Reviews (14)

Modular Works - Even in CA
Hi.I highly recommend this book and more than just a passing comment, I have developed a personal home in coastal CA and there is no resource as complete.There is still so much misinformation out there it aggravates me sometimes - "But most stick builders are not using open faced floor joists and glued drywall. Is that a better way of building or a huge savings in material and labor costs? My feeling is that it's merely a cost savings, and not really a revolutionary way to build.?
very helpful
This book gives you the basics about modular homes. It's more for a consumer to pre-educate themselves with the process. I live in a modular home and the book is right in step.

Comprehensive, Detailed and Consolidated
The title of the review says it all... the most consolidated and detailed resource on modular homes that I found in my research.I would recommend this title as a great starting point to anyone who has an interest in the modular housing industry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. House Plans    6. Prefabricated houses    7. Real Estate - Buying/Selling Homes    8. Home & House Maintenance    9. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (2)

I love this book!
What a wonderful and beautiful treatment of the subject! I will never think of log houses in the same way again. The writing is engaging as well as educational. I love design as well as travel and this book took me around the globe. Bravo!

An impressive account of log cabins...
This book is a wonderful representation of log cabins and anyone who is interested in log cabins, like me.It is impressive the details and descriptions of the log cabin, the history, and principles of building a log cabin and not to mention the stunning photos.I especially enjoyed the comparisons of the European and American log cabins; it certainly brings out the scope of what I thought was a simple building method.I had no idea, all the nuances that constitute a log cabin...Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture (Specific Aspects)    3. Domestic    4. Europe    5. Log cabins    6. Methods & Materials    7. Sustainable/Environmental    8. United States    9. Architecture / General    10. Houses, apartments, flats, etc   

Reviews (4)

A good introduction for the would-be amateur stone mason
An excellent introduction for anyone who is interested in learning more about stone work and masonry.
Great starter book!
This book was better than I expected. I was hoping for color photographs, butit has B&W only. Doesn't get into a lot of details, but covers quite a few topics on the subject of stone masonry. I agree with previous review. Would have been great if the section on Mortaring Stone could have been more detailed. All in all, a good starting book to refer to.

Little bit of everything.
This book seems to have a bit of everything that has to do with traditional stone masonry. It shows how to build different types of buildings and objects. Pictures are only in Black and White. If your looking for a full colour glossy paged book on stone architecture this is not for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Building, Stone    3. Construction - Masonry    4. Design & Construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Masonry    10. Stone    11. Garden design & planning    12. House & Home / Design & Construction    13. TECHNOLOGY / Construction / Masonry   

Reviews (7)

A great place to start dreaming
This was the first log home book my wife and I purchased after making the decision to not settle for any old house on the market and to build our dream home. It was a great way to get the ideas flowing. I appreciate the layout of the book: lots of exterior and interior photos, floor plans to put the photos into perspective, text descriptions of the houses, and great side bars on everything from windows to roofs to heating. The photos and descriptions are inspiring while the floor plans and side bars are practical. Buy this book early in the process and continue to refer to it as your design comes together.

A MUST HAVE FOR LOG HOME BUILDERS!!
My husband and I are in the preliminary stages of planning our dream log home.There are many pricey books out there to peruse, but none were as helpful as this one.It helped us to understand construction and budgetary compliance.By planning with this book, we curbed our budget, without compromising quality and beauty.The information was easy to digest and the photos were excellent and instrumental in the implementation of design and decorating.This book is definitely a MUST HAVE for anyone who is planning to build a log home.

I found a plan
I bought this early on in the planning stage of our log cabin as a resouce. After looking through dozens of books and magazines I actually used one of the plans in the book after modifying it slightly. This has many plans that give you some great ideas and has enough difference between them to be a nice starting point in the design process. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture, Domestic    2. Designs and plans    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. House Plans    8. Log cabins    9. Wood Construction    10. House & Home / Design & Construction    11. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    12. Housing & property for the individual   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Commercial buildings    3. Domestic    4. Interior Design - Professional Reference    5. Interior decoration    6. Interior walls    7. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    8. Specifications    9. Architecture / Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    10. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Reviews (1)

Great houses, great ideas, OK writing
First, I should say that Jeremiah Eck is my favorite architect.If I ever build a house (which is hard, because I live in Boston where there are essentially no lots), I'll probably use him as an architect. So I should love this book, and I mostly do. Ideally, I'd like an architecture book to:
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture, Domestic    3. Design & Construction    4. Details    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Domestic    7. General    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Landscape architecture    10. Residential Buildings Architecture    11. Residential Construction    12. United States    13. Architectural structure & design    14. House & Home / General    15. Houses, apartments, flats, etc   

Reviews (11)

Small Barns Book
It was a good book to prepare for a small barn building project.

Not what was expected
Only basic info on planning a project and included plans are just a teaser to get you to purchase complete plans. There are much better general barn/shed books.

