Architektur ist nicht allein Ergebnis von technischem und konstruktivem Wissen. Architektur ist Komposition von Volumen und Raumen. Architektur lernen hei?t Sehen lernen und das, was man sieht, analysieren und wiedergeben zu konnen. Raumliche Vorstellungskraft entwickelt sich beim Freihandzeichnen. Flachen- und Farbkompositionen lassen sich auf dem Papier studieren. Licht- und Schattenwirkungen oder dreidimensional geschichtete und geformte Oberflachen lassen sich auch im Kleinen, im Modell erkunden. Das Buch behandelt neben den handwerklichen Darstellungstechniken und Darstellungsmitteln die vielfaltigen Moglichkeiten durch Zeichnen, Malen und skulpturale Gestaltung die Beschaffenheit, Substanz und Struktur des Raumes zu erfassen und wiederzugeben. Read more... ]]>
Cities, initially a product of the manufacturing era, have been thoroughly remade in the image of consumer society. Competitive spending among affluent households has intensified the importance of style and design at every scale and design professions have grown in size and importance, reflecting distinctive geographies and locating disproportionately in cities most intimately connected with global systems of key business services. Meanwhile, many observers still believe good design can make positive contributions to people’s lives.Cities and Design explores the complex relationships between design and urban environments. It traces the intellectual roots of urban design, presents a critical appraisal of the imprint and effectiveness of design professions in shaping urban environments, examines the role of design in the material culture of contemporary cities, and explores the complex linkages among designers, producers and distributors in contemporary cities: for example fashion and graphic design in New York architecture, fashion and publishing in London furniture, industrial design, interior design and fashion in Milan haute couture in Paris and so on.This book offers a distinctive social science perspective on the economic and cultural context of design in contemporary cities, presenting cities themselves as settings for design, design services and the ‘affect’ associated with design. Read more... 
The best projects in the design of country houses around the world are profiled in this architectural and design book. Each project has been selected on the basis of its innovation in the field, making this a highly useful sourcebook for architects, designers, and students of architecture who are looking for creative directions in the design of contemporary country homes. All steps of the design process, from conception to construction, are exhaustively documented and include technical information and commentary contributed by the architects themselves. Read more... 
The popular misconception is that the UNSW Kensington campus has nothing to offer in terms of architectural interest. However, over the past six years the campus has been extensively redeveloped and several award-winning new buildings have been erected. - Most recent among these is The Scientia, which was built to commemorate the university's 50th anniversary in 1999, and which has just been awarded the Sulman Award by the Royal Australian Institute of Architecture (NSW Chapter). - In the same ceremony, UNSW also won the Lloyd Rees Award for civic design for the redevelopment of the Kensington campus and the Institute of Languages Building at the Randwick campus won a commendation in the Environment/EED and ESD Architecture Award. - Other important developments in recent times include the award-winning Quadrangle building, and the University Mall, designed as a focal point for the campus community. - All important buildings, gardens and public art on the Kensington campus are profiled, with details of the buildings' inception, architects and important features. Read more... 
Product Description: "This book is a timely and important tool for the empowerment of communities facing housing deficits.The Red Feather project is extremely important it is truly making a difference."Jane GoodallFor more than a decade the Red Feather Development Group, a volunteer-based organization, has built and repaired straw bale houses for Native Americans. Somewhere along the wayand this was certainly not the planthey created an architectural phenomenon: This inexpensive, environmentally sound, easily constructed, and downright beautiful form of building has, for good reason,caught the public's imagination. Here, Red Feather provides a step-by-step, easy-to-follow manual for would-be strawbale buildersindeed, they supply everything you'll need but time, energy, and lots and lots of straw. Informative sections on safety, design, tools, and materials, and case studies picked from over thirty-five Red Feather projects give a comprehensive overview to straw-bale building.But this book is much more than a construction manual. It is also the inspiring story of Red Feather itself, a tale of community action and cooperation that suggests a can-do solution to the growing housing crisis on America's Native American reservations. Read more... 
