Tower and Slab looks at the contradictory history of the modernist mass housing block - home to millions of city dwellers around the world. Few urban forms have roused as much controversy. While in the United States decades-long criticism caused the demolition of most mass housing projects for the poor, in the booming metropolises of Shanghai and Mumbai remarkably similar developments are being built for the wealthy middle class. While on the surface the modernist apartment block appears universal, it is in fact diverse in its significance and connotations as its many different cultural contexts.

Florian Urban studies the history of mass housing in seven narratives: Chicago, Paris, Berlin, Brasilia, Mumbai, Moscow, and Shanghai. Investigating the complex interactions between city planning and social history, Tower and Slab shows how the modernist vision to house the masses in serial blocks succeeded in certain contexts and failed in others. Success and failure, in this respect, refers not only to the original goals to solve the housing crisis and provide modern standards for the entire society but equally to changing significance of the housing blocks within the respective societies and their perception by architects, politicians, and inhabitants.

These differences show that design is not to blame for mass housing 's mixed record of success. The comparison of the apparently similar projects suggests that triumph or disaster does not depend on a single variable but rather on a complex formula that includes not only form, but also social composition, location within the city, effective maintenance, and a variety of cultural, social, and political factors.

Renaissance master Andrea Palladio's architectural DNA can be seen on modern-day icons from Buckingham Palace to the White House, from numerous English stately homes to Virginian plantation houses. In THE PERFECT HOUSE Witold Rybczynski travels along the Brenta River in north-eastern Italy to experience the surviving original Palladian villas for himself. He sets out to discover how a rustic sixteenth-century stonemason, born Andrea di Pietro, first had to become 'cultured' before he could be one of the most respected architects of all time, and how Palladio managed to bring the elegance of Ancient Rome to the Venetian countryside. Out of the chaos of hired cars and cheap flights, towns packed with 'Ristoranti Palladio' and herds of tourists, Rybczynski savours moments of epiphany as he contemplates Palladio's perfect houses. Part travelogue, part historical biography, part architectural guide, THE PERFECT HOUSE is a delightful and enlightening exploration of the birth of domestic architecture and the man who spawned it.

This insightful volume shares design ideas to help builders, planners and architects create mass-produced affordable housing that pushes suburban development in more sustainable, liveable directions. The author argues that improving the quality of design in our new homes and communities for greater resiliency, sustainability, and equality, we can build neighborhoods and communities where residents feel more connected t their homes and to one another. Through text, photographs and illustrations, the book reviews prototypical American housing design, then suggest ways to both learn from the past as well as adapt for new environmental imperatives, demographic changes and lifestyle needs. Written by a practicing architect with 25+ years of experience optimizing residential design, this pioneering approach to suburban building will inspire readers to view mass produced housing through a new, modern lens.

In the search for sustainable architecture, there is growing interest in the relationship between nature and design. In this vital new book, the term bioclimatic, relating to the dynamic between climate and living organisms, is applied by the authors in focusing on countries where housing requires cooling for a significant part of the year. In this context, Bioclimatic Housing covers creative, vernacular architecture to present both the theory and practice of innovative, low-energy architecture. The book interweaves the themes of social progress, technological fixes and industry transformation within a discussion of global and country trends, climate types, solutions and technologies. Prepared under the auspices of a 5-year International Energy Agency (IEA) project, and with case studies from Iran, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka and Italy, this is a truly international and authoritative work, providing an essential primer for building designers, builders, developers and advanced students in architecture and engineering.

Explore a golden age in architecture when architects, builders, and homeowners let their imaginations run wild. If you are thinking about renovating, remodeling, or building a Victorian home, this book will show you how the architectural features characteristic of turn-of-the-20th century architecture were used. Here are richly detailed 'gingerbread' trims, towers, encircling porches, balconies, cornices, belvederes, large porte-cocheres, bay windows, ornamental ironwork, elaborate chimneys, and much more. All who love Victorian architecture will be informed and inspired by over 300 full color photographs of historical architectural details found here.

