A Visual Dictionary of Architecture

by Francis D.K. Ching

The classic, bestselling reference on architecture now revised and expanded! An essential one-volume reference of architectural topics using Francis D.K. Ching's signature presentation. It is the only dictionary that provides concise, accurate definitions illustrated with finely detailed, hand-rendered drawings. From Arch to Wood, every concept, technology, material and detail important to architects and designers are presented in Ching's unique style. It is sure to be by the side of and used by any serious architect or designer, students of architecture, interior designers, and those in construction.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Reference, Art, Design, Interior Design, Art Design

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Frank (Francis D. K.) Ching (born 1943) is a widely recognized author of books addressing architectural and design graphics. Ching's books have been widely influential and continue to shape the visual language of all fields of design. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington.

Reviews

[Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not an architect and now I don't need to be. I bought this book purely as a reference for my writing craft, and I am very glad I did so. This is the Gray's Anatomy of architecture, if you will, presented in an easy to digest visual manner. It takes some digging to find exactly what you want, because the book is organized so that taxonomic categories and theoretical ideas are interspersed in a way that doesn't always make sense, but, if it's architectural in any way, it's in there. An extremely useful resource when trying to figure out exactly what it is your heroine is dangling from beneath the tentacled monster shambling toward her over the roof.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professor Francis D.K. Ching's A Visual Dictionary of Architecture is the most useful tool I have found yet for understanding the descriptive terminology used in the diverse field of architecture. It is general yet broad enough to be useful to students, architects, contractors, historians, preservationists, etc. who have an interest in and/or desire to know what to call the complex components of everyday (as well as many common typology) buildings. The blend of visual imagery with short descriptions makes this book an invaluable reference in writing about architecture. Not only are the illustrations gorgeous, but the explanations are succinct and comprehensible.

The book is organized into 68 broad, basic architectural categories (such as door, flooring, hardware, heat, plumbing, structure, etc.) that then have full-page illustrations showing the diverse types of architectural details/terms along with hand-drafted drawings associated with the broader theme. This allows for quick, comparative presentations of related but differentiated details. Most users, however, will use the book as a back-to-front reference. For this purpose, the rear index allows for quick reference in finding terms you want defined or clarified. For example, perhaps you want to know if you should refer to a certain part of the building as a "stoop," a "porch," or a "portico"--looking up any of these words will refer you to a page number under the umbrella category "Building" that illustrates and describes the various differences among the three terms. I highly recommend this book if you plan to write about buildings, and/or if you appreciate beautiful architectural illustrations (as the latter suggests, it can double as a coffee table book).

[Tine Fuentebella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the only reference book i read cover to cover when i took the licensure exam and i passed! This book is highly informative in visual and in context.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent visual resource.

[Nidhi Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the best book I ever read for the basic spells used in architecture...

[Jessie Moberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent reference for architecture terminology and concepts - both common and obscure. I read it cover to cover as a supplement to my exam prep books.

[Ronalyn San · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to have more knowledge about architecture.

[Justin Cohen]

Read

[Sebastian Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Visual Dictionary of Architecture" by Francis D.K. Ching has been incredibly helpful, providing clear, concise definitions and illustrations that make complex architectural terms and concepts much easier to understand. It’s a great reference that has been essential in enhancing my understanding of architecture's technical language and principles.

[Gus Lackner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A completely unusual book. As soon as I picked it up I read it in its entirety, while walking around my home. It is full of essential information, and it is the most exemplary visual presentation of information I have ever seen.

[Reyhan Ismail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biarkan gambar yang berbicara.

[Dennis Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

this may help me a lot by reading this kind of book.

[Santosh Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

very nice

[Andro Sabillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me 16 months to read, on and off, about 6000 terms and concepts. It's a good encyclopedic starter to explore the different relevant domains of architecture and construction.

[Leean Cabantog · Rating 4 out of 5]

An educational book for my college course, very useful!

[Tim Garry · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential book for any architect or building enthusiast. Ching's beautiful sketches and succinct summary of technical aspects inform what I refer to as the encyclopaedia of architecture.

[David Geller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything by Ching is great.

[Dekmous Sidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I get ready to start reading books to developed my parsonality

[Katja Labonté · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excessively cool and useful.

[Carlie Crowe]

A visual dictionary of architecture. (1996). Wiley.

Citation by: Carlie Crowe

Type of Reference: Dictionary

Call Number: Ref 720

Content/Scope: A dictionary that can be used at the high school level, contains fundamentals terms and basic concepts.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Wiley is a publishing company now for its strengths in major academic, scientific and professional fields.

Arrangement/Presentation: Arrangement is alphabetical. Included in the 320 pages are illustrations of content along with an index.

Relation to other works: There are many architecture dictionaries; this dictionary meets requirements for libraries that need a comprehensive reference at a high school level.

Accessibility/Diversity: This will be of specific interest to students who study architecture in their visual arts classes and in the building classes in the area technology center.

Cost: $44.95

Professional Review: Anderson, Kent. (1996). Bookmarks: Symbols and schooling. School Arts. May/Jun96, Vol. 95 Issue 9, p38. 4p. 2 Black and White Photographs.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most fantastic and complete architectural reference I have ever encountered.

No one knows all the little, pedantic architectural terms you need to study the built world. This book not only has all of them but is full of beautiful and informative illustrations. Everyone who studies architecture; students in: art history, architecture, historic preservation and engineering should have a copy of this book on hand.

Check it out from a library, see how useful it is and then go buy it.

[EJ Portento · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever want to study architecture and just enjoy it, I'll highly recommend you this book. Really good! Although I already finished reading this, I'm sure that I'll read this over and over again.

I think this is the first ever non fiction book that I have ever give a five star to. D.K. Ching deserved it, he helped a lot of us in our field to understand it better.

[Ed Crutchley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A priceless largish format book for anyone looking to improve their fluency in architectural terminology. The book is built around clearly drawn illustrations, which account for about two thirds of the space, related to subjects that range from arches to beams, bricks, roofs, trusses, foundations, etc. Explanations are precise and there is an index of all the terms used.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book during my review for the board exams and I found it very useful. Everything was categorized, illustrated and described for easy reference and understanding. So far, this is the best reference for students of architecture and design.

[Maryam Shahriari · Rating 3 out of 5]

نوشتن درباره کتاب‌هایی که با استرس برای کنکور خوندی کار آسونی نیست. خوندن‌هایی که بعضاً فقط به هدف در ذهن موندن تا کنکور بوده نه در ذهن موندن تا همیشه! :|‏

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ولی مسلماً کتاب ضروری‌ای هست برای هر معماری که می‌خواد به کشف مطالب به روز دنیا (به زبانی بین‌المللی) تسلط داشته باشه.‏‏



زمستان 90

[Marco]

roof

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visual exploration of architectural spaces, using structures around the world. Terrific book for students of all levels.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful to have at hand.

[Jonah Flor · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best :)

[Hennah M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my awesome review.