Everyone has an idea of their own dream home, whether it be a minimally furnished apartment overlooking a city skyline or an informal and colourful retreat in the sun. Whatever your dream, this bestselling book - now available in paperback for the first time - presents 100 inspirational interiors of all styles from around the globe, from New England to Mallorca and from Provence to South Africa. Alongside the work of many of the world's most talented interior designers are homes that have been imaginatively transformed by the vision and commitment of their owners. Features 100 inspirational homes, the key characteristics of which are compellingly described by leading interiors writer Johanna Thornycroft Stunningly illustrated with over 800 photographs by world-renowned interiors photographer Andreas von Einsiedel An essential reference for anyone wanting to turn their dream home into a reality Read more... 
“According to Roy, underground or `earth-sheltered’ houses are unexpectedly livable. Judging by his book’s attractive pictures, that’s easy to believe. The house he bases his point-by-point guide on is indeed a showplace. Its homey touches are just that, though, and Roy’s main concern is creating such a house, from drawing up the plans to surveying the site to the actual building. Roy’s instruction is insightful and comprehensive….Throughout, he covers construction and installation details that are extremely important for nonprofessionals brave enough to undertakebuilding their own homes.” Read more... 
A new title in the Architectural Design series that explores the potential of computational mathematics in cutting-edge designMathematics has always been a vital tool in the architect's trade, but the last fifteen years have seen a sharp rise in the power of computers and has led to computational abilities far beyond anything previously available. Modern design software and computing power have changed the traditional role of geometry in architecture and opened up new possibilities enabled by topology, non-Euclidean geometry, and other areas of mathematics.With insight from a top-notch list of contributors, including such notables as Philippe Morel and Fabien Scheurer, Mathematics in Space discusses how the advent of computation and information technology has affected the work of contemporary architects.This new title in the Architectural Design series updates architectural mathematics since the digital revolutionWith world-class contributors, this is an essential resource for anyone interested in the ways computation has transformed the disciplineThe book explores fascinating issues in modern design, most importantly the impact of mathematics on contemporary design creativityFor students and practitioners alike, Mathematics in Space covers vital topics in a constantly changing discipline. Read more... 
Product Description: It seems logical that after the disproportionate growth of cities that took place for decades following World War II, a counter-development would occur. And it did! Stagnation of 'urban sprawl' runs parallel to the rediscovery of the country house as a typology able to adapt to the demands of the new century: economy, respect for the environment, use of ecological materials and energy saving. New Country Houses presents a totally new vision of the country house together with plans, construction details and the many innovations and interpretations to which it lends itself. Read more... 
What is a hammer-beam roof? Where does a voissoir fit in an arch? What churches did Nicholas Hawksmoor design? Now architecture students and others interested in the history of the built environment can consult a single reference book to find the answers to these and to hundreds of other questions, quickly and in the form most easily comprehended: clear and logical drawings. There are 2000 drawings in this book covering the history of Western architecture from Egypt through Wright, Saarinen, and Fuller. Read more... 
A gumbo of French, Spanish, and American influences, the architecture of New Orleans has always reflected the city's strong Catholic roots. Indeed, St. Louis Cathedral across from Jackson Square stands as perhaps the most widely recognized face of New Orleans. The cathedral, though, is just one of many stunning churches that beautifully reflect the city's long and diverse Catholic heritage. Splendors of Faith showcases thirteen of these historic churches of exceptional architectural and artistic beauty, revealing scenic treasures that lie mostly beyond the well-worn tourist paths. The earliest of the thirteen, St. Louis Cathedral, traces its origin to 1727. The most recent, Immaculate Conception, was built in 1930 but modeled after its mid-nineteenth-century predecessor. The eleven other churches are Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Holy Name of Jesus, Mater Dolorosa, Our Lady of the Rosary, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Joseph, St. Mary's Assumption, St. Patrick, St. Peter Claver, and St. Stephen. Read more... 
