3 comments about Prefab Prototypes: Site-Specific Design for Offsite Construction.

1. The craft of this book is as enhancing as many other that have won awards over the past decades. I personally have been trained to view things at the tectonic level and the technical pages coordinate wonderfully with the graphic pages. The Andersons have a very nice way of depicting there key elements within each project.
   
   If you're looking for some precedents of Pre-Fabrication projects that literally are site specific, modular, green and even custom this is a perfect book and you will be very happy with your investment. From the choice of colors to how they label the diagrams makes understanding the project very nice.
   
   Good job and thanks



2. This book goes above and beyond the typical prefab picture book. The images are not only compelling but are informative in a way that brings clarity to someone who wants to have a better understanding of how prefabrication actually works. The Andreson's passion for design, experimentation, and progress is truly inspiring. As a young professional it is good to see a smaller firm doing interesting work. The book is very detailed, and provides clear diagrams of connections and materials. You can see very easily how it all comes together. The one thing I would have liked to know more about is (on a project by project basis) how exactly the prefabrication process takes place. It is not clear how the architect and prefabricators interact as far as collaborating on a set of documents that gets the building or project built. Perhaps that is thier proprietary secret, or perhaps it is too boring for a handsome architecture book. You can only put so much information in one book, and this one is filled to the brim.



3. This book is gorgeous. Excellently written with amazing axonometric drawings of provocative projects. In a word, the drawings are luscious. It's no wonder these guys are winning competitions left and right.

4 comments about Green Architecture (Architecture & Design).

1. Lots of ideas,concepts,inspirations at 1/10 the price. Well worth the money towards architectural environmental consciousness.
   However the discussion remains as an introduction without too much depth into project details



2. At first glance this seems like an excellent introduction to green architecture. James Wines has assembled an impressive collection of photographs of some of the eco-architecture that has been built over the past 30 years. But, a closer examination reveals numerous holes in the narrative. Wines has put together a grab bag of ideas that held my attention but left me scratching my head as to why he left so many important architects out of his survey, and included some of rather dubious distinction.

   Wines holds Frank Lloyd Wright paramount in his pantheon of ecologically-minded architects, alluding to his concepts of "The Natural House" and "Organic Architecture," as virtually the only texts written on eco-architecture at the height of the Modern movement. Wines likes Wright more for his aesthetic vision of ecologically sensitive architecture than for any great technological innovations in the field of eco-architecture. Wines laments the fact that eco-architecture is driven too much by the latest technology, and not enough by aesthetic concerns.

   He brushes over the Modern movement, which did offer a number of technological innovations, such as Buckminister Fuller's Dymaxion House and geodesic dome, and did explore traditional patterns in design, as in the work of Aldo Van Eyck, who was a contributing editor for Shelter. Wines wrote off Le Corbusier, ignoring the architect's later work, which was very site specific.

   However, the most glaring omissions are contemporary architects like Ralph Erskine, Glenn Murcutt, Samuel Mockbee, and Ken Yeang who have all given a great deal of consideration to environmentally responsive architecture. You certainly can't call them "eco-freaks," as their work has been readily accepted by the mainstream architectural community.

   But, Wines does offer a number of engaging examples from which to draw from, including his own work with SITE. Perhaps the most interesting examples are the "prophetic visions" such as an Ozone-maker by Jeffrey Miles, seemingly inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, and Michael Sorkin's "Shroom," which has a wonderful kinetic quality like that of Kiesler's "Endless House." Great photos and illustrations, but read this book with grain of salt.




3. This book questions the way architecture affects the environment, and encourages architects to ask the (W)right questions themselves to help remedy their destructive ways. I am disappointed that certain architects where left out of this book, for example there was one photo of a Malcolm Wells house, but no essay was done on him!? An essay on earthships would have fit into this book nicely also. I could go on, and on about all the Green Architects that where left out, maybe the author will include more with a new version 10 years from now. You need to be careful that you question all that the author tells you. For example the author seems convinced that Christians are bent on destruction because of their belief that the earth was made for them, therefore they have the right to destroy it, but in reality the Christian's point of view is just the opposite in that the earth was made for them so therefore it is their duty to protect it. What's with the photo taken in B.C. Canada, I never knew there where palm trees in Canada!? I bought this book for some of it's photos of unusual looking buildings, but have discovered there is allot more to the book than photo's. Read it, enjoy it, question it, question yourself.



