer cabin. Information is also geared toward the interests of mechanical and civil engineers. You will enjoy the concise explanations and examples of vital features and tools without a lot of unnecessary discussion. Written for AutoCAD novices, it will prepare you to delve into the more advanced topics and projects covered in George Omura's Mastering AutoCAD. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perfect for the CAD beginner
Having had no experience with CAD, I was looking for a book that would begin at the beginning. This book is it. You'll start by drawing 4 straight lines that will become the outside walls of a small cabin. Then in each chapter, you will slowly add interior walls, doors, cabinets, etc... You'll learn the CAD commands one at a time as you complete the cabin plans. Well written and easily understood, this book is just what I was looking for.

No Experience Required - REALLY!
AutoCAD is a huge, complex program that does more things than you can imagine. No one person would ever use all of it. Cad has a very steep learning curve.But this book simplifles it very well. It takes everything step by step. I have used two other Cad programs and was able to skip the very basics and go to the nuts and bolts. But if you have nothing more than a desire to learn AutoCAD this book is understandable and easy to follow. You will be drawing things within the hour. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

The Great Buildings Collection on CD-ROM documents over 750 buildings and 400 leading architects from around the world and across history, with more than 2200 photographic images and over 2500 architectural drawings, plus commentaries, bibliographies, dozens of digital video clips, and more than 300 live 3D walkthrough computer models (software included).For Windows 95/98/NT and Power Macintosh. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Not so Great Building documentation
Dont't buy this book unless you are looking for low resolution images and minimal information. Is a start as a building index but you're better off with a good book. Expensive and I regret my purchase.

ONE OF THE MOST USEFUL BOOKS
if you are interested in architecture, this is a great book for you, at least it is something that you would go back to from time to time.
for architecture students, this book is a must. enough said. :)

(...)

Touring Europe without leaving home
I recently returned from Europe, and wanting to revisit some of the buildings I'd seen, I turned to Great Buildings Collection. I was able to view the buildings, and in some cases even walk through them at my leisure (no tourists in my way!) This is a "one of a kind" CD that enables the user to browse through centuries of great architecture without ever leaving home. I'm especially impressed by the numerous ways in which one can browse: by architect, country, city, and other cross references. Anyone with an interest in architecture would enjoy finding this CD in their christmas stocking.

I've also visited the GreatBuildings.com website, where you can see hundreds of the buildings free of charge, but it's even better having it on the CD , because there are thousands more images, and you're not slowed down by the modem.

SOURCES ON THERMAE OF CARACALLA
the name of book is sources on thermae of carcalla ... Read more

Book Description

With a little imagination and creativity--and without hiring a professional--almost anyone can transform a small living space into a comfortable and stylish environment. Whether decorating a dorm room, an apartment, or a little cottage, what we strive for is a look and feel that expresses our individual personalities. Part style guide, part idea sourcebook, this handy volume--designed to meet the needs of real people with real budgets--is packed with smart ideas, basic design principles, and enough inspiration to get you off the sofa to make it happen.

In her lively, informative text, design guru Marisa Bartolucci takes readers inside 33 small homes from cities across the U.S. to reveal how a strong sense of style--rather than design know-how or unlimited resources--is the most effective tool for transforming an ordinary cramped living space into a smart yet functional private sanctuary. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Really Good Start!
I am enjoying this book immensely, unlike the four to five others I've picked up on this subject.

The apartments featured are very realistic - none of that "image expanding" so popular in decorating magazines like METROPOLITAN HOME or DWELL. Tiny spaces do indeed look their size - and that is a GOOD thing! It means we're not being sold a bill of goods by having the eye tricked with photography.

I appreciate the very quirky nature of the design of each of these highly individualized spaces. I appreciate even more the fact that they are grouped by square footage and start at the walk in closet size!

There are many many highly usable and accessible decorating ideas on these pages.

The one fault of this book (and it's a minor one but worth mentioning): very many of the people profiled in the pages use their very small spaces as tricked out 'hotel rooms' rather than full time living quarters. This might not seem to matter until you realize one gentleman rehabbed his kitchen but didn't include an oven of any kind. How many of us can live like that full time? Several people have their places done up as glorified bedrooms w/ the beds on full time display. One or two others have complicated Murphey beds, one on pulleys from the ceiling. While fairly commonplace in New York proper these beds are expensive to duplicate almost anywhere else in the country and are key to several decorating schemes.

Other than these few problems I would highly recommend this book to anyone to learn some ingenius ways of solving small or quirky or differently arranged space problems!

A Solace for Those of Us Living in Teeny-Weeny Places
I recently moved into a <600-sf house with my husband and 33-lb dog. My decorating skills are very minimal, and I end up doing most of my shopping at IKEA. And so it was a pleasant surprise to find this book, which I came across while browsing in the interior design section of a bookstore.

Of course, I had to force myself to pull it out and look at it, since I've been so immensely disappointed by almost all of the books on the subjects of "small" spaces (probably because most of these books define small as 1,000 to 1,999 sf) and since I'm interested in more than just pretty pictures.

Lo and behold, this book, which is largely wonderfully detailed photos of real people's real small spaces (including a 100-sf dorm room and 2 couples with babies living in less than 500 sf), is inspiring in the most practical sense of the word. It's reassuring just to know that other people in the universe reside in sub-1000-sf quarters.

While it is true that many of the featured small-space livers are artists/designers of some sort, with skills that the average Jane doesn't have, I see it less as a book whose ideas you'd want to copy and more of a book whose ideas you'd want to emulate, and I quickly found several good ideas I could apply to my own spaces. Plus, I'm not even half-done just going through it and absorbing the minutiae of each photo and each apartment.

The best part(s)? No fancy-schmancy lofts (with the exception of one converted factory space) and no excessive and gratuitous photos of Wolf ranges and Miele dishwashers.

I couldn't find it used, but I can't feel too much regret about buying it for full price.

Great for Useful Ideas
This may be the best book out there right now on dealing creatively with small spaces. Most of the others I have seen feature gorgeous Manhattan or European lofts, or are the homes of architects and designers. They are eye candy, but not much help.