This volume features the projects entered for the 1995 Aga Khan Award for Architecture. An introductory chapter discusses the award and explores spirituality in buildings and contemporary society. The book includes descriptions of the winning designs in Yemen, Tunisia, Pakistan, Senegal and India. Contributors include Charles Jencks, Peter Eisenman and Frank Gehry. Read more... _8_11_2012_1_17_08_AM.jpg)
The greatest challenge in designing homes is negotiating the delicate balance between aesthetics and the personal desires of the occupants. While it’s important for the structure to reflect the vision and style of the architect, the client must ultimately feel at home beneath the roof. It is particularly interesting, therefore, to examine the homes that architects create for themselves. If houses reflect their owners’ personalities, then architects’ own homes are like autobiographies. Location, layout, style, lighting, artwork, furnishings—every detail adds color to the story. Each of these 100 dwellings, presented A-Z by architect, speaks more about its designer than any other building possibly could. Read more... 
Product Description: Good Green Homes is the answer to creating better homes that are healthier to live in, easier on the environment, less expensive over the long-term, and more delightful to come home to. (20031101) Read more... 
Interiors: An Introduction is the starting point for a lifetime of design education, appreciation, and enjoyment. Whether the goal is a career in interior design, or simply a better understanding of how to enhance one's own living space, the information and ideas in this text will help readers achieve it. Interiors offers an introduction to the elements, practice, and aesthetics of residential and nonresidential interior design, as well as their applications. In addition, the authors describe the numerous choices of materials, furnishings, and components used in interior design. Read more... 
A Complete Guide to Masonry Materials and Structural DesignWritten by the former chair of the Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC), this authoritative volume covers the design of masonry structures using the 2009 International Building Code and the 2008 MSJC Code and Specification. Masonry Structural Design emphasizes the strength design of masonry and includes allowable-stress provisions. Innovations such as autoclaved aerated concrete masonry (AAC) are also discussed. Real-world case studies featuring a low-rise building with reinforced concrete masonry and a four-story building with clay masonry illustrate the techniques presented in this comprehensive resource. Coverage includes:Basic structural behavior and design of low-rise, bearing wall buildings Materials used in masonry construction Code basis for structural design of masonry buildings, including seismic design Introduction of MSJC treatment of structural design Strength design of reinforced and unreinforced masonry elements Allowable-stress design of reinforced and unreinforced masonry elements Comparison of design by the allowable-stress approach versus the strength approach Lateral load analysis of shear wall structure Design and detailing of floor and roof diaphragms Read more... 
Interior Design in French Classic Style Read more... 
This book combines the essence of architecture and art, and explores how designers find new ways in which to balance the various contradictions and conflicts and to perfectly express their understanding of space and the owners' initial ideas and requirements. At the same time, each new project always contains many uncertain factors that refer to the furnishings or even space composition. Each of these factors seem to tell a never ending story and records people's feeling of excitement, confusion, recalling and longing. In order to illustrate the essence of interior design in a more accurate way, this book has systematically deconstructed every aspect of interior design that refers to space, structure, interface, decoration as well as special areas. Each aspect is highly detailed and illustrated from the point of functional area, besides, descriptive text and the corresponding plan vividly recur the transformation from plane to space, from the abstract to the intuition. Readers will not only find inspiration from the projects showcased in this book, but will also experience the peculiarity of interior design and enjoy the tactile sensation of the textured space. Read more... 
Urbanization around the world is happening at unprecedented levels. Urban parks are a precious natural environment within our urban setting. Designing them well, to accommodate both the life and development demands of the present while also looking forward to the needs of our future generations and landscapes, requires a comprehensive look at creating healthy ecosystems and prosperous mega cities and how the two can coexist in the twenty-first century. This book includes many world fabulous urban park landscapes. Through comprehensive presentation of pictures, explicit explanation of technical drawings, and detailed descriptions, the book can be a useful tool for designers to gain some inspiration and enlightenment. Read more... 
