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How Buildings Work: The Natural Order of Architecture
What do buildings do, and how do they fuction? Edward Allen's new book provides a full and elegantly articulated answer to these fundamental questions about architecture.
"A house of snow in the Arctic obeys the same physical laws as one of bamboo in the tropics," writes Allen, "and a steel-framed skyscraper is not so far removed from a tree house as we would sometimes believe." But the principles involved in the functioning of buildings has never been clearly laid
out in one place. Edward Allen's book is the first comprehensive, nonmathmematical physiology of architecture, and will enable lay people as well as professionals to understand how buildings work.
Every chapter of How Buildings Work concisely describes one aspect of building function. Here, for the first time in a single volume, are chapters on thermal considerations in architecture, keeping water out of buildings, reducing danger from fire, fitting buildings to people, the structural
behavior of buildings, and much more. Each is a complete introduction to its topic, and each is unique for the clarity and simplicity with which it describes an often complex phenomenon.
Over 300 original illustrations accompany the text to explain key points. A book of design and construction principles, How Buildings Work will take a natural place among the basic books on architecture and building construction. A comprehensive index and glossary of terms make it a convenient
reference manual as well.
"A house of snow in the Arctic obeys the same physical laws as one of bamboo in the tropics," writes Allen, "and a steel-framed skyscraper is not so far removed from a tree house as we would sometimes believe." But the principles involved in the functioning of buildings has never been clearly laid
out in one place. Edward Allen's book is the first comprehensive, nonmathmematical physiology of architecture, and will enable lay people as well as professionals to understand how buildings work.
Every chapter of How Buildings Work concisely describes one aspect of building function. Here, for the first time in a single volume, are chapters on thermal considerations in architecture, keeping water out of buildings, reducing danger from fire, fitting buildings to people, the structural
behavior of buildings, and much more. Each is a complete introduction to its topic, and each is unique for the clarity and simplicity with which it describes an often complex phenomenon.
Over 300 original illustrations accompany the text to explain key points. A book of design and construction principles, How Buildings Work will take a natural place among the basic books on architecture and building construction. A comprehensive index and glossary of terms make it a convenient
reference manual as well.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 1980
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231 people want to read
About the author
Edward Allen
110 books12 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
This is Edward^Allen, where ^=space.
Edward Allen has taught for more than thirty years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, and the University of Oregon. He is the bestselling author of Fundamentals of Building Construction, Fifth Edition.
This is Edward^Allen, where ^=space.
Edward Allen has taught for more than thirty years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, and the University of Oregon. He is the bestselling author of Fundamentals of Building Construction, Fifth Edition.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 26, 2008
I am really enjoying this book. The book breaks down all aspects of building an architect must consider. I think it is a wonderful book for any person who wants to eventually build and design their own home.
October 27, 2015
All you will ever need to know about the design and construction of buildings, informative and useful to the layman, inspirational perhaps to those who wish to broaden their interest in architecture and how we live.
January 21, 2017
A good companion (which also can be used as reference guide) to accompany you to go from basic to advance design guides. This one has helped me a lot from my 2nd year to the last of my Arch Degree.
Recommend!
Recommend!
May 24, 2009
Good diagrams. clear writing but could be more concise on the topics.
August 12, 2014
درک کلی از تمام مبحث های مرتبط با تنظیم شرایط محیطی، ساخت، سازه، تاسیسات، ایمنی، نگهداری و ... ساختمان ارائه می دهد. که البته با توجه به حجم کتاب، هر فصل شامل اشاراتی سطحی اما کاملا مفید می باشد.
February 16, 2015
Super awesome. A great book for beginners wanting to know more about design and construction of houses
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews