architecture contemporary transmaterial

books:

The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge

73 reviews
David McCullough

Simon & Schuster, 1983

Finally a McCullough Book I love
Why is the most effective of all of McCullough's books? He leaves out all those boring and hard to follow quotes and TELLS the story that he is so effective at doing. Yes, it still has more facts than most people would desire, but this being my third book about The Bridge, I can honestly say, I could have saved a lot of time had I just read this one. McCullough's approach is a little ...

Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid

12 reviews
Marianne Cusato, Ben Pentreath, ...

Sterling, 2008

Just what the doctor ordered
I have struggled for years with design issues in the buildings I renovate and (sometimes) modify. It is the "just doesn't look right" syndrome where you spend money and time on what you think is a good idea, but when it's done you can tell it looks goofy, or backwards, or convoluted or something. Well this book is exactly addressed to people like me - indoctrinating the reader to the ...

How to Read Buildings: A Crash Course in Architectural Styles
Carol Davidson Cragoe

Rizzoli, 2008

This practical primer is a handbook for decoding a building’s style, history, and evolution. Every building contains clues embedded in its design that identify not only its architectural style but also the story of who designed it, who it was built for, and why. Organized by architectural element (roofs, doors, windows, columns, domes, towers, arches, etc.), the book is roughly chronological within each section, examining the elements ...

Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students (Design Briefs)

47 reviews
Ellen Lupton

Princeton Architectural Press, 2004

A solid book for type - with a twinge of humor
I like this book a great deal. The next time I have a chance to use this in a class (to teach) I will. There are lots of good examples, the language is clear, and it's not too ethereal or esoteric. I think it's a great introduction to typography and laid out very well.

Detail in Contemporary Residential Architecture: Includes CD-ROM

7 reviews
Virginia McLeod

Laurence King Publishers, 2007

Sets the standard
I've purchased one too many architecture books that have cool buildings with nice photos, overly self-indulgent artistic descriptions, and really not much else that is useful. Despite its title, I was expecting this book to be similar to those other ones, if only perhaps a small step forward in terms of the quality of the information. This book is a giant leap forward compared to most ...

Google SketchUp For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

21 reviews
Aidan Chopra

For Dummies, 2007

Just what the doctor ordered!
This book along with the online videos will get you up and running fast. It's see one, read one, now do one. The online videos are the key to doing the book as sometimes the books doesn't contain all the information for completing the project. So you have to write down the dimensions from the video into the book. This is what I did and I was able to follow along with the book and complete the ...

Hand Job: A Catalog of Type

7 reviews
Michael Perry

Princeton Architectural Press, 2007

The best
I'm a little biased because i am in the book. but it really is something i pick up at least once a week and page through. pops off the shelf. Mike did an awesome job curating this book and all of us in it, owe him many thanks. plus, the title is simply classic.

Green from the Ground Up: Sustainable, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient Home Construction (Builder's Guide)

7 reviews
David Johnston, Scott Gibson

Taunton, 2008

Green From The Ground Up
The book is terrific. It's crystal clear, comprehensive and absolutely practical. Plus it bears a special gift: a million great, color photos and illustrations. They're enormously helpful. David Johnston shows once again that he knows his subject inside and out. I don't know how this book can be topped.

101 Things I Learned in Architecture School

11 reviews
Matthew Frederick

The MIT Press, 2007

Good guide to Architecture Students
The book contains 101 ideas and concepts that are explained through text on one page and a simple -pen and ink- sketch on the opposite page. The concepts discussed vary widely from simple drawing techniques to positions of architectural theory through enlightened ideas of form and space composition. The book is a good use for students specially in 1st and 2nd years. And could work as a good ...

Transmaterial 2: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environment

1 review
Blaine Brownell

Princeton Architectural Press, 2008

Highly Recommended
Cannot recommend this book highly enough - it does a great job of finding cool, interesting, ground breaking materials and then providing information on how to source them. A must-have reference for any designer, interior designer or architect who prides themselves on staying abreast of cutting-edge materials. (And since materials are the palette of the designer this book will go a long way to ...

