Reviews (3)

A big book with an awful lot of information.
Now in it's third edition published in 2006 and brought up to date. This is the standard reference guide to the NCIDQ examination, but more than that this is an excellent reference book into designing the interior of a structure be it a house or a commercial building.
Interior Design Reference Manual
This book has all you need to study for the NCIDQ exam.I'm also glad I found the 3rd edition on Amazon because all the other book places I looked were $100 plus for this book!

best available study guide
this one's the best book to study for the NCIDQ. but they need to make an updated version.i just took the ncidq and items on the test but not in the book were drapery, carpet and wallcovering calculations and sustainable design. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Decoration & Ornament    3. Examinations    4. Interior Design - General    5. Interior decoration    6. National Council for Interior Design Qualification (U.S.)    7. Personal & Practical Guides    8. Reference    9. Study & Teaching    10. Study and teaching    11. Study guides    12. United States   

Reviews (20)

alexander's courage gave birth to this noble book
this is simply (as all the other books by c. alexander) the best book I have ever read on architecture, and the humanity of architecture
My wife loves it - and that's good enough for me.
I bought this (and Patterns...) because my wife always liked discussing the structure of our city, our house and life in general, as we headed home after work.
Very Intersting and Original Viewpoint
Alexander's book is fascinating. It teaches the reader to draw the distinction between pattern design and modular design. Previously, I was not even aware that these two design methods were on a type of continuum. Aside from its lessons, it is in fact a very interesting book. It does have a kind of utopian feel to it, and it feels good! I highly recommend this book to anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Drafting    3. Pattern perception    4. Planning    5. Study & Teaching    6. Architecture / Criticism    7. Art & Architecture | Theory & Criticism; Aesthetics   

Reviews (5)

The Best Complete Book on Western Architecture
Without a doubt, this text is the Quintessential Gold Standard for introductory Western Architecture. A must have for anybody who is serious about learning about how Western Architecture has evolved over time, and with little if any bias. Its only weak area is with architectural development in Asia and South/Central Meso America. Other than that, this is my third copy of the text and it just keeps getting better. Believe me when I say, this is one book you may never want to loan out, for it may not get returned. I know, it's happened to me once already.

Full of historical detail
Mine is a new 1975 edition (which was a small fraction of the new price). It is as much a history of the world--and an incredibly detailed one--as a history of architecture. It opens each of its 40 chapters with a discussion of a civilization or era, then describes the buildings very matter-of-factly. Sometimes opinions emerge: Louis Kahn is cited as an example of a flash-in-the-pan; FLLW's Guggenheim is criticized as impractical.
It's just so.....juicy!
For over a century, this has been THE classic study of the history of architecture. It is a work of art in it's own right and worth owning simply for the joy of hefting it's not inconsiderable weight and browsing once ina while - even as a layman. The text is extraordinarily readable and theillustrations are a delight. It's so packed full of information - believeme, even if you have only a limited interest in architecture you will learna great deal that will surprise you from this book! Enthusiasts forclassical and other older branches of architecture may wish to considerpurchasing second-hand copies of older editions - they're somehow nicer,and devote less space to the debased modern form of the art. (Yes, I'mbiased and proud of it!:) Of a reasonable collection of architecturalhistory books, (including several larger-format, beautifully-illustratedcoffee-table books in the modern style)this book is easily my favourite. Ithas class, style and above all, character. Buy it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Criticism    3. General    4. History    5. History - General    6. History Of Architecture    7. Study & Teaching    8. Architecture / History    9. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (4)

Easy read, great info.
Well written, easy to read and comprehend.Great for a student to begin development of a project.

Great choice for architecture students!
This book offers a great way for architecture students to get a handle on some of the issues related to building design. It deals with basic issues of construction including structural systems, mechanical systems, and code considerations. It gives "rules of thumb" and basic descriptions which are great for preliminary design. For example, if you need to roughly size a truss or floor system during schematic design, go the appropriate section for the system you are using, and you'll find handy charts for basic sizing. This is a great book for students who need rough "guestimates" for studio projects.

For professionals and students alike!
Having this book is like having a half-dozen of the best engineering consultants at your elbow-ready to answer any question that may come up during design. It reduces all the complex technical issues in building design to simple formal elements of know size that are easily merged into the architectural design process.A must-have for professionals and students alike! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Design    2. Architecture    3. Design & Drafting    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    6. Reference    7. Study & Teaching    8. Architectural structure & design    9. Architecture / Design & Drafting   

Reviews (9)

Designers
A great book for interior designers. Serves as a great refrence. A must add to any library collection!

One of the best.
A very informative and usefull book for all designers.