An Inspired Collection of North America's Finest Interior DesignersA vibrant collection of the design industry’s most illustrious visionaries, this dynamic reference features hundreds of spectacular residential interiors. Capturing the unique voice of each U.S.-based professional, engaging editorial is matched with lush photographs to showcase private commissions ranging from modern expressions saturated with color and unexpected texture to traditional rooms with classic furnishings and all the dramatic interpretations in between. Separated into five regional sections, a diversity of work is displayed from New York’s sophisticated living environments, California’s coastal chic, the graciousness of the South, the warmth of the Midwest, and the desert region’s characteristic mystique. Designer introductions are shared in three languages, offering a global feel. Read more... 
Product Description: Although loft living once meant converting old industrial warehouses, today it has evolved into a style and approach for modern living spaces. This new volume in the Good Ideas series provides more than 50 recent examples of contemporary lofts from around the world, ranging from remodeled industrial buildings to old farmhouses and garages transformed for today's lifestyle. With 800 photographs, Good Ideas: Lofts is an incredible value for anyone who dreams of owning or living in a loft. Read more... 
When you're moving a lifetime's accumulation of belongings from a larger home into a jewel box, the task can seem overwhelming—and so can your emotions. How do you decide what to pack and what to part with? How can you use the things you have so that they function well and look right? Read more... 
The problems with housing today are common knowledge almost the world over. Small apartments, high prices, increasingly heterogeneous families, etc. These problems, which occur especially in urban environments, affect an increasingly high percentage of the population. The aim of Practical Ideas for Small Spaces is to provide readers with practical and manageable ideas to adapt their small homes to the different needs and paces of their lives. A host of images illustrate ideas and practical advice from the use of color to the design of the furniture or lighting. All provide invaluable help when making the most of all corners of the house, giving diverse uses to a single room or better organizing storage space. Read more... 
Excerpts from review by Philip Langdon Judging by its title, you might think Time-Saver Standards for Urban Design would be a source mainly for street widths, sidewalk dimensions, parking ratios, and other matters than can largely be reduced to mathematical calculations. But this six-pound tome with its 960 oversized pages has far broader ambitions. McGraw-Hill calls this volume, "the definitive reference on urban design," and the description doesn't seem to be hyperbole. Donald Watson, former dean of the School of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, with help from Alan Plattus of Yale School of Architecture and Robert Shibley of SUNY-Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning, has assembled a volume containing the most significant urban design writings of the past 106 years. And that's just one of the eight sections in this enormous compilation. In addition to twelve classic texts...readers will find dozens of authoritative recent writings on world urbanization, regionalism, neighborhood planning, bikeways, greenways, universal design, outdoor lighting, way finding, acoustic considerations, and seemingly every other aspect of city-shaping. You can flip from key documents of New Urbanism, including the Charter and the Lexicon, to LeCorbusier's (wrongheaded but fascinating) vision of towers and highways, Clarence Stein's The Radburn Idea, Clare Cooper Marcus's sociological analyses of urban plazas and shared outdoor spaces, and case studies of places such as Se Read more... 
Covering 41 projects from different climatic zones of the country, this book offers detailed insights into the contexts, techniques and benefits of energy efficient buildings. Read more... 
In metropolitan areas across the country, you can hear the laments over the loss of green space to new subdivisions and strip malls. But some city residents have taken unprecedented measures to protect their open land, and a growing movement seeks not only to preserve these lands but to link them in green corridors. Read more... 
