The Visual Dictionary of American Domestic Architecture

by Rachel Carley

Architectural historian Rachel Carley offers a richly detailed guide to 500 years of American home design. More than 600 precisely detailed illustrations show readers how to identify and describe a house of a particular style. Every element that may be found on a Beaux Arts townhouse, a Navajo hogan, or a Craftsman bungalow is displayed. An essential reference for American homeowners, restorers, and old-house buffs who, by the year 2000, will spend more on home renovation and restoration than on new-home construction.

Genres: Architecture, Reference, Nonfiction, Art

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1994

Reviews

[Massanutten Regional Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robin, North River patron, June 2017, 4 stars:

I learned that there is a difference between a wigwam and a tipi, and that Queen Anne is one of the styles of Victorian architecture. A good basic guide; not extensive enough for an architecture aficionado.

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the illustrations of the interiors as well!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great visual guide to architecture throughout American history.

[Samuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the title suggest, the real gem of this book are the labeled drawings that help one to identify and name certain common parts of domestic architecture. The author groups the drawings into broad stylistic periods, writes one page summaries about why these styles were popular when and where they were, and then provides copious examples along with "anatomy" excerpts that explain detail moments for how certain technologies of construction look when they are pulled apart and veneers are peeled away. While Francis Ching's A VISUAL DICTIONARY OF ARCHITECTURE is more useful, comprehensive, and technical while writing about buildings and looking up certain details for reference, Carley's visual architectural dictionary has its strengths in a chronological theme that summarizes broad periods and styles quite nicely and succinctly. It is a pretty good way to get oriented with a visual study of domestic (houses only) architectural history in America. I appreciated its simplicity in writing and its clarity in drawings.

[fyc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the pictures and descriptions this book offers! It is a book I'd love to own so that I could peruse it again and again! If you enjoy looking at houses and trying to figure out the aproximate date it was built this guide could be really helpful. The history given in the descriptions is very interesting as well.

[Nick Woodall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good historical walk through architecture. The pictures and drawings really help you visually complete the historical analysis.

[UsefulCard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Super boring....