Product Description
Clear and accessible, Analysing Architecture opens a fresh way to understanding architecture. It offers a unique ‘notebook’ of architectural strategies to present an engaging introduction to elements and concepts in architectural design. Beautifully illustrated throughout with the author’s original drawings, examples are drawn from across the world and many periods of architectural history (from prehistoric times to the recent past) to illustrate analytical th… More >>
#1 by dp on January 30, 2010 - 10:58 pm
I used this text for a architecture class I was enrolled in. The figure/ground drawings are useful.
Rating: 3 / 5
#2 by Diane78 on January 31, 2010 - 12:25 am
In clear, precise diagrams and thoughtful text, author Simon Unwin offers an engaging methodology for the study of architecture and aesthetic systems. Time-tested buildings from classical temples to traditional Japanese homes and early modernist masterpieces, are explored in this wide ranging, but focused study. Unwin demonstrates that while architectural styles change over time, the underlying principles that organize quality designs remain remarkably consistent.
This book is a must for all architectural students interested in acquiring the visual skills needed to understand a wide variety of design methodologies. My only criticism is that proportion and scale were not given enough attention, but there are many other books that cover this important topic separately.
Intelligently considered, and clearly presented, `Analysing Architecture’ is a refreshing counterpoint to the sort of pretentious, self-serving rubbish that Eisenman, Libeskind, Hadid, et al try to pass off as design.
Rating: 4 / 5
#3 by Ron on January 31, 2010 - 2:03 am
This book establishes a systematic method in analyzing architecture. It explains how architectural elements are combined together to form designs that could relate an appropriate sense of ‘place’ specific to the programme as well as the environment surrounding it. The book is well illustrated with diagrams and examples. An extremely useful introductory guide for those who want to learn more about the basics of architecture.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by Anonymous on January 31, 2010 - 3:52 am
Beginning with the root definition of architecture as its “conceptual organization, its intellectual structures”., the author makes clear its function as “identification of place”, goes on to identify the basic elements and concepts, examines the use of natural features of the landscape, analyzes primitive place types, geometry in architecture, space and structure, and other key concepts.
From the campsites of primitive man to the sophisticated structures of the late twentieth century, architecture as an essential function of human activity is explained clearly, and illustrated with the author’s own excellent drawings. Highly recommended as a well-organized and readable introduction.
(The “score” rating is an unfortunately ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not “score” books.)
Rating: 5 / 5