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"Putting the ideas of Modernism into the hands of average architects" and builders has resulted in "architecture done wrong for the past half-century." Architects Mouzon and Henderson explain their "sense of unease" and illustrate a range of do's and don'ts that "give people the tools for getting it right again." In 14 chapters they discuss architectural details ranging from the classical orders to roofs, site work, and signage. Powerful opening chapters set the stage by succinctly discussing architectural history, theory, themes and patterns. The Roman architect Vitruvius is cited, and his themes of commodity, firmness, and delight are expanded for application in reviving the lost language of architecture. The remaining eight chapters are clearly laid out with brief essays on architectural features; these are interspersed with excellent black-and-white photographs. All elements are examined using a technique incorporated into architecture: the transect, an organizing device for developing proper patterns. An illustrated lexicon is also included to educate laypersons in the language, but it is too detailed and selective to be as effective as desired. This is a great companion to Jonathan Hale's The Old Way of Seeing (1994) and the National Park Service's The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation (rev., 1990). Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers: upper-division undergraduates through professionals; two-year technical program students. -- L.B. Sickels-Taves, Eastern Michigan University (Choice )
Product Description
Common errors in details such as poorly proportioned doors and windows not only hurt the visual appeal of traditional buildings, but also undermine its structure and function A hands-on, well-illustrated reference that helps architects and contractors avoid making common errors in traditional construction details Graphical approach allows users to quickly visualize design solutions Lists the rules-of-thumb for each detail, and correct and incorrect examples of how to design or construct each detail (20050301)
This handy, practical resource offers an illustrated, drill-down approach to the rules-of-thumb for details.
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PATTERNS in architecture are much like words in a spoken language. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
PATTERNS in architecture are much like words in a spoken language. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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18 reviews
32 of 38 people found the following review helpful
stinks, pretty much on all accounts
5 Jan 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've stopped writing reviews on Amazon due to their idiotic review policy, but once in a while an item comes across my desk that pushes it just too far.
In this case, it seems like someone needs to put a different spin on this publication.
I've given it ONE star because there is some decent (but limited) information however, both authors and publisher should be ashamed of themselves for even trying to charge a penny for it. After a first section of some drawings of traditional architectural elements, the rest or some 75% of it is DONT's and DO's supported by horrible black and white pictures that might do in the 30's, but should be considered trash for ANY publication, including a daily paper.
Then the DONT's cover some of the ugliest examples in existence and most certainly not worth devoting that much space to it. They are indeed so ugly, that I can't think of any one in the market for a publication of this kind, who would need to see it.
Then you have a chapter 4 on Classical Orders. Makes me wonder what school these authors went to and apparently never heard of a "golden ratio". Not a mention anywhere I can see. At least please, stop calling it a "Classical Orders" chapter, if you don't know the most important find in the name of "classical proportions".
Then they have a go at asphalt shingles and clay tile. Here they display a complete ignorance on the subject, stating for example the ONLY asphalt tile of acceptable shape would be of a diamond shape, and in clay tile they apparently been only to Miami. Gee, people take a trip somewhere, you don't know what you've been missing.
There is of course NO index. Why bother. In fact an index would feel out of place in here.
The bottom line is this: this book has an MSRP of $42, it's soft cover, it's printed on a newspaper level base, it's supported by some of the lowest quality photographs I've seen in ANY book, including those published a century ago. It also falls short in addressing the ACTUAL traditional patterns by devoting an idiotic number of pages to some of the ugliest examples of building structures in existence. If you need this kind of help, you need to change your profession.
This book is everything on how NOT to approach a subject, how NOT to design a book, how NOT to publish it, how NOT to whatever. What a waste.
And remember, the "Look Inside" feature will not show anything you need to (or should) see to make an educated decision.
Those interested in a quality publication on the subject should check out the "Get your house right" by Marianne Cusato. A hard covered book on similar subject but in a superior execution. Better yet, for a LOT less money.
--------------------
UPDATE of my thoughts: I see that 5 star opinions continue to fly in. I feel so strongly about this one-of-the-worst publications I've seen since the great depression, I have only one thing to add: check it out at a library or a bookstore prior to making the purchase. High reviews in here are as out of place as the attempt to charge for it. As another reviewer stated, there ARE much better choices out there on this subject.
In this case, it seems like someone needs to put a different spin on this publication.
I've given it ONE star because there is some decent (but limited) information however, both authors and publisher should be ashamed of themselves for even trying to charge a penny for it. After a first section of some drawings of traditional architectural elements, the rest or some 75% of it is DONT's and DO's supported by horrible black and white pictures that might do in the 30's, but should be considered trash for ANY publication, including a daily paper.
Then the DONT's cover some of the ugliest examples in existence and most certainly not worth devoting that much space to it. They are indeed so ugly, that I can't think of any one in the market for a publication of this kind, who would need to see it.
Then you have a chapter 4 on Classical Orders. Makes me wonder what school these authors went to and apparently never heard of a "golden ratio". Not a mention anywhere I can see. At least please, stop calling it a "Classical Orders" chapter, if you don't know the most important find in the name of "classical proportions".
Then they have a go at asphalt shingles and clay tile. Here they display a complete ignorance on the subject, stating for example the ONLY asphalt tile of acceptable shape would be of a diamond shape, and in clay tile they apparently been only to Miami. Gee, people take a trip somewhere, you don't know what you've been missing.
There is of course NO index. Why bother. In fact an index would feel out of place in here.
The bottom line is this: this book has an MSRP of $42, it's soft cover, it's printed on a newspaper level base, it's supported by some of the lowest quality photographs I've seen in ANY book, including those published a century ago. It also falls short in addressing the ACTUAL traditional patterns by devoting an idiotic number of pages to some of the ugliest examples of building structures in existence. If you need this kind of help, you need to change your profession.
This book is everything on how NOT to approach a subject, how NOT to design a book, how NOT to publish it, how NOT to whatever. What a waste.
And remember, the "Look Inside" feature will not show anything you need to (or should) see to make an educated decision.
Those interested in a quality publication on the subject should check out the "Get your house right" by Marianne Cusato. A hard covered book on similar subject but in a superior execution. Better yet, for a LOT less money.
--------------------
UPDATE of my thoughts: I see that 5 star opinions continue to fly in. I feel so strongly about this one-of-the-worst publications I've seen since the great depression, I have only one thing to add: check it out at a library or a bookstore prior to making the purchase. High reviews in here are as out of place as the attempt to charge for it. As another reviewer stated, there ARE much better choices out there on this subject.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Revolutinary! The equivalent of the "The Chicago Manual of Style" for Architects.
15 Sep 2005
Format:Paperback
This is an EXCELLENT resource. As the Town Architect for a number of new traditional neighborhoods that have decided to continue building in the traditional styles of their region, I review the work of architects, designers and contractors alike for consistency with that tradition. This book never leaves my side.
Some may view its contents as elemental and they would be right. The problem is that too few architects receive this elemental training before receiving their license--as is clearly evident by what gets built around us.
One reviewer expressed disappointment that the book did not contain actual construction details (glad to see the determination to build it right!). Mr. Mouzon's earlier book, 1001 Construction Details, is great--with the accompanying CD, anyone that wants to get these details right should be all set.
Some may view its contents as elemental and they would be right. The problem is that too few architects receive this elemental training before receiving their license--as is clearly evident by what gets built around us.
One reviewer expressed disappointment that the book did not contain actual construction details (glad to see the determination to build it right!). Mr. Mouzon's earlier book, 1001 Construction Details, is great--with the accompanying CD, anyone that wants to get these details right should be all set.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Mediocre Architecture Explained
9 Jan 2007
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Modernism has been the dominant language of architectural schools since the late 1930's. Modernism has never caught on with most of the people who commission architects to design buildigns. They want more traditional buildings that are grounded in America's architectural history. Unfortunately, most architects were not taught to design traditional buildings. As a consequence, America's suburbs are brimming with grotesque Tudors, misshaped bungalows and ackward colonial revival homes.
In this volume, Stephen Mouzon assembles a thousand photographs of architectural details. By concentrating on specific building details, he gives examples of designs that are done correctly and others that are completely fouled up. At times, it is humorous and even a bit tragic to see just how illiterate an architect can be.
I am not an architect. My hobby is to look at architecture. When I come across real train wrecks, it is easy for me to understand why they do not work. However, I often come across buildings that don't work and I have problems putting my finger on what is wrong. This volume is a field guide to all that can go wrong.
Stephen Mouzon's target audience is architects. I would hope that any architect contemplating designing a traditional building will purchase this book. A little bit of study can help spare this country further examples of embarassing architecture. I only wish this book had been written sixty years ago.
In this volume, Stephen Mouzon assembles a thousand photographs of architectural details. By concentrating on specific building details, he gives examples of designs that are done correctly and others that are completely fouled up. At times, it is humorous and even a bit tragic to see just how illiterate an architect can be.
I am not an architect. My hobby is to look at architecture. When I come across real train wrecks, it is easy for me to understand why they do not work. However, I often come across buildings that don't work and I have problems putting my finger on what is wrong. This volume is a field guide to all that can go wrong.
Stephen Mouzon's target audience is architects. I would hope that any architect contemplating designing a traditional building will purchase this book. A little bit of study can help spare this country further examples of embarassing architecture. I only wish this book had been written sixty years ago.
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