Small Barn Plans
It's marginally useful with hand drawn, black & white diagrams. You do get a sense of what building a horse barn or shed is all about. There are other reference books out there that deal with the subject in a more polished way though. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction - Masonry    3. House & Home / Design & Construction    4. Reference    5. Barns    6. Blueprints    7. Design & Construction    8. House & Home   

Reviews (9)

Go Solar and Wind power!!
Another fine book from Author Rex Ewing.This book has lots of information to aid those seeking alternative energy.The only problem found was some occasional typos (Grammer) but if you look past that there is much to gain.

Excellent starting point on setting up solar/wind power
Interesting to read AND has useful information. With humor and spirit, the authors give information about solar power, wind power, and how to implement it for personal use.
Worth your time - It will get you started
So you want to GO Solar - well this book is a good start.It will help you learn the questions you need to ask of yourself, family, and contractor (if you use one).Do not expect this or any book to answer every question - it won't happen.
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Subjects:  1. Home Improvement / Construction    2. Power Resources    3. Remodeling & Renovation - Energy Efficient    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Technology   

Reviews (4)

One of the best Wright books out there
This is a beautiful picture book that keeps its title's promise.Maddex actually identifies the specific FLW solutions for making small houses feel big. Her description of these solutions are well-written and aimed at appealing to the intelligent layman.Mercifully, she avoids the academic,pedantic and patronizing tone.A real pleasure.Couldn't recommend more highly.

Great book
This book is a very good analisis of the elements of Wrightian architecture. Takes the parts 1 by 1, (windows, continuity of spaces, carports, etc.) and explain the central idea of FLW.
Great pictures.Terrible text.
I think the premise of the book is right on target.FLW best work was in his small houses.They are much harder to design, build and were done so on a tight budget.The pictures of the houses in the book are fantastic.They are current day pictures versus pictures taken 10 or 20 years ago.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1867-1959    2. Architecture    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Design & Construction    6. House & Home    7. Individual Architect    8. Small houses    9. United States    10. Wright, Frank Lloyd,    11. Architecture / Individual Architect   

Reviews (7)

A Must Have Book
Excellent Book.... Format and details are outstanding. It shows examples of what to do and what not to do.
An excellent reference for sorting through the myriad of production housing mistakes!
Having spent a number of years in the production building market, it is safe to say every professional I've worked with in the past, whether junior designer or Snr VP, lacked a sufficient understanding of traditional architecture to recognize the countless errors found throughout entire librabries of product.
Revolutinary!The equivalent of the "The Chicago Manual of Style" for Architects.
This is an EXCELLENT resource.As the Town Architect for a number of new traditional neighborhoods that have decided to continue building in the traditional styles of their region, I review the work of architects, designers and contractors alike for consistency with that tradition.This book never leaves my side.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building    3. Construction - General    4. Details    5. Drawings    6. General    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Technology    9. Architectural structure & design    10. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    11. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades    12. Reference    13. Study & Teaching   

Subjects:  1. Automotive Fuel Systems    2. Construction - General    3. Engineering - Automotive    4. Legal Reference / Law Profession    5. Military    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    8. Technology    9. Automotive technology    10. Technology / Technical & Manufacturing Industries & Trades   

Reviews (6)

save your money
Empty square boxes; cold and modern.The flat roofs would never work in the northern climate.

Makes Me Want to Go Build a New House
I review a lot of architecture books, and this one more than most makes me want to go out and build a new house. The subject of the book is small houses. It consists of pictures and the story of some fifty houses, all of which are less than 1,300 square feet. Many of them are much less than 1,300 feet, indeed down into the 300-400 square foot size.
Quite good
This is a quite good book dealing with compact houses. I'm not totally satisfied because some of the houses represented are more an architectural exercise than houses in which living. However really good photos, nice ideas and a good rating from the quality-cost point of view. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architect-designed houses    2. Catalogs    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Design & Construction    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design    9. Interior architecture    10. Residential Buildings Architecture    11. Small houses    12. Architecture    13. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Domestic    3. International Architecture - General    4. Residential Buildings Architecture    5. Vernacular Architecture    6. Architecture / Domestic    7. Australia    8. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    9. Malaysia    10. New Zealand    11. Singapore   

Reviews (1)

A strong in-depth history of Chinese home architecture
China has seen many social, political and economic changes over the centuries, yet surprisingly, has managed to preserve excellent examples of changing architectural home styles throughout these years, as Chinese Houses: The Architectural Heritage Of A Nation presents. Packed with color photos of both interior and exterior d�cor, Chinese Houses also presents an in-depth survey of the rituals, culture, ornamentation influences, and floor plans of homes across China, from urban to rural dwellings. If it's a strong in-depth history of Chinese home architecture which is desired, look no further than the gorgeous Chinese Houses: it's much more than the coffee table picturebook it appears a first glance.
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Subjects:  1. Architectural Detail    2. Architecture    3. Architecture, Domestic    4. China    5. Customs & Traditions    6. Decoration & Ornament    7. Domestic    8. Dwellings    9. History - General    10. Interior Design - General    11. Residential Buildings Architecture    12. Residential buildings, domestic buildings    13. Theory of architecture   

Editorial Review

Tuscany's hill towns and countryside have enthralled inhabitants and visitors for centuries--the golden light in the afternoons, the grape arbors, and the rolling hillsides dotted with rustic farmhouses and villas.