Fractal Cities is the pioneering study of the development and use of fractal geometry for understanding and planning the physical form of cities, showing how this geometry enables cities to be simulated throughcomputer graphics. The book explains how the structure of cities evolve in ways which at first sight may appear irregular, but when understood in terms of fractals reveal a complex and diverse underlying order. The book includes numerous illustrations and 16 pages full-color plates of stunning computer graphics, along with explanations of how to construct them. The authors provide an accessible and thought-provoking introduction to fractal geometry, as well as an exciting visual understanding of the formof cities. This approach, bolstered by new insights into the complexity of social systems, provides one of the best introductions to fractal geometry available for non-mathematicians and social scientists. Read more... 
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. Review A Visual Dictionary of Architecture is a remarkable, on-of-a-kind compendium which uses a combination of textual definitions and hundreds of superb line drawings to illuminate a comprehensive body of essential terms in architecture, including important interrelationships between building components. Grouped by themes, such as history, systems, structures, forms, construction, environmental issues, and behavior, all terms have their visual complement and can be readily accessed in a number of different ways. A Visual Dictionary of Architecture is an authoritative source of information for anyone tracking down an elusive word, and a delight for simple armchair browsing! Midwest Book Review From the Inside Flap A Visual Dictionary of Architecture Francis D.K. Ching Here is an opportunity to look at architecture through the mind of Francis D. K. Ching, distinguished architect, author, and illustrator. Architects and students alike will delight in this compendium of definitions and accompanying line drawings, each rendered in Mr. Ching’s signature style. In this unique visual dictionary of architectural terms, Mr. Ching abandons the alphabet, instead clustering terms around 68 basic aspects of arc Read more... 
Introducing the basics of architectural science, this book is an ideal reference, providing an understanding of the physical basis of architectural design. The knowledge gained from this book equips the reader with the tools to realize the full potential of the good intentions of sustainable, bioclimatic design. Read more... 
In the very near future energy-efficient building will cease to be the exception but will be the rule. Whether insulating glazing, multifunctional facades or organic solar cells, there have been important new developments in the areas of solar thermal technology, photovoltaics, heating and ventilation technology which can make a significant contribution to the conservation of natural resources in sustainable building. They are suitable for a wide range of uses from largescale urban-planning projects, to individual single family houses. This publication contains carefully selected articles which cover such essential topics as passive and active systems, the development of new insulating materials, and concepts for entire residential estates. They take into consideration all areas of solar building, providing information on planning methods and techniques which will enable the user to assess and apply the individual measures correctly. Read more... 
Loaded with hundreds of photographs of high-end custom homes, these gorgeous books are a treat for lovers of residential architecture and a resource for people planning to build their own one-of-a-kind houses. Profiles of top architects and information on local builders and suppliers provide an overview of regional styles and preferences in each locality.Highlighting the world's longest freshwater shoreline as an awe-inspiring backdrop, this insightful exploration uses vibrant photography and enlightening editorial to detail the impeccable work of 34 of Michigan's finest architectural firms, including Victor Saroki and Associates and DesRosiers Architects. The guide also examines the organic approach of John Allegretti and the classical design language of Jonathan Lee, among others. Read more... 
We believe that fine soft decoration design should at least be endowed with such qualities as to meet the functional requirements of space, express beauty and its understanding of beauty in the aesthetic ambience and serve as a shocking power emitting art and elegance. Read more... 
The $50 and Up Underground House Book teaches how to build the lowest cost, most sunshine-filled, best ventilated and driest underground houses of all. It teaches how to incorporate greenhouses, root cellars and fallout shelters into an underground home. It covers both hillside and flat land design, and explains how to solve drainage problems with dependable gravity rather then expensive, failure-prone building materials. It also details ways to pass or otherwise deal with the building codes. Read more... 