This book is quite inspiring, however. It's unfortunately short on sources, giving only a brief list of featured designers at the back, but the pictures are clear and the little accounts that go with them are written by the people who actually live in the apartments and they offer some useful ideas. And when a book acknowledges that some of us do live in less than even 1,000 feet, that's a book that's operating on a level of reality I can appreciate, because I live in 544 feet. Some of the apartments in the book are much smaller. I finally feel a little validated.

Another thing I like about it is that it's not a coffee-table- book size: it's manageable to hold and look through, even standing up. It is organized by size, from smallest to largest.

Definitely worth a look.

Pretty and Informative, But Not a How-To
This book has lovely pictures and good information; but the problem I found with it is that it is not the how-to for living in small spaces that I was looking for.

Several of the homes are more art project than living space. I agree with a previous reviewer who noted that few of houses seemed inviting, comfortable, or very functionable for every-day life.

If you are a student, as I am, looking for a practicle guide to living in a small area, such as a dorm or first apartment, this book is of little use. If you have the time, money, ambition, and know-how to redesign your small living-space, this book may offer some good ideas.

Not very useful
The first problem with this book, is that the pages measure 6.5 by 8.5. making it feel like a small telephone directory. The photographs show portions of rooms that are simply too miniscule to appreciate; the context in which they are situated is not displayed. I found myself frowning a lot and feeling somewhat baffled.
Also, I question the relevence of including close-ups of flowers, or fruit, or a long blank wall with a tiny window at the end of it. It's very irritating. Also, most of these homes are apartments which feature ultra-contemporary furnishings - cupboards with no knobs, couches that look like surf boards, etc. Only a few of the homes could be described as cozy and inviting and they were the best pictures, in my opinion.
Ultimately, the smallness of the pictures ruined it for me - I hate having to squint at a photo. A better book is the New Decorating Book (2002, I believe) by Better Homes & Gardens. A true feast for the eyes. ... Read more

Book Description

Create dazzling color schemes for any indoor space. You'll quickly sharpen your color skills--and open the door to a more rewarding and profitable career with John F. Pile's Color in Interior Design. He takes the mystery out of working with color, showing you step-by-step how to plan color relationships in an organized and systematic way...prepare color schemes for interiors...make color charts...select materials...put together color samples...work with additive and subtractive color...understand the psychological impact of color...use color in functional spaces...and solve a wide range of practical color problems. This hands-on color design tool packs illustrations of the best color work by well-known professionals--plus a survery of color in historic interiors that will guideyou through restoration and adaptive reuse projects. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Basics of Color Design
I found this book to be extremely useful in learning the principles behind choosing color schemes. As with anything, application and practice will fine tune one's abilities, but C.i.I.D. proved to be an excellent resource guide. Highly recommended!

Extremely useful.
I'm a do-it-yourself homeowner, not a professional, but I found this book to be a great resource as I plan out my house. "Scientific" enough to let me understand why color combinations work as they do (and help me design my own schemes) while still completely clear to the lay person. If you're serious about understanding color, this is an extremely useful book. ... Read more

Book Description

Acclaimed furniture designer George Nakashima (1905-1990) made boldly original pieces prized for their superb craftsmanship and their organic use of the natural lines and grain of wood. Today his beautiful creations are avidly sought by private collectors and are housed in museum collections all over the world. This survey of Nakashima's life and work-written by his daughter, the noted designer Mira Nakashima-is the most revealing look we have ever had at this woodworking genius and his profound influence on contemporary design. Mira Nakashima chronicles not only the furniture designs for which her father was best known, but also his equally fine work as an architect. Illustrated with a wealth of photographs never before published and containing much new information from the Nakashima studio archives, Nature, Form, and Spirit is timed to coincide with the release of a full-length documentary film on Nakashima and an exhibition at the Mingei International Museum in San Diego. In exploring his personal and philosophic journey, Mira Nakashima provides a remarkable look at the development of an artist whose reverence for nature was at the heart of his creative work. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Japanese National Treasure
I attended an auction a few weeks ago and a fabulous 16 foot long George Nakashima bench from the Dana house in Chilmark, MA sold for $20, 000. This peaceful item intrigued me and I wanted to learn more about this modern master. Just in time to quench my curiosity, Nature, Form, and Spirit: Abrams published The Legacy of George Nakashima. Lavishly illustrated with archival photos of the family home, vintage catalogs, working drawings, plus new photos of classic pieces this oversized hardcover is a great addition to your library.

Written by his daughter Mira, Nature, Form, and Spirit showcases Nakashima's sparse strong furniture as well as his architecture. Vital, collectable, and contemporary Nakashima's furniture is memorable for its simple designs hewn from monumental pieces of wood. Represented in museum collections around the world Nakashima was declared a national treasure by the Japanese Emperor in 1983.

Although he is deceased, the Nakashima legacy continues as Mira Nakashima continues to produce her father's bold and original designs. If they are within budget check out http://www.nakashimawoodworker.com. If you can't afford a piece of this masters furniture then the next best thing is owning this gorgeous book. ... Read more

Book Description

This book provides complete coverage of 3D commands and concepts.Topics include working in 3D space, including coordinate systems; viewpoints and viewports; building wireframe models, surface models and solid models; paper space; and rendering.ALSO AVAILABLEINSTUCTOR SUPPLEMENTS CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE TO ORDERInstructor's Guide 2000,0-7668-1247-2 Keywords:AutoCAD 2000 ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great way to learn
I bought this book with little 3D experience, hoping it would help guide me. I work in a small company and I am the only CAD user, so there isn't any help in the next office. This book taught me how to use 3D drawings to produce prints in probably a third of the time it used to by drawing all three views. Plus, in our shop, isometric views are almost a must to understand many prints, which has reduced our production time greatly. I am fairly well versed now in 3D, but I still reference the book almost weekly.

I recommend this book to anyone who doesn't have time for courses and understands 2D construction.

BEST FOR 3D
MY AUTOCAD INSTRUCTOR, JOHN LARSON RATED TOP REFERENCE TEXT FOR 3D. HE ALSO STATED THAT THIS IS THE ONLY REFERENCE BOOK HE EVER BOUGHT IN HIS CAREER OF TEACHING. ... Read more

Book Description

Originating from Japan's Edo period (1615-1867), tansu refers mostly to wooden cabinets, boxes and chests. The gifted creators of this art were deservedly esteemed by Japanese society, leaving a rich and influential legacy. Their work was almost anonymous, though, and the history has remained in the shadows-until now. Japanese Cabinetry: The Art and Craft of Tansu is the first truly definitive volume on tansu, giving voice to the long-overlooked craftsmen and overdue respect for the craft itself. This book provides a broad representation of cabinetry designs along with contextual history, gleaning insights from the cabinetry itself. From trunks with wheels to shipboard safes, from kitchen cupboards to clothing chests, tansu were the receptacles of an age of economic expansion. Japanese Cabinetry chronicles not only the physical characteristics and details of tansu, but also the historical eras and societal factors that influenced the craft.

