A compact volume modeled after the classic decorative arts reference book, The Grammar of Ornament, uses engraved plates from great works of architectural history to document the structures of many civilizations from the earliest times through the Industrial Revolution. Original.
Jo předtím než se mě začněte ptát, tak jsem to dostala k Vánocům od táty, protoze se mi snaží nenápadně podstrčit neco, co by mi pomohlo vybrat si budoucí obor, bohužel chudák neví, že nenakreslim pořádně ani čáru rovnou pravítkem, takže architektura není the best choice.
-not only the European/American architecture is described, but also the architecture of other cultures like the Indian and the Chinese.
-informative texts give background information about the historical context and the elements of the respective architecture style
-differences between respective architecture styles in different countries are explained
-in a small second chapter several architecture elements like stairs are explained
contra:
-the book stops at the neoclassicism, architecture styles like historism and Art Nouveau aren't explained.
-the quality of the illustrations isn't very good
Although this book isn't perfect, I recommend it to every architecture enthusiast, who is interested in the classical architecture. For those, who are mainly interested in modern architecture it is maybe not the right book. For me it is a good reference book.
If you are looking for a crash course in architecture up to the 19th Century, this is your book. It covers not only Western architecture Ancient Greeks, Romans, ... Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, ... Neo-classicism, ... but also architectural styles from different traditions and civilizations all around the globe Egyptian, Persian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Meso-American, Islamic, ...
Very useful guide when traveling to locations with varied architectural components and buildings. It includes pictures and references to the most common examples of the different styles. It doesn't go too much in depth in terms of artists that follow the styles or architects famous for using particular elements but it serves as a starting point for understanding ancient and modern architecture. Good read especially for kids and teenagers interested in the subject matter.
I am a student of 3D architecture modeling, and one day my instructor dumped this on my desk. "I want you to take this home and study it, and give it back to me after the holidays." -- I did not even bother taking it home. I bought another copy for myself right away.