What Not to Build: Architectural Options for Homeowners

by Sandra Edelman, Judith Kay Gaman, Robby Reid

The story is all too common in today's housing market--the basic principles of scale, proportion, balance, rhythm, and consistent architectural styles are often misapplied in new residential construction. Walk around almost any new development, and you will find dormers that are bigger than the front door; windows that are out of scale; too few or too many columns; and more. What Not To Build highlights these problems. Focusing on the exteriors of houses, the authors--who are architects and designers--have identified a number of "problem" designs. Through photographs and illustrations, the authors show how the problems can be solved by applying easy-to-understand design principles. Anyone reading this book will be able to avoid the problems when designing their own house or fix problems that appear in the house they are already living in.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction

223 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're interested solely in a home's appearance and no other factors, this book may prove useful. When I quickly skimmed it at the library I thought it covered more than aesthetics, but I was mistaken. For example, it mentions what effects that roof pitch has on the looks of a house but doesn't mention that a low-pitched roof might be a terrible idea in places with heavy snowfall and icestorms. Same case on the chapter on materials, some materials, like wood may not be appropriate for areas prone to forest fires or bricks in earthquake country.

Before you decide anything about style, you need to make the more important decisions on how handle the local climate and its disasters along with using materials that are durable. Since I'm more of a form follows function person, I don't need this book.

[Mark Einselen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you judged books by their covers, this is another one you wouldn't open. Despite the poor first impressions, the content is about calling out poor design. Whomever designed the cover should've taken a few notes from the inside first.

I initially saw this for sale in a shop and decided to pass on it... then regretted not having it on hand. A few weeks later I received it as a gift from someone who never knew I was considering it! It's a good resource to have to communicate basic good design with folks who might have inclinations for/against certain homes but don't know why.

[Manintheboat · Rating 4 out of 5]

HA ha ha. Those Texans and their suburban sprawl bilge.

[Smellsofbikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great discussion of external architecture and classical design: the styles and proportions that make a house look good, and the mistakes that make a house look lousy.

[Alyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

These people had way too much fun with photoshop.

But seriously, it is alarming the mis-proportioned hodgepodge people build. Some good tips, lots of ugly houses...

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was somewhat helpful, but I needed more of a New England centric book. Many of these styles are never seen around here.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the title and the cover, I was expecting humor...alas. Decent explanations of why house exteriors work or don't, but not as entertaining as I hoped...

[Meadow · Rating 1 out of 5]

l-a-m-e.

Also, I write by reviews.