David Jackson has been buying, collecting, and conserving tansu since 1990. He lives in Sante Fe.

Dane Owen founded Shibui, a gallery of Japanese antique furnishings.Mr. Owen is a frequent visitor to Japan, searching for objects for his customers and his private collections. He lives in Sante Fe. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The cover alone should be enough to interest you
Not even sure where to begin other than to say that as mentioned above, the cover alone should be plenty to strike your interest. As a true lover and collector of Japanese art, this book goes above and beyond to show just exactly why it could be labeled as a "coffee table book". It has been on mine for weeks now. It is such a great sourcebook for Japanese cabinetry/tansu and goes even further to show pieces actually used for daily use in people's homes. The size of the book and the photography are SO worth the price. It truly is a fabulous book. I strongly recommend it. Whether you are an obsessed collector of Japanese art or not, it is definitely a great book to have in your collection.

I Recommend this book.
I have been dealing in these sort of things for some time , yes.The collection displayed here is of good quality and is quite a nice representation of what's available.A good book .

Excellent Reference Guide.
I have fortunately been able to read an advance copy of this book . The book is well researched with more relevant detail on wooden Japanese Furniture than all previous publications combined. I was able to identify and date several pieces in my collection , as well as find out that I had been misled by some Japanese dealers with regard to age and origin . Now it is much easier to identify Tansu in it's historical context . Who would have guessed that Politics played an important part in Tansu usage and design , or that streets became clogged with Tansu during emergencies , causing many more deaths and the rewriting of local laws . This book tells it all. ... Read more

Book Description

Clearly written and profusely illustrated, Patterns of Home brings the timeless lessons of residential design to homeowners who seek inspiration and direction in the design or remodel of their homes. Patterns of Home promises to become the "design bible" for homeowners and architects. The 10 patterns described in the book -- among them, "capturing light" and "the flow through rooms" -- are drawn from hundreds of principles and presented with clarity by the authors, renowned architects who have designed homes together for more than 30 years. Insightful tours of 33 homes also bring the essential design concepts to life. This book will jump-start the design process and make the difference between a home that satisfies material requirements -- and one that meets the personal needs of a home. "Patterns of Home gives us the tools to make our houses truly wonderful places to live." -- Sarah Susanka ... Read more

Reviews (18)

not as good as "a pattern language"
My husband and I disagreed on this book. He loved it, 10 easy steps with photos. This surprised me, because he's more analytical and I would have thought that he'd prefer the careful data presentation of "A pattern language". I realized that I like to do in-depth research and plan, he likes to see the actions and results. I much preferred Alexander's "A pattern language", and I found this book shallow and derivative. He liked the photos of the design principles being applied in "patterns of home", and he liked having architectural decree as to what design patterns were most important. He immediately grabbed onto a few concepts and started distorting a house plan we'd been working on for months and which we had both agreed upon . This design had already incorporated key design issues from Alexander's book. After viewing sprawling disjointed modern houses depicted in "Patterns of Home" he began pitching a house site we'd already rejected on our acreage simply because it allows sprawl. I regret ever showing him this book and I sincerely hope that it's effects wear off quickly.

Appropriate Design Thought Engine
The authors of this book have taken the best of Alexander's "A Pattern Language", and combined wonderfully designed and excellently photographed homes to publish an inspiring and thought provoking book. Frankly, the world has too many "500 House Plans" types of books. This one describes the logic, reason, and common sense that involves the interlocking of ten basic patterns that could make any basic design more successful. As a residential architect, I consider this among my five top-rated books.

Beautifully written, accessible, helpful
For those who may not have the patience to work through "A Pattern Language," this book distills the most important elements and illuminates key aspects with photographs. I found it helpful as a suplement to "A Pattern Language". I think these books will improve any design.

Not exactly what you hoped for.
Based on the 10 most important building patterns from the book "A Pattern Language", by Christopher Alexander (the book every architect should memorize) your expectations just don't seem to get met with this book. There are lots of good photos and lots of well designed houses, but you keep waiting for something to pop out at you when you are reading it, but it just doesn't happen. When reading the book "A Pattern Language" the small simple illustrations let your imagination flow, whereas in this book, the photo's of finished homes seem to shut off your own creative juices. Also the homes are mostly all huge and expensive. Good for architects designing mansions, but making you wonder how the patterns would have looked in a smaller home.

Since not everyone thinks alike, I am sure some people will get allot more out of this book than I have. And if this is your type of book then I think "The Not So Big House" series of books by "Sara Susanka are much better. Also if you have not read "A Pattern Language", by Christopher Alexander please do before you read any other architecture books.

Glossy Photos Replace Substance of "A Pattern Language"
Skip this book. Instead get "A Pattern Language" which is the quintessential work of Christopher Alexander. Alexander is the real genius behind the "Patterns" of this book. There is almost nothing new in this book "Patterns of Home."

In the late 1960's and 1970's Alexander and his group (including two of these authors), formed the Institute of Environmental Structure in Berkeley, California. Alexander was clearly the spiritual and intellectual leader of this effort. "A Pattern Language" is a compilation of that thorough effort. Alexander et al's book remains the most important treatise ever on the subject of Architecture. It disseminates a clear and concise identification of basic patterns that make a house a home, for example, pattern 115 of 253 - Courtyards that Live. In addition, "A Pattern Language" is written for us, in the hope that "we the people" can use the patterns to guide the development of wonderful homes and communities. Alexander's book is accessible to all of us.

These co-author's of Alexander's great book include two of the authors of "Patterns of Home." These guys are sidekicks and it shows. For example, in the forward to this book, they acknowledge working on this book part-time while engaging in a full-time architectural practice. They didn't put a life-force effort into this book, although it appears the photographers did. The illustrations and photographs are almost exclusively of high end giant homes in the price range of $300 to $500 and up per square foot! The vast majority of people do and will live in homes built to a budget of $100 psf or less. In short, this is a picture book for coffee tables that shows what an architect can do with an open-ended budget.