A stunning showcase of the unique lifestyle opportunities afforded by contemporary courtyard design in the Asia-Pacific region. Courtyards have long played an important function in residential design, regulating light, shade and the use of space. With thousands of years of tradition as inspiration, contemporary architects are realizing courtyard living afresh. This lavish survey of 25 residences across the Asia-Pacific region features homes from Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, India, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. Structured by courtyard function, the book consists of five chapters - on privacy; multigenerational living; sightlines; light and ventilation; and living with nature - that are richly illustrated with photography as well as architectural illustrations showing courtyard positions within floor plans. Showcasing the unique lifestyle opportunities afforded by contemporary courtyard design, this is an inspirational resource for anyone interested in indoor-outdoor living.

Outdoor living is heating up the marketplace today, and more and more people take their leisure time outdoors. Toward that end, they're bringing the kitchen with them, along with a blazing fire to warm and illuminate their yards into the later hours. This book offers the largest collection of images of landscapes, outdoor kitchens, and fireplaces available on the market today, and with those gorgeous photos come hundreds of ideas. Live vicariously as you leaf through these pages, and then make the dream come true in your own backyard with some of the many inspirations found here.

How to Read Houses is an insider's guide to recognising and appreciating the diversity of domestic architecture that reflects the location, the fashion, and the technological savoir-faire of the age - from Tudor timber-frames to the truly unconventional. Compact enough to travel with you yet comprehensive enough to provide real answers, with real examples, this handy reference guide: - Provides an understanding of the architectural vocabulary along with the visual clues that identify any house style and its historical context. - Enhances the appreciation of visits to landmark houses and lays the foundations for an architectural exploration of your own home or area. - Explores the main architectural styles, as well as the materials and components of a house, through beautifully rendered illustrations, photographs of classic examples and the words of a friendly expert.

This clear and accessible guide provides a comprehensive outline on how to convert your house into a more 'green' home. Buildings are the greates energy wasters and for those of us concerned about the environment, and household bills, this book presents the key design changes that we can implement to our own homes to remedy energy loss.
This title covers the full range of design chanegs that are available to the homeowner and designer for renovation, from the roof to the basement, from insulation to windows. It also feature a selection of case studies illustrating the experiences of other homeowners and designers and how they have adapted and used the technology available to them in creating an energy efficient home. This is a practical, hands-on guide, ideal for architects, designers and homeowners.
* Comprehensive practical design guide to making your home energy efficient
* Covers all aspects of the house, from roof to basement, making it relevant to all homes
* Clear explanations give you a basic understanding of the technology behind the design

The late medieval sukiya tea-house is recognised by scholars and architects as the precursor for the modern and contemporary Japanese architectural tradition. This form is also seen to have contributed significantly to aspects of Western architectural tradition. The daime style is possibly the most distinctively 'Japanese', enigmatic and oldest form located within the sukiya tradition. The work examines the Shoko-ken tea-house, built in 1628.
This study sets out to provide a means of evaluation of the unique yet highly significant form of architecture through the examination of the Shoko-ken as an approach to discern difference and identity between this example and other examples of Sukiya tea-house architecture.

The book when it first appeared was also well received by "House and Garden Architecture Forum" and "Landscape Architecture." "The handsome book will be a joy to possess for those who love beauty in architecture and cultivated nature," so wrote Pearl S. Buck. In 1940 Henry Inn of Honolulu, art collector, designer, and photographer, produced a collection of Chinese architectural pictures that is extraordinary.

Although probably the only record of its kind, many of the photographs were taken as recently as 1936. Of those locations very few remain if any. A veteran traveller to his ancestral homeland, Henry In had an extraordinarily wide set of acquaintances which gave him an entrance into some of the choicest homes and gardens throughout China. This combination of artistic shell and unusual opportunity are unique.

Good design helps to make the environment more understandable, resulting in huge benefits for everyone. The 25 case studies illustrated in this book demonstrate the principles of good design for people with dementia. The examples are drawn from nine countries across Northern Europe, North America and Australia. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone committed to improving the built environment for people with dementia: from chief executive officers and directors of service providers, through to officials from regulatory authorities, home managers and staff, architects and interior designers, as well as nursing, medical and related professions.

This incredible collection of stunning images will inspire anyone who dreams of creating their very own timber-frame home. Thirty-eight custom-built homes are featured, inside and out, complete with floor plans. Packed with 275 gorgeous color pictures, this book provides furnishing and decorating ideas, including inspirations for decorating the great room, master bedrooms, cozy sitting rooms, elegant dining rooms, and outdoor living spaces. Gorgeous kitchen photos will help you whip up your own culinary creation center. And there are lots of ideas for creating quiet escape nooks, home offices, luxurious baths, and lofty hideaways. This is a must-have for anyone who owns a timber-frame house or remodeled barn, and all who want one.