DO NOT BUY! it's hard to imagine a more worthless book
This book is a fiasco. As a professional in commercial space planning for many years, I picked it up based on a 'glowing review'. I find another few good ratings here on-line. The authors mother must be writing them, because no one who actually attempted to verify the faulty and incomplete information within, could ever see this tome as worth the paper upon which it is printed.Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Design    2. Architectural drawing    3. Architecture    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Design & Drafting    6. Designs and plans    7. General    8. Interior Design    9. Interior Design - General    10. Interior architecture    11. Standards    12. Study & Teaching    13. Technique   

Reviews (2)

Materials Control Design
Architecture is an interesting mix of enginnering and art. All too often one of these is emphasized too much at the expense of the other. If too much art is emphasized, it is easy to design structures that cannot be built with the materials being specified.
Design magicians reveal their material tricks
If you've seen beautiful design and wanted to know how it was actually made, this is the book to show you. The case studies are the best of recent work and each has clear concepts, many color shots and ALSO clear construction drawings and details which are impossible to find.Some books only tease with images but not explanations, and technical manuals miss the beauty of design altogether.This book brings the two together.I don't know why this approach was not taken before, but it's what I've been looking for. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. Architectural Design    3. Architecture    4. Architecture, Modern    5. Building materials    6. Design & Drafting    7. Materials Science (Specific Aspects)    8. Methods & Materials    9. Non-Classifiable    10. Nonfiction - General    11. Study & Teaching    12. Architectural structure & design    13. Architecture / General    14. Building material   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Drafting    3. Examinations    4. Study & Teaching    5. Study guides    6. United States   

Reviews (5)

Architectural Research Methods
This is a good overall text for anyone working in or towards a graduate degree in architecture or landscape architecture.

Uphill Reading
As a graduate student taking my first official course in research methods, I was disappointed.The language and structure of this book could have been made a lot easier to follow. I would have appreciated, for example, more frequent subheadings and listing of points.Because of the lack of, the book is difficult to skim or pick and choose sections to read; expect to read thoroughly.Some of the examples in the book were questionable -especially the chapter on experimental and quasi-experimental research.The frequent diagrams were also lacking in clarity.I think that the text could have been half as long and still conveyed the same amount of information.Redundancy aside, I did (with much caffeinated effort) gain a broad understanding of several research strategies and tactics.The book is not a comprehensive guidebook for conducting research based on particular research methods; it is merely a broad introduction or clarification of various strategies.However, it frequently suggests comprehensive texts for further reading if you are so inclined.

Cohesive and comprehensive
I found this book to be excellent:comprehensive and approachable, eclectic and interdisciplinary.It should save any student,researcher or instructor much time and can serve as a text book and/or a comprehensive reference manual.It also adds to the body of knowledge by freshly demonstrating the application ofthe research methods of many other disciplines in the specific context of architecture (including many cases and examples), all within a nice, logical, unifying philosophical framework. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture (Specific Aspects)    3. General    4. Methods & Materials    5. Research    6. Study & Teaching    7. Study and teaching    8. Architectural structure & design    9. Architecture / General    10. Research methods: general   

Reviews (7)

A Must Have Book
Excellent Book.... Format and details are outstanding. It shows examples of what to do and what not to do.
An excellent reference for sorting through the myriad of production housing mistakes!
Having spent a number of years in the production building market, it is safe to say every professional I've worked with in the past, whether junior designer or Snr VP, lacked a sufficient understanding of traditional architecture to recognize the countless errors found throughout entire librabries of product.
Revolutinary!The equivalent of the "The Chicago Manual of Style" for Architects.
This is an EXCELLENT resource.As the Town Architect for a number of new traditional neighborhoods that have decided to continue building in the traditional styles of their region, I review the work of architects, designers and contractors alike for consistency with that tradition.This book never leaves my side.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building    3. Construction - General    4. Details    5. Drawings    6. General    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology    9. Architectural structure & design    10. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    11. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades    12. Reference    13. Study & Teaching   

Reviews (1)

The "Bible" of Architectural Programming
If you're interested in architectural programming--defining a project's requirements prior to designing--then this book is a "must read." Why "Problem Seeking?" Pena explains that since design is problem solving, programming is, "the search for sufficient information to clarify, to understand, to state the problem."Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Design    2. Architectural Drawing    3. Architecture    4. Data processing    5. Design & Drafting    6. General    7. Methods & Materials    8. Study & Teaching    9. Architecture / General    10. Theory of architecture   

Reviews (7)

experiencing architcture
I like this book very much, while reading, you feel like being on the place that is described and feel the architectural sensation.

Save a space in ur bookshelf for this!!
Yes, it's a must-have, yes u read it more than once and yes it is just the book for any architect or designer or anyone interested in the field..
understanding=experiencing
this is a classic book on how to deal with architecture.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. General    3. Study & Teaching    4. Architecture / General    5. Theory of architecture   

Reviews (13)

PORTFOLIO DESIGN-indeed
Once again, I am writing a review for this book and specifically the third edition. I have noticed that a few people seem to be confused about what this book provides, so I'll give you my take on the publication.
If you're an architecture student you have to buy this!!
This book will get you accepted in the best schools!!
Thank you
I'm preparing to transfer 4 year college and I didn't have any idea what do I have to ready for portfolio. This book give me a lot of idea to help get ready and find way of out line. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Design    2. Architectural Drawing    3. Architectural services marketi    4. Architectural services marketing    5. Architecture    6. Architecture portfolios    7. Design    8. Design & Drafting    9. Design services    10. Marketing    11. Marketing - General    12. Study & Teaching   

Reviews (2)

A helpful hint in the right direction
As an Architecture Student, I really enjoyed this book.It was very helpful with sketching techniques and just general concepts related to architecture.It was a required text for a class, but it has been ahelpful reasource since. I recommend this book to any person wishing todevelop a good sketching technique.This book refrences very importantworks by Aalto and Wright. It also addresses important and helpful hintsabout abstraction of ideals and their graphic weight.