I think I was dissapointed most with narrow scope of the photographs. As with another reviewer, I noted that the authors showed the patterns exclusively in new, contemporary, upscale California style homes, neglecting better illustrations of the essential patterns that can be easily found in other styles of homes, in older homes, or in homes from other areas of the world.

Although I don't believe the author's intended, but this book is an elitist book for dreamers. The homes shown in this book are accessible to a tiny minority of ultra-rich people. If you, the reader, prefer picture type books, you're better off with Sara Susanka's "The Not So Big House" and others of her series. Her design approach is more accessible to a larger segment of the population. Best of all though, try "A Pattern Language" a truly wonderful book accessible to all of us. It will forever improve you architectural mindset.

Regards, Steve ... Read more

Book Description

Understanding the elements of two-dimensional design and the infinite options available in organizing choices made are at the core of this book. Wong surveys all concepts of forms and structures, covering most situations in two-dimensional composition, formal or informal. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

very good little handbook, but really ugly
This book is full of information, and is really well laid out. I use it frequently in the 2D class I teach, along with two other 2D design books. I like the clarity and the examples. However, there's no getting away from the fact that although this book is loaded with great stuff, that it is also as ugly and cheesy looking as a bad Xerox. That might be okay for a math book, but ummmmm, 2D design?

A tiny gem
A romp through the construction of visual form and pattern. This book is subtle yet deep. Although the example designs are not exquisitely rendered (but rather student projects), the principles that Wong exposes should be part of any designers knowledge base. ... Read more

Book Description

An update of the award-winning CD that lets designers actually use the details of building materials, components, and systems from Architectural Graphic Standards in real working CAD drawings. It also provides links with industry Web sites, letting users quickly track down crucial information such as material specifications, industry databases, and references. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Don't waste your money on the AGS CD-ROM. Get the book.
Why bother with the CD when the book is such a pleasure to use?

The BOOK rates SIX STARS. The CD rates NO STARS. Get the book for half or a third the price of the CD. It's worth it.

The cd contains many raster scans of tables from the book and links to commentary that you can find elsewhere in greater detail. The links to industry aren't anything special, considering you can find them many other places for free. The interface is clunky, and hard to read. Access to the data is read-only off the CD rather than allowing you to load it and access it from the hard drive. The vector CAD drawings are simplified and generic - suitable for instruction, but certainly not for real work. You won't save any time trying to use them for anything but reference, so why bother? This CD is worth 1% of its list price and should just come with the book at no cost. Don't be taken in by the hype.

Great begin for drawing
The figures of this book are very useful for details in professional drawings. On the other hand, it gives simple ideas to solve common problems on construction. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by two leading experts in the field this essential volume offers a step-by-step guide to understanding and evaluating the goals, risks and the rewards of starting a firm.
* Covers the basics of firm organisation, personnel requirements, legal considerations, fee setting, marketing issues and the essentials of strategic and business plans
* Addresses how to get started including how to create your first business plan, evaluate initial needs and costs, create a budget and a produce a list of action items to get started
* This volume is practical, applied, concise, portable, affordable and user-friendly ... Read more

Reviews (1)

If you're even thinking about it, read this book!
Starting your own design firm is a scary proposition. Having a trusted advisor can help make the transition from employee to being your own boss a little less intimidating. Piven and Perkins do just that in this well written book, which covers the essentials--hey, that's what they called it--of starting a firm without getting bogged down in minutiae.
You'll get some solid advice on planning, financing, and how to handle some of the more delicate issues of starting your own firm--such as how to represent work you did for others when marketing your new business. The book also includes model business plans and a basic (very basic) overview of accounting principles that even an architect can understand. Worth reading if you're entertaining any notions about starting your own shop. ... Read more

Book Description

A manifesto by America's most controversial and celebrated town planners, proposing an alternative model for community design.

There is a growing movement in North America to put an end to suburban sprawl and to replace the automobile-based settlement patterns of the past fifty years with a return to more traditional planning principles. This movement stems not only from the realization that sprawl is ecologically and economically unsustainable but also from a growing awareness of sprawl's many victims: children, utterly dependent on parental transportation if they wish to escape the cul-de-sac; the elderly, warehoused in institutions once they lose their driver's licenses; the middle class, stuck in traffic for two or more hours each day.

Founders of the Congress for the New Urbanism, Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk are at the forefront of this movement, and in Suburban Nation they assess sprawl's costs to society, be they ecological, economic, aesthetic, or social. It is a lively, thorough, critical lament, and an entertaining lesson on the distinctions between postwar suburbia-characterized by housing clusters, strip shopping centers, office parks, and parking lots-and the traditional neighborhoods that were built as a matter of course until mid-century. It is an indictment of the entire development community, including governments, for the fact that America no longer builds towns. Most important, though, it is that rare book that also offers solutions.
... Read more

Reviews (63)

Did you realize how suburban sprawl affects the USA?
This book allowed me to understand why the US cities look so different from the European ones. Over the years the cult of car and the construction of vast network of highways contributed to SPRAWL:

- cookie cutter houses

- wide, treeless and sidewalk-free roads

- mindlessly curving cul-de-sacs

- streetscape of garage doors

After the war Federal Housing Administration and Veterans Administration offered loans to finance new suburban homes, thus discouraging renovation of existing housing. Simultaneously a 41000 mile interstate highway construction program, couples with regional road expansion projects, and the neglect of mass transit, helped make automotive commuting affordable and convenient for average citizen.

People no longer walk, they get into their cars (most often too big, btw) to drive to the nearest strip malls. Walking is either not possible (no sidewalks, no lights to cross the road) or not pleasant because of architecture of buildings, noise protecting walls etc. Crosswalks are sometimes erased on the grounds of pedestrian safety. Indeed in some areas drivers are not used to see walking people and do not stop at their red-light-turns. Shops followed customers to the suburbs. I was really shocked by the deserted after 5 pm capital city of Jackson, Ms. The same happened in Detroit, Hartford, Des moines, Syracuse, Tampa and on many more places.