Let a Team of Leading Architects Take You through 20 Large-Scale, Sustainable Facilities Designed with Green Methods and Materials! A vital working tool for all building professionals interested in green architecture and construction, Sustainable Facilities presents an in-depth look at 20 facilities that were designed for environmental organizations and were constructed and now operate using green building methods and materials. Featuring contributions by leading architects in green building, this expert resource examines each building_from planning through operations covering new construction, energy-efficient design, operational cost savings, historic preservation, renovation and expansion, land conservation, and LEED ratings. Packed with 200 black and white and full-color illustrations, Sustainable Facilities takes readers through the Woods Hole Research Center… Chesapeake Bay Foundation Environmental Center…Conservation Law Foundation Headquarters… Marion Art and Environmental Center… …Thoreau Center for Sustainability… California EPA Headquarters Building…Forestech Centre…Institute for Forestry and Nature Research…and many other facilities. This skills-building reference features: Discussions of 20 facilities_from planning to operations Contributions by leading architects in green building Answers to FAQs about sustainable methods and materials Guidance on the advantages and obstacles involved with green projects Methods for weighing up-front Read more... 
Latin America has been an important place for architecture for many decades. Masters like BarragA?n, Dieste, Lina Bo Bardi, and Niemeyer pointed the way for architectural design all over the world, and they continue to do so today. Their approach to colors, materials, and walls had a deep and lasting influence on architectural modernism. Since then, however and especially in the last fifteen years architecture on the continent has continued to evolve, and a lively and extremely creative architecture scene has developed. The work of Latin American architects and city planners is often guided by social issues, for example, the approach to informal settlements on the outskirts of big cities, the scarcity of housing and public space, the availability of affordable transportation, and the important role of cultural infrastructure such as schools, libraries, and sports facilities as a catalyst for neighborhoods. Within this context, the book considers numerous projects that have prompted discussion and provided fresh impetus all across Latin America. Outstanding projects like the Santo Domingo Library in Medellin, Colombia, by Giancarlo Mazzanti Alberto Kalach s Liceo Franco-Mexicano in Mexico and the works of Alejandro Aravena in Chile show that recent Latin American architecture is more than capable of holding its own beside the works of the founders Read more... 
When decoration becomes the main approach of interior design we develop a higher demand for the mental enjoyment of interior spaces we go beyond the pure functionality of space and comfort. This is when New Art Deco comes to the fore as the foremost avant-garde style of modern interior design.This book highlights the work of six interior designers who talk about their understanding of New Art Deco. Read more... 
And once again our Designer Profiles paints a topical picture of the current design scene in Germany, Austria and Switzerland:Here, the specialists from the various different disciplines present their latest projects and products. And all in order to make sureyou can get an exact idea of their abilities and references!As always, pride of place in the book goes to the designers. And the various profiles are rounded out by interviews that form editorin-chief Gerrit Terstiege conducted specially: A renowned expert comments on each of the various design disciplines. So enjoyreading the conversation with Dieter Rams, Britta Pukall, Franco Clivio and Uwe Bruckner. The easy-to-use index also provides youwith a compilation of all the numerous awards the individual design offices have won. Read more... 
Based on both research and practical experience, the authors of the book offer an alternative methodogical approach to landscape design and planning. The book focuses on issues arising in the Mediterranean region but the principles of the approach can be used as an appropriate theoretical foundation for ecological design and planning elsewhere leading to better sustainable practice and development. Read more... _27.06.2012_17_37_29.jpeg)
The relationship between the exterior and interior is a determining factor in the personality of every home.Terraces are key elements when it comes to endowing living spaces with a deeper, more expansive and open quality. The earliest houses of all, temporary structures made with branches and animal skins, or even the cave dwellings had an outdoor area clearly defined as belonging to the home and in which important domestic activities were undertaken. It was the place for preparing food, cleaning, working and relaxing. Although today’s homes are equipped to accommodate all these activities, the private outdoor area has been retained as an ideal spot for socializing and contemplation, as well as for the strong impression of expansiveness it bestows on the interior area. Over the course of this book, we offer a tour of the various possibilities for terrace design all over the world, in three chapters: urban terraces, country terraces and seaside terraces. Read more... 
