The best book on the whole history of Architecture
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As an architectural studies student writing about the history of architecture in religious terms, this book was to me an amazing find! Easy to understand, filled with pictures and suggested reading lists at the end of each chapter, it was the root of all my research.
Fell in love with this book immediately, it was one fantastic read, which i'm sure will come in handy again and again!
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A valuable survey of Western architecture from the dawn of the civilization to present
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As Marion Dean Ross Professor of Architectural History at the University of Oregon at Eugene, Leland M. Roth summarized his research and experience in "Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning."
Having done extensive graduate studies in architecture, landscape architecture and urban planning, I always find the history and meaning of architecture, gardens and places fascinating.
"Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning" is a feast for people like me. It is separated into 2 parts. Part I covers elements of architecture including "Commoditie" (Function), "Firmeness" (Structure), "Delight" (Space, Acoustic and Aesthetic), architecture as part of natural environment, architecture, memory and economics. Part II covers history and meaning of Western architecture from the dawn of the civilization to present, including "from caves to cities," the architecture of Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, Greek architecture, Roman architecture, Early Christian and Byzantine architecture, Medieval architecture, Renaissance architecture, Baroque and Rococo architecture, the origin and development and versions of Modernism, and various schools of Postmodernism.
"Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, And Meaning" has 652 pages and many line drawings and good interior black-and-white photos. It is a valuable survey of Western architecture from the dawn of the civilization to present.
Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA
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Firmitas, Utilitas, Venustas
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-Firmness, Commodite, and Delight-
This is a very good start for a journey in architecture. This is not only a chronological survey of architecture, but a study to understand how it effects our life during our being a human process. Book has two main parts. In the first part, Roth is explaining the deals with the main properties of architecture, with many examples. In the second part without a need to mention these basic properties of architecture, the sembolic meanings of it is analised. Reading advises given at the end of each chapter are showing new horizons. The glossary at the end of the book is making it possible to read without any other books for help.
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