Old-time walkable cities (or their parts) like Boston's Beacon Hill, Santa Fe, Nantucket, Annapolis, Nantucket - are fun for tourists and residents but are also violating zoning regulations.

Contemporary housing subdivisions (clusters or pods) consist only of residences, even if are called neighbourhoods. You will not find a convenience shop, or a library, or a school on site. Also, they are carefully separated from the neighbouring clusters. Subdivisions have wide internal roads, which are very wide unlike old-type yield roads with one traffic lanes to accomodate both directions. Such roads/streets are good for drivers but not for pedestrians. These roads are then connected at only one point to the main collector road. Here another truth needs emphasizing - adding lanes to highways only makes traffic worse, does not solve the jams. Los Angeles, NYC or or Atlanta provide good example. Highways only mitigate people against leaving closer to work. Increased traffic capacity causes people to drive more - after discovering this truth Britain cut their road building budgets, but not Americans.

Mass transit is the only solution, and it has to start with pedestrians. Park and ride solutions are not very helpful

No more housing subdivisions!

No more shopping centers!

No more office parks!

No more highways!

Neighbourhoods or nothing!

We Are All Responsible - So Let's All Look For Solutions
Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck are urban planners who have seen and done much of what America is made up of today. Here is an an overview of the origins and current status of the epidemic of Suburban sprawl, and it's heavily documented and scientifically researched consequences. Some of the concepts discussed include zoning laws, regulations, lost tax revenue, lack of aesthetics, and anonymous "soul-less" suburbs filled with alienated people.

Obviously, people have to live somewhere. They have to buy groceries and shop, send their children to schools, and live in a neighborhood that's desirable. Are separate residential and commercial zoning laws the only way? Are large sub-divisions of residential track-housing, the only option? These plans usually necessitate a car for doing anything and everything, no matter how trivial. In metropolitan areas with high population densities, we need to get in our cars, drive through congested traffic to eyesoric strip-malls, even to buy a loaf of bread. There is no sense of collective community, even in a mental sense. Office parks are separated, yet connected by hiways, into islands of emptiness. There are also negative economic consequences. It has been been proven from varieties of sources, that the current suburban model not only strains but debilitates the economy. There is a heavy-toll placed on the residents of these widespread areas.

How many times have you heard people say "the traffic is terrible," while they are driving their vehicles everyday to do virtually everything? Have you ever heard, "where do all these people come from?" or "I wonder where they're all going?" Answer: they're doing exactly the same thing you're doing: driving through suburbia, everyday, for everything, and anything. As the population continues to increase in the United States we'll see unprecedented massive growth of suburban sprawl under the current plan of the suburban model. It's not revamping the model entirely that may make living under these circumstances more livable, but some minor well-thought adjustments....

One of the ten best books on American life
I found this book intriguing, because the authors understand why I like my neighborhood. Even better, they understand why I hate so many new housing projects. This is an important book, as vital as Jane Jacobs' work, and it has some uncomfortable truths to share. The US has become a Suburban Nation; a nation of badly-designed suburbs. The newest, more expensive ones are some of the worst.

My neighborhood has houses that are smallish, but sidewalks are everywhere. There are stores within reasonable walking distance, and not too many cul-de-sacs. Three parks are less than a mile away. That means I can walk more than one route to get places. More importantly, others walk the neighborhood too, so I actually meet my neighbors. A neighborhood built almost 50 years ago, the trees are mature (a rarity in Silicon Valley burbs) and provide shade, coolness, and beauty. 8000 square foot lots are neither so small that the houses are crushed together nor so large that walking seems to get you nowhere because it takes too long to pass each property.

Contrast this with the new developments going in: miniscule yards (and therefore little greenery), matchstick trees that don't receive any sun, overly wide arterials that offer only one way into or out of the development. Walls around the complex not only keep outsiders out, they prevent insiders from going out, too, unless they get in the car and crowd onto the only access road. Once in one's car, there is no opportunity to talk with neighbors on the inside, either.

Before reading Suburban Nation, I still had the same sense of what made a neighborhood compelling and we bought our home accordingly, preferring the old small house over the big new ones despite my need for closet space. Authors Duany, Plater-Zybeck, and Speck articulate these principals clearly and enjoyably. With many photographs illustrating both good and bad examples of city planning, Suburban Nation shows the consequences of bad assumptions as well as bad results. The authors like Winter Park, FL, because its downtown is walkable and residents, most of them retired and many who have given up driving, can easily participate in community life. They hate most of the new burbs being built because there is no there there, there's just a road from here to somewhere else with no central gathering point.

Most of the failure of the modern suburb is due to the automobile. Wider roads make a community less cohesive, because a wide road encourages speeding, while a narrow one encourages drivers to slow down, regardless of the posted speed limit. New communities have ridiculously wide roads, which not only lead to unsafe traffic but also discourages pedestrians. Cul-de-sacs, corners, and curves are overly wide as well, to accomodate uneeded 40 foot fire trucks; completely unneeded in a suburb where no building is over two stories but purchased by town councils wanting their fire chiefs to be happy. The net result is a 120 foot walk to cross a street instead of 40 feet because the corners are shaved to allow the stupid fire truck access, the fire truck the suburb DOES NOT NEED because a smaller truck would do just as good a job.

People claim to want to live in the suburbs for a smaller community, but the way they are built frustrates any chance of finding it. Planners consider schools to be traffic nuisances and build them away from central locations, yet larger schools are what leads to disconnection. Putting them on the boundaries instead of the center of town destroys a chance of meeting other children from the neighborhood, and further increases car usage. The authors ask why a school is considered a traffic nuisance rather than making them smaller to be community assets?

Duany and Plater-Zybeck have designed some marvelous new communities, and hope this well-written and ground-breaking book will publicize why they succeed. The first step is repealing the planning rules that prevent all these elements of vital community. Read Suburban Nation and find out how community building begins with good design.

An Absolutely Fantastic Book
I am not an architect or city planner, but I believe this book would be an interesting and informative read for anyone. It provides a lot of information and references for a professional and it is a great starting point for an amateur or concerned and active citizen. Additionally (and very difficult to accomplish all three), it is a very pleasant read for anyone else who wants to learn more about designing a neighborhood, how cities form, how to combat environmental destruction or simply why they do or don't enjoy a specific neighborhood.