Reviews (3)

Gorgeous book!
This book is so enjoyable!The pictures are beautiful...just looking through it takes me back to my favorite place in the world!
Beautiful, inspiring,full of memories of Italy
This book was so lovely. It contains exquisitephotos and many, many ideas applicable for my own home. Great decorating ideas. I've shared this book with other people who have been equally inspired by the warm,gracious, elegant living portrayed throughout. Highly recommend this bookfor yourself or gift. A lovelyway to remember past visits to Italy orinspire apersonal visit in the not too distant future.

A visual feast!
A beautiful book -- I enjoyed it much more than Tuscany Interiors which I also own.The houses range from simple to elaborate and -- of course! -- the landscapes and gardens are gorgeous. This is a great book from which to"lift" Italian decorating ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural & Industrial    2. Architecture    3. Architecture, Domestic    4. Celebrities    5. Domestic    6. Dwellings    7. Interior Design - General    8. Interior decoration    9. Italy    10. Landscape    11. Landscape Architecture And Design    12. Photography    13. Residential Interior Design    14. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Europe    15. Tuscany    16. Architecture / Interior Design   

Subjects:  1. Air conditioning    2. Construction - Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning    3. Heating    4. Heating And Ventilation Engineering    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Ventilation    9. Heating, lighting, ventilation    10. Technology / Construction / Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning   

Reviews (4)

Another review to counter Kathleen's below
The book is plainly marked "House Plans."That's exactly what you get:plans to build a house.Not to decorate nor historically analyze it, but to build.To rate it low because she wanted it to be something it's *clearly* marked that it's NOT is unfair.
Duh.
I really wish that however disappointed Kathleen might have been with what she GOT vs. what she thought she was getting, she would have rated it based on what it was, not what she wanted it to be.It sounds like she thinks it's an OK book of plans, but she only gave it one star.I can only assume that's because it's not a decorating book.That's a little like going to see Citizen Kane and calling it a crappy movie because there weren't any good battle scenes or car chases.
Arts & Crafts Home Plans.Plans for Homes.Home plans.
This book is a catalog of home plans.Operative words: "home"and "plans".Plans with which you can build a home.The other reviewer missed that somehow.
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Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. House Plans   

Reviews (6)

Stick to IFSTA's Bld Construction...
Mr. Brannigan, whether senile or just incompetent, fails to write his book in any logical order. He is all over the place when presenting the few facts he is actually correct about. The book currently stands at 667 pages. It would be 1/3 of that length if it weren't for the numerous opinions, hearsay and accumulated ramblings of this arm chair quarterback who has apparently done more fire buffing than fire fighting! Studying for a promotional or just increasing your knowledge base? Stick with IFSTA's Bld Contstruction and study guide or Vinnie Dunn's "Collapse of Burning Buildings."

THE book for the Fire Service.
This should be required reading for anyone in the fire service who deals with Structural fire fighting.The book is pretty straight forward and in an easy to read font.I love this book.It also has a pretty decent index if you're using it for school.Out of all the books I've had to buy for school so far, this is the best one.If you're a fan of Brunacini, you may find a few points where they disagree, thus creating the great debate between which author is right.The principles of this book are easily put to use in day to day firefighting and could possibly save your life.

Must Read For All Fire Personnel
This is not an easy reading book. Dry and distant at times it is however the finest collection of fire dept related constrution information ever collated. Whether you like it or not you MUST read this book. The information within could make the difference when your backs against the wall. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Security    2. Construction - General    3. Fire Science    4. General    5. Reference    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Security & fire alarm systems   

Reviews (2)

An Excellent Overview of Green Building...Superb!
Author Dan Chiras has produced a series of amazing books on green building, including The Natural House, The Solar House, Superbia!, and The Natural Plaster Book. His books are extremely well written, well organized, comprehensive, and extremely well illustrated. He's truly one of the best, if not the best, writer in the green building field.
Ok, but not great
This book was a little bit hard to understand, especially if you are not knowledgable on the subject. I would recommend something more clear and easier to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture and society    3. Design & Construction    4. Domestic    5. Dwellings    6. Ecological houses    7. Energy conservation    8. Green products    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. Landscape    11. Reference    12. Remodeling & Renovation - Energy Efficient    13. Building construction & materials   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Domestic    3. General    4. Residential Buildings Architecture    5. Architecture / General    6. Houses, apartments, flats, etc    7. Interior design