Architecture

A World History of Architecture

The Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius declared firmitas, utilitas, and venustas-firmness, commodity, and delight- to be the three essential attributes of architecture. These qualities are brilliantly explored in this book, which uniquely comprises both a detailed survey of Western architecture, including Pre-Columbian America, and an introduction to architecture from the Middle East, India, Russia, China, and Japan. The text encourages readers to examine closely the pragmatic, innovative, and aesthetic attributes of buildings, and to imagine how these would have been praised or criticized by contemporary observers. Artistic, economic, environmental, political, social, and technological contexts are discussed so as to determine the extent to which buildings met the needs of clients, society at large, and future generations.

Visual Encyclopedia of Architecture

Neoclassical and 19th Century Architecture

This volume offers a complete survey of European architecture during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, examining in particular the influence of the cultural trends of the period on the architects' works. The first section of the book deals with the history of eighteenth-century architecture in France and England, countries where Cartesian-school philosophical speculation and Anglo-Saxon philosophical empiricism wielded a determining influence. After analysing the developments of the classical tradition and its propagation throughout Europe, the book studies in depth the history of architectural movements, comprising neo-classicism, neo-Renaissance and neo-Gothic architecture. The outstanding, forerunning personalities of this brilliant artistic period who, in the course of the nineteenth century, offered fecund theoretic and stylistic contributions, include Gottfried Semper, John Ruskin and Eugene Viollet-le Duc.

The Architecture of the Italian Renaissance

Guides the reader from the earliest revivals of Roman style to the villas of Palladio and Vignola. Each of the great architects is clearly and sensitively discussed. 202 illustrations.

American Architecture

In this reference book on architecture in America, Cyril Harris covers everything to do with the built environment, from construction materials and techniques to decorative terms and practical devices, from dogtrot cabin to skyscraper. The entries - including over 2500 definitions and nearly 1000 illustrations - are complemented with historical or biographical nuggets.

Architectural Details - Stairs

First of all: Stairs are an essential structure for crossing height differences ? whether dynamic or elegant, modern or traditional, narrow or spacious. But beside this function as an article of daily use stairs are also a medium to express a specific way

Architectural Details - Windows

Windows serve as the eye of the house. They provide contact between the internal world of a building and the world outside ? windows permit light, air and glances to move into the space but also establish a connection to the outer world for all people ins

Architectural Details - Pillars

Everybody knows Athens? Acropolis, Paris? Notre Dame or the Victory Column in Berlin ? and nobody can imagine any of it without its impressive pillar constructions. Pillars always act as a symbol of grandeur and power but often they also have crucial func

200 Small House Plans

· Here’s a bold new collection proving that good things continue to come in small packages!
· In less than 2,500 square feet, each plan works hard to create a sense of place – with a measure of imagination-whatever your family’s lifestyle.

· Section headings suggest pattern of live. You’ll find plans for versatile starter homes, chic homes for moving up, distinctive homes for couples, choice homes for growing families, affordable estate design, smart empty-nester ideas and hardworking vacation homes.

· Fully one third of the designers as new to this edition.

· Complete construction blueprints are available separately.

Cairo a Life Story of 1000 Years 969 1969

...isms: Understanding Architecture

Following the success of Isms: Understanding Art, this engaging and informative guide to the significant "isms" of architectural history spans from the ancient Greeks, Romans, and the Renaissance up to the present day. Each spread is devoted to a distinct architectural movement and explains when it first emerged, the historical period to which it applies, the principal disputes over its applicability, and illustrates important structures, practitioners, key words, and distinctive features. From Hellenic Classicism and Expressionism to Brutalism and Blobism, with many stops along the way, these sixty well illustrated and clearly defined "isms" help put all of the "built environments" of the world into context.

The Story of Western Architecture

With history rather than aesthetics as a starting point, Riseboro recounts the development of architecture in the Western World by looking at architecture as an expression of social and economic conditions. This edition contains material which brings it up to the start of the 21st century.