Part of the success of this book for me was the format. There are small pages with wide margins. The margins allow for small black & white pictures directly next to the text they illustrate. The pictures by themselves are not very good, but they illustrate the text very well. Additionally, the authors used two systems of footnotes/endnotes (a system that I have not seen before) that expand and clarify the story very well, without bogging it down. For asides or amplifications, they have footnotes that you can quickly read, after you have finished your current line of thought. These sources are not always completely referenced, sometimes the authors only reference a series, article, or individual book; but if you are interested the source along with some additional thoughts from the authors are available. For the sources they are citing, the authors use a typical endnote system.

This book is a call to action. The authors try to explain the current problems with our cities (and consequently our lives) and some of their solutions. They do a very good job explaining their views, and I believe present a very convincing argument that these problems do not have one source or solution. The authors present problems with our cities today as problems that cut across all economic, social, environmental, occupational & cultural boundaries; and that only traditional neighborhoods cut across all these boundaries to solve these problems. The authors do NOT say that only architects or city planners can solve the major problems facing society today. Quite the opposite; they say that only an educated citizenry can solve these problems if they act truly collectively, and the only mechanism that they have seen that brings people together (across the above-mentioned boundaries) is a "traditional neighborhood".

I don't believe the authors are Ludites or are in any way opposed to modern technology or science; however, their basic position is that we need to re-read the texts from 100 years ago and stop using the latest gee-whiz-bang theory to design our cities and guide our lives. If fact, they directly state that experimentation is good; but that we should experiment on the rich because if the latest theory is cracked, the rich can always afford to move! Unfortunately, the rich and powerful seem to know that not all of the latest theories come out perfect the first time, so modern society experiments on the poor, with the predictable results.

Everyone should read this book!

accurate diagnosis, wrong solution
Like most socialists since Karl Marks, the authors of this book accurately diagnose the problem and then prescribe a solution that will only make things worse. Of course I agree that American suburbia is a horrible disaster. But what caused it? The authors hint at the answer which seems to be land use zoning instituted by local government. The authors also describe how this zoning leads to corruption, so large developers are the only ones who can survive in this corrupt and bureaucratic environment. And what remedy do the authors offer? Why, more and "better" government, of course. What they fail to mention is that most of the old towns and cities that they so admire were built without any of this regulation. What these old towns did was to do their job and let the private sector do its job. The job of local government is to take responsibility for public space and institutions. That means that local government, not private developers, should lay out and build the roads. Local government should build public parks, playgrounds, civic buildings, many nice public schools, etc. That is what local government used to do in the US. These days, instead of doing their job, local government (and all government for that matter) spend time meddling and interfering in the private sector. The nightmare that we all recognize as American suburbia is caused by both the fact that local government is not doing what it needs to do and that local government is preventing the private sector from doing what the private sector needs to do. Simply eliminating land use and density zoning would solve many of the problems described in this book.

Some quotes to describe the above: "If we truly want to curtail sprawl, we must acknowledge that automotive mobility is a no-win game, and that the only long-term solutions to traffic are public transportation and coordinated land use." What nonsense. Like most Leftists, the authors hate the freedom that the car has given people. Why can't we eliminate sprawl by having high density, pedestrian friendly towns interconnected with massive highways? There is no conflict between pedestrians and cars when the needs of each are satisfied separately. And another: "a federal initiative is needed to better coordinate those policies which now govern the apparently distinct objectives of affordable housing provision, business assistance, job creation, and social services." This big government nonsense speaks for itself.

So this book gets 2 stars for its accurate description of everything that is wrong with suburbia. But it is a depressing reminder that the only major forces in our country are corporate fascists and big government socialists. The enterprising spirit of individual freedom and civic duty that created those wonderful old towns and cities and all that was good in America is now extinct. ... Read more

Book Description

This book defines over 5,000 terms relating to architectural design, history, and technology. It is the only dictionary that provides concise, accurate definitions illustrated with finely detailed, hand-rendered drawings, each executed in Mr. Ching's signature style. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Tidbits Galore
If your a hobbyist architect like me you will find hundreds of tidbits of info on all aspects of building construction, and architecture in this book, all illustrated in superb pencil drawings.

puts all the elements in your hand
a comprehensive collection of elements and discriptions for whatever peice of idea that has been thought of, a must have for those who really want to understand the details of the profession. Very well organized chapters, and i liked specially the coverage of nearlly all the styles old and new with nearly all the elements included in each style. Photoes are generously included but they could use some color to make them more appealing. it is nice i think if it was available on CD.

Fundamental
As with most of Francis D.K. Ching's publications, this is a fundamental resource to the student of architecture, as well as the practicing professional. The practice of architecture is intrinscially tied to the ability of the Architect to communicate complex ideas to a myriad of persons. To be succesful at this communication, one needs to be conversant in both the written/spoken language of architecture as well as the illustrative language of drawing. The Visual Dictionary exemplifies this concept. Organized around 68 essential concepts of design and construction - concisely written and beautifully illustrated - Francis Ching brings forth clarity in communication rarely experienced in the world of design and construction. I use this book in teaching, in practice, in reference, and in simple enjoyment. Again, a fundamental resource for the reference shelf - although it rarely sits on the shelf.

The utmost thought-provoking and excellent graphics therin
I find Ching to be an artful genius. The sketches ideas and text in this book all conform in such a way to inspire and train the eye. He gives so much information on each page. You must look, read and study each page several times before you realize all they convey. Truly remarkable and architecturally-speaking, to-the-point in this age of "abstract", "didactic" architectonic psychobabble. Cheers to you Francis D.K. Ching

I want to read this book, but in spanish version
I saw this book in spanish version in the Casa Viva magazine, please what do I do to have this book in spanish version? ... Read more

Book Description

* The foremost professional reference on the physical design of cities and urban places
* International coverage including recent European and Asian sustainability initiatives
* Covers essential topics such as preservation, renewal, patterns of settlement and more
* Outstanding contributors include Alan Plattus, Dean of the College of Architecture, Yale University ... Read more

Book Description

The Geography of Nowhere traces America's evolution from a nation of Main Streets and coherent communities to a land where every place is like no place in particular, where the cities are dead zones and the countryside is a wasteland of cartoon architecture and parking lots.