Product Description: Straw bale houses are easy to build, affordable, super energy efficient, environmentally friendly, attractive, and can be designed to match the builder’s personal space needs, esthetics and budget. Despite mushrooming interest in the technique, however, most straw bale books focus on “selling” the dream of straw bale building, but don’t adequately address the most critical issues faced by bale house builders. Moreover, since many developments in this field are recent, few books are completely up to date with the latest techniques.More Straw Bale Building is designed to fill this gap. A completely rewritten edition of the 20,000-copy best--selling original, it leads the potential builder through the entire process of building a bale structure, tackling all the practical issues: finding and choosing bales developing sound building plans roofing electrical, plumbing, and heating systems building code compliance and special concerns for builders in northern climates. New material includes:more extensive sections on electric wiring and plumbingupdated sections on bale finishes and finishinga section on prefabricated straw bale wallsa wider selection of case studies, photographs and illustrationsa section on common mistakesbudgeting for low-, medium- and high-cost projects, and new testing data that is in no other straw bale book.Down-to earth and complete, More Straw Bale Building makes the remarkable benefits of straw bale bui Read more... 
Building in Wood construction and Details Building with wood has enjoyed a remarkable revival in recents years. Technically ingenious and aesthetically demanding buildings by architects such as Thomas Herzog or Santiago Calatrava derives their special character from wood. Modern building techniques are enhancing the structural possiblities of this traditionals material and in the context of current ecological debates, woods – the natural and renewable building material – is gaining?even greater importance. Read more... 
The work and philosophies of dozens of the most prominent architects and builders from Texas are featured in this gorgeous collection. Showcasing vibrant photographs and insights about their finest residential creations, top architects and builders discuss their fascinating backgrounds, inspirations, and ideas. With profiles of numerous Lone Star state firms—from Dick Clark, Tyne Sparks, Luis Jauregui and Nickey Oates to Braswell Architecture, Lake Flato Architects, and the Shiftlet Group—this book is the ultimate resource for those looking to build a custom home in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and beyond. Read more... 
If your home needs new sparkle or added style, this book has been designed with you specially in mind. It describes unusual and interesting home improvements carried out by architects, designers and builders, containing many original and striking ideas for giving your home - inside and out - an improved appearance and extra comfort.Over seventy individual cases are looked at, from the sophisticated town house to a rural farm house. Hundreds of colour photographs show you how professional ideas and effort can result in beautiful decor and interior design.Many of the ideas introduced require little money to put into operation, but the effects can be far reaching. Learn how to make the most of colour schemes or the best way of giving a small room a feeling of spaciousness. Or, if you're interested in antiques, you can find out useful ways of keeping them in good condition and how to arrange them for the most eye-catching appearance.Some of the most common problems facing you when starting out on improving your home are dealt with, showing you how they can be overcome to best advantage. This book will give you inspired ideas and practical instructions on how you can make the most of your dwellings whether you live in the country or in town. Read more... 
The book consists of Eight Chapters. Chapter 1 and 2 deal with Analysis and Design of Load Bearing Bricks Masonry Wall and Pillars and their foundations. Chapter 3 deals with Stability and Design of Bricks Masonry Retaining Walls subjected to different types of earth pressure including surcharge. Chapter 4 deals with requirements of Structural Timber and the Permissible Stresses in different grades of timber. Read more... 
Compendium of lofts with sketches of the proposed development or idea in a brief explanation from the authors. English and Spanish. Compendio de lofts con croquis de desarrollo o idea del proyecto en una explicacion breve por parte de sus autores. Read more... 
