Louis Kahn: Essential Texts


Louis I. Kahn - 2003
    Professor Twombly's introduction and headnotes offer incisive commentary on the texts.

Non-Places: Introduction to an Anthropology of Supermodernity


Marc Augé - 1992
    This invasion of the world by what Marc Auge calls ‘non-space’ results in a profound alteration of awareness: something we perceive, but only in a partial and incoherent manner. Auge uses the concept of ‘supermodernity’ to describe the logic of these late-capitalist phenomena—a logic of excessive information and excessive space. In this fascinating and lucid essay he seeks to establish and intellectual armature for an anthropology of supermodernity. Starting with an attempt to disentangle anthropology from history, Auge goes on to map the distinction between place, encrusted with historical monuments and creative social life, and non-place, to which individuals are connected in a uniform manner and where no organic social life is possible.Unlike Baudelairean modernity, where old and new are interwoven, supermodernity is self-contained: from the motorway or aircraft, local or exotic particularities are presented two-dimensionally as a sort of theme-park spectacle. Auge does not suggest that supermodernity is all-encompassing: place still exist outside non-place and tend to reconstitute themselves inside it. But he argues powerfully that we are in transit through non-place for more and more of our time, as if between immense parentheses, and concludes that this new form of solitude should become the subject of an anthropology of its own.

Modern Architecture: A Critical History


Kenneth Frampton - 1980
    Now revised, enlarged and expanded, Kenneth Frampton brings the story up to date and adds an entirely new concluding chapter that focuses on four countries where individual talent and enlightened patronage have combined to produce a comprehensive and convincing architectural culture: Finland, France, Spain and Japan. The bibliography has also been reviewed and extended, making this volume more indispensable than ever.

The Tyrants


Clive Foss - 2006
    It presents a chronology of the moments in history when the principles of government and law were corrupted by the vanity of the ambitious and unscrupulous.

Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods


Edward Allen - 1986
    The best-selling reference focuses on the basic materials and methods used in building construction. Emphasizing common construction systems such as light wood frames, masonry bearing walls, steel frames, and reinforced concrete, the new edition includes new coverage of green design and energy-efficient construction energies, and is based on the International Building Code(r).

A Place of My Own: The Education of an Amateur Builder


Michael Pollan - 1997
    Now Pollan turns his sharp insight to the craft of building, as he recounts the process of designing and constructing a small one-room structure on his rural Connecticut property--a place in which he hoped to read, write and daydream, built with his two own unhandy hands.Invoking the titans of architecture, literature and philosophy, from Vitrivius to Thoreau, from the Chinese masters of feng shui to the revolutionary Frank Lloyd Wright, Pollan brilliantly chronicles a realm of blueprints, joints and trusses as he peers into the ephemeral nature of "houseness" itself. From the spark of an idea to the search for a perfect site to the raising of a ridgepole, Pollan revels in the infinitely detailed, complex process of creating a finished structure. At once superbly written, informative and enormously entertaining, A Place of My Own is for anyone who has ever wondered how the walls around us take shape--and how we might shape them ourselves.A Place of My Own recounts his two-and-a-half-year journey of discovery in an absorbing narrative that deftly weaves the day-to-day work of design and building--from siting to blueprint, from the pouring of foundations to finish carpentry--with reflections on everything form the power of place to shape our lives to the question of what constitutes "real work" in a technological society.A book about craft that is itself beautifully crafted, linking the world of the body and material things with the realm of mind, heart, and spirit, A Place of My Own has received extraordinary praise.

The City Shaped: Urban Patterns and Meanings Through History


Spiro Kostof - 1991
    Widely used by both architects and students of architecture, The City Shaped won the AIA's prestigious book award in Architecture and Urbanism. With hundreds of photographs and drawings that illustrate Professor Kostof's innovative ideas, this has become one of the most important works on urbanization.