In elegant and often hilarious prose, Kunstler depicts our nation's evolution from the Pilgrim settlements to the modern auto suburb in all its ghastliness. The Geography of Nowhere tallies up the huge economic, social, and spiritual costs that America is paying for its car-crazed lifestyle. It is also a wake-up call for citizens to reinvent the places where we live and work, to build communities that are once again worthy of our affection. Kunstler proposes that by reviving civic art and civic life, we will rediscover public virtue and a new vision of the common good. "The future will require us to build better places," Kunstler says, "or the future will belong to other people in other societies." ... Read more

Reviews (32)

small town extraterrestrial visits modern city
This is something of a sightseeing tour through the depredations of modern urban design. Highly anecdotal in its approach, choppy in style, it covers no real new ground. It is, however, a useful survey of current criticism of urban planning. I was distressed to see his bibliography contained no mention of Jane Jacob's 'The Death and Life of Great American Cities'-- the seminal work taking to task the concepts manifested in suburban wastelands and decaying inner cities. Kunstler's approach swings between vague economic, historic and philosophical tracts and some fairly well traveled material on building and urban design theories. The most prominent villain in this take is the car. This really doesn't provide a useful starting point for designing more livable cities. Not unless you acknowledge that the car is here to stay, and that urban design will have to come grips with its presence and still aspire to build cities which provide intense community centred cultures.

Urban design reflects directly our values as a society. Answers as fundamental as Kunstler is proposing cannot be broached successfully without changing those values. That is an idealistic and realistically futile prospect. The vocal and activist polarities on this issue, the utopian and maudlin pragmatic, dictate the limited attention and action it gets in the political reality. Railing against the automobile, corporate priorities, environmental inattention or our alienation from the homogenous communities of our past will finally relegate the issue to a few academics and misanthropes. The real solution, such as one exists, is going to have to come from a consensus which realizes that population growth, economic realities, automobiles, and social heterogeneity are going to be part of our future and have to be incorporated in a far from perfect outcome. But one which will hopefully ensure human and community values have a presence and priority in planning decisions. The potential trap is that a new paradigm replaces the last with some faddish design manifesto completely inappropriate to many local conditions, imposing some sentimental pastiche on problems which are not primarily architectural in nature. Like environmentalism, city design works best at the involved community level, where unique urban aspirations can be iterated with economic and ergonomic necessity.

revolutionary
Geography of Nowhere is a wonderful, life-changing book. I wish I could make every developer, every SUV owner and every town council read this book. Its main topic is the physical environments that Americans live in, in contrast to our historical environments and to overseas. Kunstler shows how the advent of the automobile has changed the face of cities, small-towns and birthed the suburb. The choice to live without an automobile is now a very difficult one for most people, and also comes with certain social assumptions. Yet, after reading Geography of Nowhere, I am seeking ever more ways to take public transportation and reduce my reliance on a vehicle that both pollutes the natural environment and despoils the man-made environment.

Some chapters in the book focus on cities gone wrong, such as Detroit. Others discuss the ideal community, involving mixed-use neighborhoods (both purpose - commercial, residential, industrial - and class - working, professional, wealthy). Kunstler makes the case that prior to the development of suburbia and the reign of automobiles as our primary form of transportation, we had a kinder, cleaner, and happier world. Disney World's Main Street was used as an example of how car-free neighborhoods have become an American dream, and at the same time, few people understand why cars have had such a negative effect.

Geography of Nowhere has confirmed my choice to live in a city with public transportation, in a mixed-use neighborhood, within walking distance of most of my needs. It may be more expensive and it may be unconventional, but I now have the evidence to back up my convictions.

Quite frank and quite real
In the book called The Geography of Nowhere, James Kunstler, the author, fiercely creates the point to the reader that America has turned into a wasted landscape. Kunstler's strongest point comes from his critique on the suburbs. Some chapters like in "A Place Called Home," chapter nine, he expresses his harsh attitude to the suburbs by calling it a disaster in ways. Coining phrases like "symptoms of this disease," Kunstler clearly states his antipathy towards the structure of the suburbs. Another topic that Kunstler focuses on in this book is the automobile. He wastes no time at listing the reasons why America would need a new transportation source for the future. Besides saying that the automobile created an unhealthy addiction to oil, a source that is non-renewable, Kunstler also talks about how poorly it has shaped our country. Congested highways, hot concentrations of pollution, unsafe environments for our growing children are some of the reasons in chapter six called "Joy Ride." Throughout the book, an underlying theme entwined with Kunstler's main ideas is the thought of bringing back the meaning life. As vague as that may seem, Kunstler means to create places that are worth caring for and can be truly appreciated. In chapters like "How to Mess Up a Town" and "The Loss of Community," Kunstler asserts how degraded and dull life has become. Fields to frolic about turned into silent parking lots and every single house in a neighborhood complex exactly alike inside out. In the last chapter, "Better Places," Kunstler talks about how some people are trying to revive the world of architecture and remaking land into towns that are pedestrian-friendly and are also worth caring for. All in all, Kunstler's book, The Geography of Nowhere, contains many ideas of the horrible state of American life and what is being done about it.

Welcome Voice of Reason
Kunstler's informed report may come off as a rant, but he does speak from a place of genuine concern. Compared with the abstracted anti-urbanism of Bernard Tschumi, Daniel Libeskind, Peter Eisenman and other of the quasi-intellectual poseurs practicing as architects these days, we should welcome Kunstlers much-needed rebuttal.

Nothing like an self-proclaimed elite dicating our tastes
As has already been well-documented by other reviewers, Kuntsler does a decent job in terms of putting old, worn-out critiques of sprawl into lively prose. But what Kuntsler fails to do--dreadfully so--is to acknowleddge what Americans have gained by giving up cute little homogenous downtowns for WalMart, the suburbs, and the car. Many Americans choose this existence because it means a larger, richer personal realm, cheaper prices that buy more and better consumer goods, and a protected sphere in which to raise a family. Kuntlser is clearly within his rights to want to live a life of communitarianism and public interaction, but there's no place for him to tell others that they've been "duped" into living a suburban life that he dislikes. People live in the suburbs because they enjoy its great convenience--and "convenience" is simply that which allows you do things that you enjoy more often, and things that you dislike less. For Mr. Kusntler, this suburban world may seem soul-less, but for those who choose it is a path to a better life. Americans do not need Kuntsler's elitism and paternalism to tell us what we should like and what we should find fulfilling. Perhaps it simply that the vast majority of us have voted with our feet and rejected Mr. Kunstler's values that leads him to adopt such an extreme tone. ... Read more

Book Description

Residential Lighting is the complete guide to illuminating single-family homes.
* Examines the "how" behind the art of residential lighting.
* Emphasizes use of "light layering"-using variety of lighting sources together.
* Features more illustrations, room-based design strategies, common lighting mistakes, and a larger color section. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A Little Light Reading!
As a Design Instructor and Lighting Professional, I can attest that Randy Whitehead's book is an invaluable asset to both the beginning design professional or the savvy client. Photos, diagrams, intelligent definitions-high light the the text. The good humor and obvious talent that Randy Whitehead exhibits makes this book an enjoyable and easily accessible resource.

