This book highlights aesthetics as pertaining to the structural component in architectural design. This less explored aspect of architecture is discussed and explains the enduring qualities of ten specific buildings from architectural history to present day due to their structural aesthetics. Based on comprehensive research, a critical analysis is presented of the constraints and other influences on architectural and structural design, such as culture, patronage, geometry, available resources and technologies.

End-users provide the most valuable perspective and insights into how public social space should function. Much of the failure of urban settings can be related to over-structured urban environments which deterministically prescribe usage, constraining instead of enabling socio-spatial performance. Planning decisions by specialists should be made with the participation of the end-user to minimise uncertainty as far as possible, creating enabling environments. Placemaking: An Urban Design Methodology presents a methodology that evaluates the preferences of urban dwellers and synthesises these with the planning specialist's expertise, better representing all views. Author Derek Thomas integrates the Sondheim Methodology with means to understanding cultural clues to create a matrix methodology that links planning primers with planning actions. A unique new tool for community planners, this book emphasises the importance of the community while taking into account the expertise of the planner in creating public spaces.

This book highlights aesthetics as pertaining to the structural component in architectural design. This less explored aspect of architecture is discussed and explains the enduring qualities of ten specific buildings from architectural history to present day due to their structural aesthetics. Based on comprehensive research, a critical analysis is presented of the constraints and other influences on architectural and structural design, such as culture, patronage, geometry, available resources and technologies.

End-users provide the most valuable perspective and insights into how public social space should function. Much of the failure of urban settings can be related to over-structured urban environments which deterministically prescribe usage, constraining instead of enabling socio-spatial performance. Planning decisions by specialists should be made with the participation of the end-user to minimise uncertainty as far as possible, creating enabling environments. Placemaking: An Urban Design Methodology presents a methodology that evaluates the preferences of urban dwellers and synthesises these with the planning specialist's expertise, better representing all views. Author Derek Thomas integrates the Sondheim Methodology with means to understanding cultural clues to create a matrix methodology that links planning primers with planning actions. A unique new tool for community planners, this book emphasises the importance of the community while taking into account the expertise of the planner in creating public spaces.

Architecture and the Urban Environment - Holistic Design forms a critical appraisal of the place and direction of architecture and urban design in the new world order, the second decade into the 21st Century. This philosophical and practical primer responds to current social, cultural, natural and technological resource issues and aims to assist architects, urban designers and landscape architects - and those in training - to synthesise the elements of holistic and sustainable design.

This environmental story for children is based on two real life animals who are from different worlds. Rawie (Raavie) is a scrub hare whose habitat is the dry arid parts of the Karoo, South Africa. Honey is a characterful Irish terrier who would love to play with the wild animals who live close by, but that will never happen. The farmers' gin traps are threat to all veld animals, and the story holds humans accountable to ensure that all creatures are allowed their rightful place in the sun.

Why a book about heaven? For all the skepticism that abounds in our time, people still want to know what happens after death. Do you know with any certainty where your conscious, thinking, self-aware, communicative self will be? And does it matter, as long as you are in 'heaven'? But the importance of 'heaven' does not consist only in it being the alternative to 'hell'. It is not just an abstract future state into which we will slip, it is a physical reality which can give us joy and hope even now as we look toward it. Derek Thomas examines how the Christian can and should think about heaven: 1. We Die ... Then what? 2. Are You Ready? 3. Falling Asleep 4. The Trumpet Shall Sound 5. The New Heaven and New Earth 6. What Will Heaven be Like? 7. Like the Angels

This book is designed to portray biblical spirituality as believers in the God of the Bible express it. It takes a collection of fifteen psalms, conveniently lumped together in the Hebrew canon. The collection of Psalms 120-134 all bear the same title: A Song of Ascents.

Designed to go through the 14 Psalms in 14 days:

Each day, spending time in one of these psalms. Read the psalm, pray over it, make notes from what you think God might be teaching you. As you read the chapter for that day, keep a journal. Donald Whitney has written:

A journal is one of the best places for charting your progress in the Spiritual Disciplines and for holding yourself accountable to your goals.

At the end of each psalm there are some questions to 'stir the juices', as it were. There are no strict rules, except the need for honesty. Writing down how we respond to God's teaching can stir the affections in a way that nothing else can.