Very helpful book
As an interior design student I have found this book to be very informative and helpful.The step by step analysis of the design process is terrific and I've practically worn out the copy at the library, so it'stime to buy it for myself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Drawing    2. Architecture    3. Communication in architectural    4. Communication in architectural design    5. Design & Drafting    6. Graphic arts    7. Sketch-books    8. Study & Teaching    9. Architectural structure & design    10. Architecture / Design & Drafting    11. Graphic design   

Reviews (4)

what has been lost in architecture and why it should be back
During my 15 years of architectural education and some years of practice (both as architect and as 'explainer' of architecture) I have not yet encountered a book on architecture which has changed my view on architecture so dramatically.
A Must-Read
In five years of Architectural Design, I am hard-pressed to find a book that has made such an impact on my thinking and overall awareness of architecture. This is truly a must-read for any architecture student, and is extremely interesting for those non-architects out there. I highly encourage the investment.

Updated Reprint of an Old Classic
Now back in print and updated into a second edition, this little book is a masterpiece on the differences between what we see in a set of architectural plans compared with what we sense when we walk into a building.
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Subjects:  1. Aesthetics    2. Architecture    3. Planning    4. Study & Teaching    5. Architecture / General    6. Theory of architecture   

Reviews (1)

Useful Reference
Excerpt: Time-Saver Standards for Architectural Design, 8th edition, is a ref�erence for architects, design and construction professionals, and edu�cators.
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Subjects:  1. Architectural design    2. Architecture    3. Building    4. Design & Drafting    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Standards, Engineering    7. Study & Teaching    8. Architectural structure & design    9. Architecture / General   

Reviews (2)

I am glad I found this book
Even though this is meant for graduate level and professionals, I ordered this book for our jr. high-aged homeschooled children, who are very interested in architecture and building models of their plans.I am happy with the way this book presents things simply and clearly, but does not restrict itself to only foam core board constructions.It introduces other ideas and techniques for models that my kids are excited to try.This book fulfills my wish to find a resource that will be of use to them for years and years...no matter how far they go into the field of architecture and model building.

Good insight
A good insight into the diffreent types of materials available for the construction of several types of architectural models. I particularly liked the way in which the book is divided and the several practical hints wihchthe author gives to the beginner -- a good book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural Drawing    2. Architectural models    3. Architecture    4. Design & Drafting    5. Study & Teaching    6. Technique   

Reviews (1)

Enhanced with an expanded and re-written chapter
Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Angus MacDonald's Structure & Architecture showcases the relationship between architecture and structural engineering using both historical and contemporary examples. This new edition is enhanced with an expanded and re-written chapter dealing with structural criticism and the relationship between structure and architectural style; as well as a new section on the relationships between architects, builders and engineers, and the influence which these relationships have on architectural styles and forms. Structure & Architecture is an invaluable and highly recommended addition to any personal, professional, or academic architectural studies collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Buildings    3. Criticism    4. Design & Drafting    5. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    6. Structural engineering    7. Study & Teaching    8. Architectural structure & design    9. Architecture / Study & Teaching   

Reviews (3)

A solid introduction to property management
This is a good general introduction to the business of property management.This textbook includes chapters on
Full of good statistics
Took this course a few years ago, and we used this book.It is a good starter book.There are others out there that could be used also, but this one is written at the average persons reading level.It also is good becuase it covers all properties not just apartments or retail etc..

Good summary
This book is good at the summary at the end of each chapter, but some details in the chapter is not cover.For example, like the law requirement in TX.There is mistake in the book on page 9. On the figure1.3, supposedHeavy Manufacturing instead of Industrial Real Estate repeat twice.Thisbook should provide some excerise to work on.For example, like the mathproblem, let us know how to calculate the formula. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Management - General    4. Real Estate - General    5. Real estate management    6. Study & Teaching    7. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry    8. Home & House Maintenance    9. House & Home / General   

Reviews (1)

Did someone forget to proofread?
I got this book last week and I've only worked through the second chapter but I've already found 4 mistakes.Grammatical mistakes I can handle but what I've come across are technical mistakes, units - poorly photocopied diagrams, mislabeled examples, that I cannot handle.If you're the publisher or one of the contributors reading this review you should be ashamed of yourself.Save your money, stick to Michael R. Lindeburg. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Engineering - Civil    3. Study & Teaching    4. Study Guides    5. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    6. Technology / Engineering / Civil   

Reviews (1)

Not Recommended, Especially Considering the Much Superior Alternatives
I was quite disappointed with Ballast's Graphic Division review.Not only is the book itself sloppily laid out, and quite incomplete in regard to the information provided within it, there are much better alternatives out there.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Professional - General    3. Study & Teaching    4. Study Aids    5. Study Guides    6. Test Prep    7. Tests