Flea Market Chic


Liz Bauwens - 2012
    And in traditional decorating schemes, fleamarket chic is a key part of the mix: faded textiles, weathered furniture, mis-matched china, and the occasional flamboyant lamp or work of art are all part of the charm. Of course, Fleamarket Chic is about saving you money, along with recycling, upcycling, and repurposing. But it’s also about a sense of history and place, about individuality, and creating a home that reflects your life and personality. Every piece in a Fleamarket Chic interior has a story: the colorful pitcher you found at a garage sale, the vintage telephone you reclaimed when a favorite aunt finally bought a modern handset, the little chair you found in a county junk store, or the old trash cans that have been converted into fashionable zinc planters. In Fleamarket Chic, we’ll show you how to spot the clever find in a pile of junk, where to look and how to negotiate, how to smarten up (and when not to smarten up) second-hand items, and how to re-discover and re-use things you or your family already have.

Space: Japanese Design Solutions for Compact Living


Michael Freeman - 2004
    A photographic exploration of Japanese architecture and design in size-constricted areas explores imaginative, ingenious, and revolutionary solutions to space-compromised living.

Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning


Joseph De Chiara - 1991
    But now,Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning,Second Edition goes even further to truly make the classic interior design reference the standard in its field. From standard furniture dimensions to architectural woodwork details,you'll find a vast array of time-saving data and details. Editors Joseph DeChiara,Julius Panero,and Martin Zelnik have brought together contributions from well-known architectural and interior design firms to give you details derived from actual designs and working drawings,showing various solutions for typical design problems encountered in interior architecture. You get a wide range of typical layouts and residential spaces,offices,conference rooms,and reception areas,in addition to details of bars,restaurants,and public toilets. This exciting new edition includes new international examples and metrification — and provides you with full coverage of healthcare spaces,educational spaces; home offices; videoconferencing spaces; green design; project forms and schedules. Two outstanding sections cover historic styles and woodworking. Interior architectural details,planning standards,and reference data,for use by architects,interior designers,space planners,facility managers,builders,and design students. Long recognized as one of the most comprehensive architectural and interior design reference resources and known as "the silver bible,"this new edition of Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning is an excellent source of easily accessible design criteria,planning standards,and technical guidelines. The vast array of design information,all contained in a single volume,facilitates and expedites the completion of programming,preliminary planning,design development,and working drawing services. This updated and revised edition of Time-Saver Standards for Interior Design and Space Planning serves as a primary source of information for all design professionals. Organized in an easily accessible format,the book contains key criteria useful to every design professional and builder involved in the planning of a large variety of interior projects. It includes,among other changes,entirely new sections dealing with healthcare spaces,hospitality spaces,banking spaces,conference centers,and accessible design,featuring the latest ADA design requirements. Moreover,many of the existing sections of the book have been significantly expanded to include such new material as design and planning criteria for video-conference spaces,as well as a host of additional lighting design details,workstation configurations,and reference standards. *Accessible Design*ADA*Architectural Woodwork*Audio-Visual Systems*Auditoriums*Banking Spaces*Bars & Restaurants*Bedrooms*Ceiling Types & Details*Classrooms*Closets*Coat Rooms*Conference Centers & Rooms*Construction Details/Interiors*Department Stores*Dining Rooms*Elevators*Fabrics & Furniture*Floor & Wall Coverings*Furniture Hardware *Healthcare Facilities*Home Offices*Hotel Rooms & Suites*Human Factors*Indoor Recreation*Institutional Interiors*Interior Architecture*Kitchens*Libraries*Lighting*Marble Finishes*Mathematical Tables & Formulas*Motels*Nurseries*Offices & Office Planning*Partition Types*Planning Standards*Primary Care Centers*Programming Standards*Ramps*Reference Standards*Residential Design*Restaurants*Retail Spaces*Revolving Doors*Shops*Signage & Graphics*Space Planning*Stairs & Ramps*Stores*Theaters*Universal Design*Wheelchair Lifts*Window Treatments*Wood Veneer Finishes