Product Description: The Whole Building Handbook is a compendium of all the issues and strategies that architects need to understand to design and construct sustainable buildings for a sustainable society. The authors move beyond the current definition of sustainability in architecture, which tends to focus on energy-efficiency, to include guidance for architecture that promotes social cohesion, personal health, renewable energy sources, water and waste recycling systems, permaculture, energy conservation - and crucially, buildings in relation to their place. The authors offer a holistic approach to sustainable architecture and authoritative technical advice, on: * How to design and construct healthy buildings, through choosing suitable materials, healthy service systems, and designing a healthy and comfortable indoor climate, including solutions for avoiding problems with moisture, radon and noise as well as how to facilitate cleaning and maintenance. * How to design and construct buildings that use resources efficiently, where heating and cooling needs and electricity use is minimized and water-saving technologies and garbage recycling technologies are used. * How to 'close' organic waste, sewage, heat and energy cycles. For example, how to design a sewage system that recycles nutrients. * Includes a section on adaptation of buildings to local conditions, looking at how a site must be studied with respect to nature, climate and community structure as well as human activitie Read more... 
Product Description: Architects and Architecture of London is a visual, highly illustrated guide to London's greatest historic buildings and the lives of the architects who designed them. Read about the architectural forefathers of London, such as Inigo Jones and Sir Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor, Robert Adam and John Nash, Butterfield and Street, Blomfield and Lutyens. Learn about those who, in the twentieth century, have helped to form the London we now know, right up to familiar names such as Rogers and Foster. And then there are the others who, in amongst the great and remembered architects, stand as the forgotten majority: talented architects such as Arthur Davis, who designed the Ritz hotel. In the constantly changing patterns of London's architecture, why do some buildings stand as testament to their architect(s), while others obscure their names from history? The book is organised by architect, to provide an easy point of reference for today's designers and students and all those interested in the architectural history of London. Architects and Architecture of London illuminates the city's two thousand year architectural history, through the lives and works of historic architects who remain salient and significant in London's contemporary architectural geography.What the press said about Ken Allinson's London's Contemporary Architecture: An Explorer's Guide:'Highly recommended . . . the book is crammed with maps and colour pictures with clear ex Read more... 
The Architect's Brain: Neuroscience, Creativity, and Architecture is the first book to consider the relationship between the neurosciences and architecture, offering a compelling and provocative study in the field of architectural theory. * Explores various moments of architectural thought over the last 500 years as a cognitive manifestation of philosophical, psychological, and physiological theory * Looks at architectural thought through the lens of the remarkable insights of contemporary neuroscience, particularly as they have advanced within the last decade * Demonstrates the neurological justification for some very timeless architectural ideas, from the multisensory nature of the architectural experience to the essential relationship of ambiguity and metaphor to creative thinking Read more... 
Recent social, political and environmental upheavals have had a two-fold effect on the built environment in Third World countries. They have destroyed the traditional cultural structure in rural areas, which has led to homelessness and the marginalization of entire communities, and large-scale urbanization has become a powerful phenomenon of which the Islamic World is very much a part. Such global changes have had a dramatic impact on the jury for the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, whose selections for 1992 are presented here. The projects selected this year, which address issues relevant to both the developing and developed world, are economically sustainable, humanistic solutions to difficult problems, and generate a new architectural language. They provide a valuable insight into an alternative design approach for both rural and urban environments. Essays by Suha Ozkan of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Mohammed Arkoun, Professor of Islamic Thought at the Sorbonne,Paris, and Arif Hasan, Pakistani architect and planner, place the projects within the context of the major social transition now underway, and an article by the late Hassan Fathy on Contemporaneity in the City provides a historical perspective. Each award-winning project is described in detail by Charles Moore and Selma al-Radi, and they are comparatively reviewed by James Steele, and a brief history of Samarkand, where the awards were presented, completes this volume. Read more... 
Building with earthbags is gutsy. Gutsy because only the brave take up a construction method so different from the conventional. Gutsy because people build homes with this technique when they’ve just learned it. Gutsy because the materials are basic, elemental, primal. And gutsy, indeed, because this construction system resembles, in form and assembly, nothing other than our own intestines! Read more...