Architecture in Wood: A World History

by Will Pryce

"Some books are so beautifully produced and contain such superb images that even before one starts reading they have an entrancing quality that makes ownership essential. For anyone interested in design, architecture, cultures or travel [this book] is just such a volume . . . captivating.” ―TES Many of the world’s greatest buildings are made of wood, yet it is undervalued or ignored in histories of architecture. However, leading designers around the world are increasingly drawn to it to satisfy social and environmental needs. Will Pryce is an award-winning photographer who trained as an architect and photojournalist. Intensely dramatic but not overdramatized, technically flawless but not merely documentary, his internationally acclaimed photographs convey all the excitement of encountering these amazing structures firsthand. He has traveled the world seeking the famous and the obscure. In the text he shows how the wooden heritage of Japan grew from its Buddhist history; how Russia’s carpenters determined its iconic domes; how Norway’s stave churches contain clues to her pagan past; how Turkic tribes brought the yali from Asia; how the settlers of New England employed a provincial English tradition on the new continent; and how, today, sophisticated architects such as Peter Zumthor and Renzo Piano are inventing an eloquent new wooden architecture.   400+ illustrations

Genres: Architecture, Art, History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book with an abundance of fabulous photos. It covers wood structures throughout the world as the title promises, but I found the ones outside of the US more impressive. A pleasure just to look at.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has incredible photos of some amazingly stunning and old architecture in wood. It makes one wonder why we almost completely abandoned building in wood because clearly when built correctly a wood building can last for centuries. It's very sad that much of this specific craftsmanship has been lost over time.

My only complaint about this book is that the author frequently used rather specific vocabulary that was almost never defined. The lovely, inspiring photos make this book well worth a look though.

[Linda Benedict · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful coffee table book showing the oldest and most intricate wooden building from all around the world. I got lost in the fantastic photos but was disappointed in the text. It described many structural details without showing them. What, for instance, is a cloud bracket? I suppose coffee table books are to be seen and not read.

[Kua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo libro racconta la storia dell'uso del legno come materiale da costruzione e parla di alcuni dei più antichi edifici esistenti sul pianeta costruiti con questo materiale meraviglioso. Veramente molto interessante e con delle bellissime foto.

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous big book with world wide look at some of the more interesting examples of timber architecture.

[Kamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astounding examples of innovative construction in wood from around the world. A great survey of architectural styles as well.