How To Be a Graphic Designer Without Losing Your Soul

16 reviews
Adrian Shaughnessy

Princeton Architectural Press, 2005

Amazing, But Looking For a Bit More
Amazing book - a great read for any individual who is thinking of defining their place in the Graphic Arts world. You can seriously learn something new or reaffirming from it every time you pick it up. - Don't look for solid examples of what steps to follow, the overview is good, but it being told by somebody who has been in the industry for years and never appeared to have any major struggles ...

The Death and Life of Great American Cities

63 reviews
Jane Jacobs

Vintage, 1992

The triumph of common sense
In an age when architects and planners were spouting all kinds of brave-new-world nonsense (or mindlessly absorbing it, or even worse - building it), Jacobs burst onto the scene with an incredible dose of sanity mixed with common sense and wisdom, carefully observing the urban environment and drawing a host of remarkably sensible conclusions. For some reason we architects seem always at risk of ...

Design Drawing

13 reviews
Francis D. K. Ching

Wiley, 1997

Drafting book for Design Students
While Ching does cover some aspects of drawing outside of those needed for drafting, the primary focus is on architectural drafting. This is a technical book intended for design students. It is not a do-it-yourself learn-to-draw manual. Most often, this book will be a textbook in a design class. As such, it is excellent. The instructions are clear and well written, the drawings are simple ...

Introducing Revit Architecture 2009: BIM for Beginners

1 review
Greg Demchak, Tatjana Dzambazova, ...

Sybex, 2008

Excellent Revit Resource
This is an excellent Revit resource for those new to Revit. In addition to providing precise detailed information on the use of the software the team also lends much of their insight and wisdom as they have used the software for years in the trenches. Great book!

Chicken Coops: 45 Building Plans for Housing Your Flock

25 reviews
Judy Pangman

Storey Publishing, LLC, 2006

Chicken Coops
This book has all kinds of chicken coops, whether you are on a large farm or just a small lot. It shows what you need and how to build them. This is an excellent book to get started at raising chickens.

Graphic Design: The New Basics

5 reviews
Ellen Lupton, Jennifer Cole Phillips

Princeton Architectural Press, 2008

excellent for learning!
this is the book i've always wanted to share with beginning graphic design students: a clear, articulated description of design principles for postmodern students. it defends enduring principles from the bauhaus, and introduces new ways of thinking about gd basics as transferrable skills.

Atomic Ranch: Design Ideas for Stylish Ranch Homes

21 reviews
Michelle Gringeri-Brown

Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 2006

Not your ordinary Ranch book
God Bless the folks at Atomic Ranch! I have been a subscriber to the Magazine for over 2 years now and have been dying to get the book. Finally, after a couple of strong hints, my wife got it for me for my birthday. This book is chock full of beautiful photographs of incredible mid-century masterpieces. Some are preserved, some restored, and some modernized. If this is your thing, (and I doubt ...

Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises

18 reviews
Architecture for Humanity

Metropolis Books, 2006

INCREDIBLE
Okay, so I havent actually read the book but Cameron Sinclair came to my school a month ago to give a lecture based on the book. It was one of the most motivating and perspective changing experiences that Ive ever had. It gave me a totally new perspective on architecture. People in studio were pinning up signs on their boards that said "Design Like You Give a Damn." Cameron Sinclair is an amazing ...

AutoCAD 2009 & AutoCAD LT 2009 Bible
Ellen Finkelstein

Wiley, 2008

Even Autodesk developers keep this book on hand! Eight previous editions of fans ranging from novices to Autodesk insiders can't be wrong. This bestselling, comprehensive guide is your best, one-stop, go-to guide for everything you'll need to master AutoCAD. Whether you're an AutoCAD veteran exploring what's new or a novice seeking to start with the basics and progress to advanced programming, every feature is covered. Start drawing ...

Architectural Graphics

17 reviews
Francis D. K. Ching

Wiley, 2002

Architectural Graphics, et al - excellent books, DECEPTIVE advertising
Get your act together Amazon or Wiley (I suspect Wiley) !!! (especially, note my final paragraph below) 1. This is NOT a hardback. 2. The "et al" is because this is NOT a single volume as suggested by the single ISBN 0471738263, but a COLLECTION of 3 PAPERBACKS - Architectural Graphics 4th ed ISBN 0471209066 (note different ISBN from that for the 3-volume set cited under only Ching's book ...

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