RICE'S ARCHITECTURAL PRIMER covers the grammar and vocabulary of British buildings, explaining the evolution of styles from Norman castles to Norman Foster. Its aim is to enable the reader to recognise, understand and date any British building. As Matthew Rice says, 'Once you can speak any language, conversation can begin, but without it communications can only be brief and brutish. The same is the case with Architecture: an inability to describe the component parts of a building leaves one tongue-tied and unable to begin to discuss what is or is not exciting, dull or peculiar about it.' RICE'S ARCHITECTURAL PRIMER will explain the language of architecture. With it in your hand, pocket or car, buildings will break down beguilingly into their component parts, ready for inspection and discussion. There will be no more references to that curly bit on top of the thing with the square protrusions. Ungainly and inept descriptions will be a thing of the past and, fluent in the world of volutes, hood moulds, lobed architraves and bucrania, you will be able to leave a cathedral or country house with as much to talk about as a film or play.R ICE'S ARCHITECTURAL PRIMER starts with an explanation of the basic 'Grammar' of buildings: elevation, plan, roof, gable and eave. This will enable the reader to better make use of what is to follow. It will also cover the Orders of Architecture - Doric, Tuscan, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite - so that the vital basics of Classicism are covered. Following this is the 'Vocabulary'. This will be a chronological reference section covering, period by period, the windows, doors and doorcases, columns, chimneys, arches, balustrades and pediments that make up the built environment.
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About the Author
Matthew Rice is a writer and illustrator who thought he knew lots about British architecture until he started to write and illustrate this book. His message to readers is, if you want to understand a building, sit in front of it and draw it. You might also have seen his work in Country Life, on his own calendar or on much of his wife Emma Bridgewater's pottery. He lives in Oxford and Norfolk.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 42 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
For anyone who is interested in houses this would make the perfect gift. On nice creamy paper it gives you a series of pen-and-wash drawings, with notes and bits of text, of houses (and churches, castles, manors and the like) with all those bits named; in a way that even the novice (like me) can understand. Just after reading it I can casually discuss string courses and pediments, mullions and transoms, oriels and pilaster; and even quoins and ogival cuspings. And what's more, it explains/shows it all in a way that is easygoing, very visual, and totally user-friendly.
It is subdivided into grammar (the recurrent terms), a vocabulary (that is the main part), a chapter on examples (like Castle Drogo, the Gem Cinema in Yarmouth, St Mary's in Beverley, the post office tower), and a chapter on materials (including a brilliant page on various brickwork styles).
A lovely little book. Makes a great gift if you're visiting someone; but you'd want a copy for yourself, too!
It is subdivided into grammar (the recurrent terms), a vocabulary (that is the main part), a chapter on examples (like Castle Drogo, the Gem Cinema in Yarmouth, St Mary's in Beverley, the post office tower), and a chapter on materials (including a brilliant page on various brickwork styles).
A lovely little book. Makes a great gift if you're visiting someone; but you'd want a copy for yourself, too!
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Rice's Architectural Primer
Almost totally composed of delightful ink and wash drawings, this book is worth buying just for the enjoyment of these alone. Then there's the cartoon characters which appear every so often. Such as the "Victimised Smoker" banished to stand outside the office porch for his cigarette whilst leaning against the "blocked architrave".
The book is written by Matthew Rice and my only criticism is - I would like to have known a little bit about him. All I can find is a reference to "My teacher" - but that person could have taught him the banjo for all we are told.
A great book. Thoroughly recommended.
Brain Willis
Almost totally composed of delightful ink and wash drawings, this book is worth buying just for the enjoyment of these alone. Then there's the cartoon characters which appear every so often. Such as the "Victimised Smoker" banished to stand outside the office porch for his cigarette whilst leaning against the "blocked architrave".
The book is written by Matthew Rice and my only criticism is - I would like to have known a little bit about him. All I can find is a reference to "My teacher" - but that person could have taught him the banjo for all we are told.
A great book. Thoroughly recommended.
Brain Willis
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By kenzi
Format:Hardcover
I didn't know i needed this book until it arrived in the post, but after reading it, it became plain that i had been walking around for years with my eyes shut. This is a wonderful little book perfect for young students needing information on architecture to older people like me who just want to wander around our towns and cities and understand what we are seeing. The illustrations are clear detailed and very easy on the eye, I loved this book. JudeH
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good introduction to subject
A good fun book and well presented. Good value and plenty of information clearly presented and illustrated. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Richard Cooper
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful book, but could be much easier to use
This is a beautifully produced book on good quality paper. The author's illustrations are very attractive and occasionally witty; the text is clear. Read more
Published 2 months ago by S.N. Charliss
4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid introduction to architectural styles
A nice, easy to read pocket book that clearly identifies the periodic architectural styles and helps the reader understand the fundamental features of achitectural history.
Published 3 months ago by Thomas Ellis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous!
An absolutely beautiful book. Good quality paper and printing, really nicely bound and the author's illustrations are just lovely. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Agatha
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great introduction to architectural language
This is the sort of book that you read and then keep dipping into, it is crammed with architectural detail beautifully drawn and described. Read more
Published 10 months ago by mica
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rice's Architectural Primer
Rice's Architectural Primer For those who follow Time Team or have an avid but novice's interest in the history of British architecture this book is an absolute must. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Angelltoes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Architecture for the intelligent but ignorant
Do you want to be able to tell your crocket from your finial? This book will help you. It is short on words but heavy on illustration. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Carole Tucker
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Book
This is a most pleasing book which will open your eyes to beautiful buildings all around us. It makes architecture real, the drawings and colours are lovely with amusing... Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2011 by Sue Bullock
5.0 out of 5 stars
another gem
another lovely sketches rice book. gosh, it is so beautiful. it makes the book interesting to read. love it.
Published on 26 Mar 2010 by kekhei
3.0 out of 5 stars
An attractive book of watercolours
The book is a visual feast, many pages of watercoloured architectural illustrations interspersed with pages of historical events viewed from the architects perspective. Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2010 by G. Mullett
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