As a design instructor, I have found earlier examples of this author's books to be a dynamic addition to lecture presentations.

It would be a great addition to any library.

A Client's/Homeowner's Perspective
As a homeowner who has been through two major remodels in the past five years, and who has had the good fortune to work with Randall Whitehead on the lighting design and installation for both projects, I read Mr. Whitehead's most recent book from at least two key perspectives:

• an extremely satisfied client of and collaborator with Randall Whitehead on two major projects; and

• a homeowner who has learned the value of outstanding lighting design and what that brings to the totality of the home

One of the key elements that distinguishes Randall Whitehead from other lighting designers with whom I am familiar is his ability to quickly put himself inside the mind of the client in a way that immediately allows the entire design project to be collaborative rather than dictatorial, for lack of a better word. From start to finish on both projects, I had the feeling that my personal goals and tastes were understood, appreciated and treated as more important by far than the need of the designer to employ a certain new technique or some flashy new fixture. Mr. Whitehead's ability to assimilate a great deal of information and then to explain his ideas in language understandable to the homeowner is refreshing and extremely comforting in a major remodel, and he creates an atmosphere of calm in a process that nearly always stormy at best. Anyone who has been through a major remodel knows that calm, patience and dependability aren't traits that immediately come to mind when thinking of those integral to the process.

Similarly, in his latest book, Mr. Whitehead walks the reader through major elements of lighting design, using examples to comprehensively cover technical and non-technical areas, making this book accessible, informative and instructional to the layman as well as the professional.

My strong preference would be for anyone contemplating a major design or remodel project to have the good fortune to work with Mr. Whitehead on that project. Failing that, or perhaps prior to a collaborative effort, I recommend this book without hesitation as a way to rapidly enter the magical world of his lighting genius.

what a time saver!
As a partner in a residential architectural firm in San Francisco I've become intimately aware of the impact good lighting design has on a project. Through the years I've been through many books, lectures, and showrooms to gain knowledge.

One of my favorite sources is Randall Whitehead. If you've ever seen Randall speak about lighting, you already know his passion for the lighting design industry. If you missed his speaking engagements, fear not, because he has produced a new book that is as entertaining and as informative as his speaking engagements. HIs current book "Residential Lighting, A Practical Guide" is my favorite to date.

In one book, he has combined the technical aspects of the myriad lighting products available on the market, with solid design principals (in text and illustrated form) along with photographs of successful and unsuccessful installations. All this, broken down into exterior and interior applications room by room, makes up one great resource! Now, I can grab one book to determine the best lighting solution for a given situation. What a timesaver!

This book is a must for anyone faced with deciding how best to light a space. And, when it comes to our homes, everyone of us is a designer, whether we like to admit it or not! The formidable decisions existent within the lighting aspect of residential design has just been made a lot easier, thanks to Randall Whitehead.

A must for every Interior Designer and Architect's library
I own five of Mr. Whitehead's books and I use them all frequently. All are incredible sources of lighting inspiration and I share them with my clients to SEE why I am so passionate about good lighting.

What makes this book particularly exceptional is the combination of the practical necessities of lighting with helpful high-quality photographs. Like a great cookbook, I find that the graphics really drive his points home and provide the "ah-hah" that text alone cannot provide.

As an Interior Designer, I know that good lighting design is not only rare to find, but tougher than most people realize. It looks easy when it's finished, but only when faced with the "blank canvas" of a living space do most clients realize how difficult lighting design truly is. The Practical Guide presents the fundamentals necessary to analyze and solve most residential lighting situations and helps designers show why going the extra step to implement a lighting plan is essential for a successful interior design.

I have had the opportunity to attend a couple of Mr. Whitehead's professional seminars. It's usually not long before he has the room in stitches with his lighthearted, to-the-point style. Mr.Whitehead writes in a similarly engaging manner. He is not afraid to express (and defend) his opinions, even at the risk of stepping on a few well-shoed toes.

I laughed while I learned
Randall Whitehead has done a terrific job of explaining what light does and why in a way that is surprisinly entertaining. I can see that this book was written for interior designers and architects, but as a homeowner I found the information easy to understand and very practical.

The other books on the subject tend to be dry and overly technical to the point of being a big snore. This book is unlike any textbook I remember. It is funny while giving you all the 'how to' stuff. There are great photos, cartoons, and drawings throughout the book. Don't miss reading the descriptions of the "before" pictures. You will be laughing, while nodding your head in total agreement.

Anyone who wants to know more about lighting for homes and gardens should read this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Love the look of mid-century, modern, retro design, but don't feel like dropping two weeks' pay on an Eames chair? In Handmade Modern, Todd Oldham shares his passion for mid-century modern homes with over 52 do-it-yourself projects for anyone who loves crafts and longs to add character to every corner of his or her home.

Todd Oldham has received accolades during an impressive career bringing couture fashion and elegant design to a more inclusive and broader audience, first in MTV's "House of Style", and today though his line of housewares and school supplies for Target, and his line of home furnishings for La-Z-Boy. In Handmade Modern he offers cutting-edge makeover plans for the office, kitchen, living room, bedroom, and closet, all designed to be both fresh and enormously practical. In this beautifully designed full-color book, Todd tackles each room in the house, starting with a beauty shot of each room, and then breaking the room down into its components, each one a do-it-yourself project. In the living room, for example, he takes you through projects with a difficulty range of 1 through 5:

a space-saving freestanding bookshelf (5) matching end tables (4) reupholstered pillow