Tree Houses: Fairy Tale Castles in the Air


Philip Jodidio - 2012
     Childhood fantasy meets grown-up savoir faire   The idea of climbing a tree for shelter, or just to see the earth from another perspective, is surely as old as humanity. Tree houses are chronicled in ancient civilizations and their lore crosses through the history of every part of the world where trees grow. This stunningly-illustrated study offers a tour of the best tree houses in the world, some designed by architects, others the work of unknown craftsmen. A teahouse, a restaurant, a hotel, a playhouse for children, or a perch from which to contemplate life—the tree house can take as many forms as the imagination can offer. In times of concern for sustainability and ecological responsibility, the tree house may also be the ultimate symbol of life in symbiosis with nature. Whether rustic or contemporary in style, tree houses make the most of space. Climb into this trove of tree houses and enjoy a new perspective on the world.   50 tree houses from around the world Covers all different styles, from romantic to modern Every house is depicted in several photos as well as one illustration byartist Patrick Hruby from Los Angeles (who also created the book’s cover artwork) Helpful short biographies of all architects

Love the House You're In: 40 Ways to Improve Your Home and Change Your Life


Paige Rien - 2016
    Decorating your home can be daunting and overwhelming, but here’s the secret: If you want to love your house, the inspiration and ideas need to come from you. Love the House You’re In provides the tools to do just that. Through 40 actionable steps, you will:   • Explore your life story: Mine your life for those things that inspire nostalgia and create a positive connection to memories, explore your family’s heritage, and be conscious of how you want to live now.   • Understand what you’re working with: Take stock of your stuff, understand the history of your home, and get clear on the space you have.   • Create an inspired action plan: Discover how to approach design room-by-room, find the through-line that ties the whole house together, and work in ways that empower your own ideas and creativity.   • Learn the design skills that matter: Get tips on picking paint colors, choosing window dressings, arranging art, and more.When you start decorating your home with you as the starting point, you can create a highly personalized space that reflects your past, your future, and how you want to live today. In the process, you’ll gain the confidence and inspiration to come up with a functional and fabulous living space that’s just right for you and your life.

Earth-Sheltered Houses: How to Build an Affordable...


Rob Roy - 2006
    It describes the benefits of sheltering a home with earth, including the added comfort and energy efficiency from the moderating influence of the earth on the home’s temperature (keeping it warm in the winter and cool in the summer), along with the benefits of low maintenance and the protection against fire, sound, earthquake, and storm afforded by the earth. Extra benefits from adding an earth or other living roof option include greater longevity of the roof substrate, fine aesthetics, and environmental harmony.The book covers all of the various construction techniques involved, including details on planning, excavation, footings, floor, walls, framing, roofing, waterproofing, insulation, and drainage. Specific methods appropriate for the inexperienced owner/builder are a particular focus and include:Pouring one’s own footings and/or floor The use of dry-stacked (surface-bonded) concrete block walls Post-and-beam framing Plank-and-beam roofing Drainage methods and self-adhesive waterproofing membranes The time-tested, easy-to-learn construction techniques described in Earth-Sheltered Houses will enable readers to embark upon their own building projects with confidence, backed up by a comprehensive resources section that lists all the latest products such as waterproofing membranes, types of rigid insulation, and drainage products that will protect the building against water damage and heat loss.Rob Roy is a former contractor with 27 years of experience and 12 previous books to his credit, including Cordwood Building and Timber Framing for the Rest of Us. An expert on underground building, he founded the Earthwood Building School in 1981 with his wife, Jaki, and is frequently a speaker at events throughout North America.

The Bee Cottage Story: How I Made a Muddle of Things and Decorated My Way Back to Happiness


Frances Schultz - 2015
    As she figures out each room over a period of years, Frances finds a new path in life, also a continual process. She comes to learn that, like decorating a home, our lives must adapt to who we are and what we need at different points along the way.The Bee Cottage Story is part memoir, part home decorating guide. Frances discusses the kinds of useful, commonsense design issues professionals take for granted and the rest of us just may not think of, prompting the reader to examine and discover her own “truth” in decorating—and in her life.

Perfect English Cottage


Ros Byam Shaw - 2009
    Bestselling author Ros Byam Shaw takes a fresh look at this perennially appealing style, which she divides into five chapters: Character, Holiday, Romance, Simplicity, and Elegance. The featured homes are incredibly varied, from a tiny house with exposed beams to a pared-down Georgian gem, to a picture-perfect cottage with roses over the door—and plenty more adorning the interior. Each section ends with a Get The Look page devoted to ideas for recreating the style in your own home.