Senin, 03 Januari 2011

Very complete introduction to the subject

Introduction Architecture Francis D Ching

Introduction Architecture Francis D Ching

This introductory text was compiled from eight previous books by the authors, seven of them by Mr. Ching and one of them by Mr. Eckler. In the preface the authors state that, "Architecture is an integral part of our lives. Good design, often unnoticed, quietly facilitates the activities of everyday life. It is the architect's challenge to create spaces that are perfectly attuned to the activities that take place within them."

And that is what this book seeks to do by giving the student the tools he or she needs to accomplish the above goal.

This book begins with an informative early history of architecture and it goes onto discussing design, form and space and everything else an introductory text on the subject should include, from Structural Elements to Building Systems. The book is very well written and very easy to understand. If you're planning on studying architecture, this is the book you hope your professor will be using in your introductory class.

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6 komentar:

  1. Anyone who has studied Architecture or Interior Design probably knows Francis Ching's work. This book, written with James Eckler, is firmly in Ching's established style - deceptively simple line drawings, punctuated by easily accessible prose, that nevertheless leave the reader with a facile grasp of the subject matter.

    The book is very much an introduction, covering the whys (history and uses), and the whats (design in all its myriad forms), as well as the hows (construction, materials, methods, and standard practices). I was happy to note that the historical sections present not only things like the Roman arch and classic European buildings (familiar to anyone who has taken a history of architecture course), but also ancient edifices from Asia, India, and the Americas (on the other hand, A Global History of Architecture is another one of Ching's books).

    The construction and documentation sections are impressive and detailed, and will be an eye-opener for the budding high-school architect who thinks this is all about facades (on the other hand, Building Construction Illustrated is another one of Ching's books, as is Architecture: Form, Space, and Order). The section on Interior Design is really more about Interior Decorating (harrumph, though Interior Design Illustrated is another one of Ching's books), but the following section on Human Factors makes up for that somewhat.

    This book would be an excellent textbook for an introductory college class in Architecture. It would also be a well-appreciated gift for an advanced High School student with an interest in the field.

    BalasHapus
  2. This book could have been more aptly titled "Architecture" as there is more information here than in every other introductory architecture book combined. I admit I may not know that for certain, but I'd put money on it and I'd probably win.

    Packed to the rafters with every conceivable level of information on architecture, this reference combines curt and precise text with highly informative graphics to teach you faster and help you retain and apply the information. No aspect of the subject is left out, and with the level of informational density what appears to be cursory glances at hundreds of topics is really far more educational than more verbose works. As a result you will learn about architecture much faster and in a more memorable and usable way. Possible side-effects include never viewing the world of structures the same again and learning something new from every building you ever set foot in for the rest of your life.

    Given that this is an extremely comprehensive to the subject, it is bound to overwhelm anyone who is casually interested in the topic and should therefore be tackled only by those who are ready to fill their heads to the brim and beyond. While on the surface it may appear to be a good reference guide, I find its narrative structure more conducive to serious study and Ching's more modular work A Visual Dictionary of Architecture to be better suited for browsing or quick reference.

    One possible downside to this book is readers of Ching's previous works may find a lot of overlapping information in this volume. I think these overlaps are basically the point of this book. And for this reason those new to his work or to architecture as a career path or serious subject of study should definitely start here. I can think of no better guide to take readers new to this subject from complete ignorance to enlightenment in the shortest possible time.

    BalasHapus
  3. Architecture is one of those subjects that struck me as too esoteric to be very interesting, but as I get older I find I want to know a little about subjects that used to seem intimidating and that required more effort than I had the patience for. Opera and poetry are two more, but one hurdle at a time, please.

    Introduction to Architecture seemed just the book I was looking for. It covers the basics of the subject broadly without going into much detail about any one aspect. There are resources listed for readers who want to pursue some topics further. In fact, this book is a compilation of chapters from other books on architecture by Francis D. K. Ching, so if you like his style, he already has a library of books you can go to.

    This is a basic survey of architecture and it really gives you a good look at how much the topic entails. From the nuts and bolts of concrete and heating systems and building on uneven surfaces to the philosophy of architecture and theories of design, you get an overview of all the types of architecture there are and how a simple project can require the cooperation of dozens of experts.

    On a more superficial level, I like the look of the book. There are numerous drawings by Ching that illustrate the concepts he discusses. Even the typeface is stylish, but it's also a good example of how the prettiest solution is not necessarily the most practical, as the font is hard to read for extended stretches.

    BalasHapus
  4. I'm about half way through this book, but I wanted to share my impressions so far. I'm not an architect, but I wish I had had this book when we had a house designed by one for us. It's not exactly a primer or comprehensive overview of architecture, but rather a series of thought-provoking demonstrations of concepts. Other reviewers are correct to say that the illustrations don't match the text, but I found if I thought a little, then I saw the connection between illustration and text, and as a result I learned more and understood better.

    That said, this is not a book to pick up and read through. I found that about a page a day suited me, no faster. So it's a great book for you-know-where.

    BalasHapus
  5. Frank Ching's simple linear architectural drawings may look familiar, even if you've never seen his work before. That's because, for two generations, his style has defined architectural drawing, in its simplicity, utility, and simple pleasure. Instead of beaux arts blandishments or postmodern shapelessness, Ching's drawings are both pleasing and useful. That's why even non-architects will enjoy this book.

    According to the introduction, this book distills content from seven books written or co-written by Ching, supplemented with some principles and contexts by James Eckler. The result is a thorough survey of architecture, from its history, through the rudiments of design, into handling materials and finishing the space. As Ching puts it, we're interested here in the "episteme" and the "techne," that is, the brass tacks and the expressive art.

    In pursuit of that, Ching's text and illustrations take us on a journey. Starting in the grand sweep of architectural history, we move from broad principles, into the technical details of how to reconcile building materials with one's vision. Once he's sure we know how to join rafters or make poured concrete look more than industrial, he carries us back into the realm of Frank Lloyd Wright, and even an introduction into how we design livable cities.

    Not only architecture students will enjoy this book. Any homeowner looking to have a hand in designing or remodelling their home will find information beyond the obvious that will go toward making a unique, livable space. Material in here will come in handy for interior decoration, particularly for the use of space that is both practical and aesthetic. Anybody shopping for a home should consult this book to verify a built space's quality.

    Even if none of those interest you, Ching's illustrations could qualify this as a treasured coffee table book. With his remarkable eye for detail, combining specificity with an austere hand, Ching manages to make even steel roof trusses and concrete breeze blocks look pleasing. And that's to say nothing of his smart, vivid illustrations of completed buildings and streetscapes. Even non-architects will find handling this book a pleasure.

    Ching's text covers about a third of each page, and is fairly widely spaced. If you wanted, you could probably read this entire 400+ page textbook in two committed evenings. But don't. You'd rob yourself of the pleasure of seeing how Ching and Eckler's descriptions mesh with Ching's drawings. Even if you never build your own house, once you've read this textbook, you'll never look at a building the same way again.

    I'm no architect, I'm just a guy who likes buildings. But whether you really want to create built environments, or just enjoy them for their aesthetic value, Frank Ching provides a pleasing, readable, artistic introduction to architecture. I keep my copy in the living room, turning to a different random page each morning, just to enjoy it. Read it or browse it, but definitely look at it, because it will change the way you see.

    BalasHapus