4. Our basic way of thinking and living must change in order for the human species to survive and evolve on a sustainable planet. We already possess the knowledge and the technology to rebuild paradise on earth. We now need a growing, global conciousness and the wisdom necessary to move forward.

   This book gives an excellent historical and philosophical account on the shifts of human settlements and explains the imperative necessity of a change in attitude towards our built environment and its intrinsic relationship with its natural context.

   Many examples and a variety of projects, attitudes, perspectives, and approaches to the environmental problems back Mr. Wines view that there is no alternative, that a green architecture must become a basic constant and not remain a mere superficial trend.

2 comments about Interior Construction & Detailing for Designers and Architects, Third Edition.

1. Has lots of tables and charts, and is adequately explained. The author also writes study guides for standardized architecture tests, and that pretty much sums up the style: no opinions, just facts. Very thorough though. Personally I don't need a whole chapter on locks, but I suppose there are those who do. Presentation and graphics are a bit low-rent for an architecture book.



2. This book should be on the shelves of every interior designer- it's so thorough that it's a little cumbersome at first. It should be used as a reference book, it gives chapter-by-chapter explanations on the specifics for the construction and application of windows, casegoods, partitions, etc. If there is ever any doubt in a designers mind as to how exactly something is constructed or works when it comes to the specifics of interior design, this book's for you.

3 comments about Masonry Design and Detailing.

1. If you want to build more than a backyard wall or barbeque, the information contained here will put you on the right track. Most masons will follow a building plan, but this book gives the framework for the plans. This text will cover in depth structural design and problem solving associated with layout, material, and construction of masonry structures.



2. As the previous reviewer, I also am a structural engineer and have not found the book to be very useful for my line of work. It does have some nice details and empirical information that would probably be useful for architects and contractors.



3. I found the masonry details to be very good in showing how a masonry building goes together and as such would be very good for Architects and Contractors. However, as a Structural Engineer I was looking for a book with more detail regarding the design methods and equations. I was looking for a book that would teach a beginning engineer the basics of masonry design. After the engineer had mastered the basics and could design a masonry building using the equations then, with that understanding and experience, could make use of the design tables in this book.

   We have this book in our library and I can say that it is seldom used. We design masonry buildings using hand calculations, the UBC and computer programs.

   Bottom line is that this book is great for Architects and Contractors building small masonry structures. It is not as useful for the serious Structural engineer.

No comments about In Detail: High-Density Housing: Concepts, Planning, Construction (In Detail (englisch)).

5 comments about Commercial Metal Stud Framing.

1. I am a practicing structural engineer. I have designed many light gage frames and seen them built in countless time. I have used custom structural details or typical details from SSMA. This book is a good reference book which summarizes what really happens out in the field. I remember when I came out of school as a green engineer, I sometime received comments like "your detail does not work", "it's always different in reality than what you draw in office". I wished there is a book out there to show me what the installer was thinking and how the frames were put together in reality. I finally found this book after several years. It shows, in step by step, how to install load bearing/non-load bearing stud walls, soffit, headers, interior partition walls w/ defl. tracks, etc. A lot of pictures to illustrate the installation procedures and contractor terms, such as 'dog ear', 'shoe cut', etc.
   
   I have to admit that there are some structural terms in the book that were incorrect, such as it refers precast-prestressed double T system as "truss system" as page 16; but overall, the book was well written in simple and clear format. Certainly, this book is not intended to teach you how to design light gage framing. So, if you are looking for a book to show you the formulas or engineering mechanics of light gage design, this is not the book for you.
   
   I recommend this book to all practicing structural engineers who desires to know every detail of how light gage framing get built in reality, especially those that you draw in your drawings, and typical details that you have seen for thousands of time.



2. This is a great beginner book for anyone wishing to get into metal framing. It covers all your basic cuts as well as the basic methods for leveling, plumbing and squaring. This book tells you how to build various walls, soffits, chases as well as introduce one to various headers and layout techniques. I used this book to educate myself on metal framing but discovered quickly, that when you do it in the field, it is not always as easy as it may seem in the book. Having said that, if you understand plumb, level and square then you can probably adapt to just about anything in the field with the techniques shown in the book.



3. I was looking for a book to help me complete an architectural drawing for office partition wall framing with metal studs. I found this book is not written for readers who want to find details in architectural drafting and design of metal stud framing in order to comply with commercial building codes.



4. The author admits he wrote this book to assist with classroom teaching. As an additional explanation to a teacher explaining it, the book would be great. The problem is his explanations are hard to follow and the picture angles and lighting make it hard to see many of the details he refers to. I ended up skimming the book for good basic ideas. He obviously is very knowledgable in the field.



5. I am a general contractor that needed good and reliable information on metal framing. This book is well worth the money and has allowed me teach in house crews how to properly work with metal framing components. This book shows a variety of procedures and a lot of "tricks" of the trade. I can honestly say that this book will take you from zero knowledge to actually being able to frame a decent size job starting with proper layout and moving onto framing around obstacles and a variety of different things like headering doors and windows, framing soffits, framing for suspended drywall ceilings, furred walls, interior and exterior walls, etc.
   
   This book has saved me hours of time right after I read it and started applying the information. My crews can cost me over $100/hr when they stand around trying to figure out something or have to redo work. Having them read this book before a job has saved hundreds of dollars and has produced a much better end product than we have had in the past.
   
   If you are new to metal stud framing, you need this book.

1 comments about Facade Construction Manual (Construction Manuals (englisch)).

1. excellent reference manual as all the books from the DETAIL series,... very recommended

4 comments about Glass Construction Manual (Construction Manuals (englisch)).

1. Excellent book, very thorough: from history of glass, through technical and mechanical characteristics, to most contemporary applications, and all illustrated with well chosen examples and details.



2. This is a complete compendium of engineering information for the most typical use of glass--as a window. Everything needed to analyze a building's energy budget--at least for the German climate--is presented and well explained, as is daylighting. Atria and double leaf facades are discussed at the end to summarize the principles. There is also a comprehensive section on the mechanical properties of glass: resistance to wind loads, how to attach it, etc.
   Only downside is the quality of the translation (I assume), which results in an occasional unusual sentence: "As no energy can be lost from the total system, the balance of the incident energy must be able to be resolved mathematically."
   Nothing that impairs understanding though.



3. This is one of the better books that I have seen on the topic of curtain wall design. It is full of very accurate amd well explained techincal information as well labeled details. The project section is a comprehensive study of some of the most complex curtain walls built. This section is full of detail drawings and color images of the built details. This is a MUST HAVE book for anyone working on complex wall systems, or anyone interested in the state of the art in curtain wall design.



4. This is one of the better books that I have seen on the topic of curtain wall design. It is full of very accurate amd well explained techincal information as well labeled details. The project section is a comprehensive study of some of the most complex curtain walls built. This section is full of detail drawings and color images of the built details. This is a MUST HAVE book for anyone working on complex wall systems, or anyone interested in the state of the art in curtain wall design.

2 comments about Building with Earth: Design and Technology of a Sustainable Architecture.

1. The Hand-Sculpted House: A Philosophical and Practical Guide to Building a Cob Cottage (The Real Goods Solar Living Book)
   This is a great book..artistic and creative as well as practical. Lots of hands on information



2. This Gernot Mink's book is a great purchase. Its a practical technician book, with all needed information about buinding with loan, clavey soil, prefabricated panels, etc.. I think it is designed to builders and architects, but it is very easy to understand and can be read by everyone.

1 comments about Concrete Architecture.

1. An ideal book that lent us all kinds of possibilities for the design of our new home. The full page photos and simple floor plan drawings made this book very valuable to our architect and interior designer. It was a terrific way of conveying what we liked and envisioned. Concrete, who would have ever thought of a resurgence? We're glad it's surfaced again