Stanisic Associates have designed and constructed an array of apartment blocks throughout Sydney's inner-city that have provided a new way to live and to work in a totally urbanized environment. Many of these apartments have been built on the 'brownfield' sites of the redundant industrial land south of the city centre. The architecture has evolved - through an exploration of planning, material usage, spatial organization and the maximization of sunlight - into a climatically-responsive and appropriate modernism: an architecture that can be described as 'Eco-Minimalism.' STANISIC LIVE/WORK documents this approach to architecture and regenerative planning, and features all the practice's most significant projects, as well as selected un-built schemes that explored key ideas and strategies. All projects have been photographed by Patrick Bingham-Hall, and the book is illustrated with conceptual and schematic renderings, as well as formal drawings.

One of the more appealing ways to obtain the house of your dreams is to buy a stand and have it built according to your own requirements. South African House Plans 2 is a book for people who plan to build their homes or just wish to browse for ideas. It features 121 house plans ranging from 45 to 566 m2 and contains many different architectural styles. The inclusion of 3D renderings differentiates this title from the first and provides a novel way for builders to better envision their future home. The plans are aimed at the local market and comply with South African building regulations and conditions. All the plans have been designed by qualified and, in some instances, award-winning architects. The plans featured in the title can be purchased on the website www.inhouseplans.com.

A comprehensive and in-depth history of the 20th century English home, how it has been created, and how it works for people. It focuses on the various influences bearing on the development of domestic space since 1914 and covers both design and housing policy. Current debates from participation to co-operative housing are examined and several themes not previously brought together are linked, e.g. urban development/house design; technology at home/women and home; social meaning of home.

One of Scotland's finest late-medieval strongholds, Doune Castle stands high on a promontory between the River Teith and the Ardoch Burn in Perthshire. It is a testament to the power of one nobleman, Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. He was known as Scotland's 'uncrowned king', and the castle was one of his main residences in the late 1300s. For a long time Albany has been credited with the complete construction of the castle, making Doune a remarkable example of a medieval fortress built as one man's vision. However, fresh research is casting new light on Doune Castle, suggesting a much more complex history dating back to the century before Albany and beyond.

Ranging from Kentchurch Court, a former fortified medieval manor house that has been the seat of the Scudamore family for nearly 1,000 years, to a delightful Strawberry Hill-style Gothic house in rural Cornwall and car-crazed Goodwood House, this beautifully illustrated book showcases ten outstanding British country houses, all still in the hands of the original families. James Peill recounts the ups and downs of such deep-rooted clans as the Cracrofts, landowners in Lincolnshire since the 12th century, whose late 18th-century Hackthorn Hall is a perfect example of the kind of house Jane Austen describes in her novels (indeed, she appears on their family tree), as well as the relatively newly arrived Biddulphs, who constructed Rodmarton, an Arts & Crafts masterpiece, in the first decades of the last century. James Fennell has once again provided superb photographs of a wealth of gardens, charming interiors, bygone sporting trophies, fine art collections and fanciful family memorabilia, making The English Country House a delicious treat for Anglophiles and lovers of old houses.

This is the first English-language general bibliography on military fortifications. It deals with the history of fortifications from the earliest times to the present throughout the world. Design, construction, and maintenance of all types of fortifications are noted, from permanent to temporary, from earthworks to fortifications of wood and stone. Although the work mainly cites English-language sources, numerous useful foreign-language publications are noted as well. Materials included range from books and pamphlets to essays, periodicals, book chapters, dissertations, and videos. After the frontmatter, which provides an overview of the subject, the volume consists of six major sections: general works are cited first, followed by chapters on fortifications in the Eastern Hemisphere, Europe, the Pacific, the Western Hemisphere, and specific topics. Each entry contains an annotation which notes the work's content, assesses its usefulness, and notes any unique features. Access to the contents of the volume is augmented through an author index and a subject index. This bibliography should prove invaluable to scholars and researchers concerned with military history, and the place of fortifications in warfare.