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* A hands-on, well-illustrated reference that helps architects and contractors avoid making common errors in traditional construction details
* Graphical approach allows users to quickly visualize design solutions
* Lists the rules-of-thumb for each detail, and correct and incorrect examples of how to design or construct each detail (20050301) | | | |
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| $45.00 | |
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| | Product Details | | Author: | Stephen Mouzon | | Paperback: | 320 pages | | Publisher: | McGraw-Hill Professional | | Publication Date: | January 26, 2004 | | Language: | English | | ISBN: | 0071416323 | | Product Length: | 10.92 inches | | Product Width: | 8.36 inches | | Product Height: | 0.63 inches | | Product Weight: | 1.62 pounds | | Package Length: | 10.8 inches | | Package Width: | 8.4 inches | | Package Height: | 0.6 inches | | Package Weight: | 1.55 pounds | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 18 reviews |
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| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 18 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
32 of 38 found the following review helpful:
 stinks, pretty much on all accounts Jan 05, 2009
By reviews no more
I've stopped writing reviews on Amazon due to their idiotic review policy, but once in a while an item comes across my desk that pushes it just too far.
In this case, it seems like someone needs to put a different spin on this publication.
I've given it ONE star because there is some decent (but limited) information however, both authors and publisher should be ashamed of themselves for even trying to charge a penny for it. After a first section of some drawings of traditional architectural elements, the rest or some 75% of it is DONT's and DO's supported by horrible black and white pictures that might do in the 30's, but should be considered trash for ANY publication, including a daily paper.
Then the DONT's cover some of the ugliest examples in existence and most certainly not worth devoting that much space to it. They are indeed so ugly, that I can't think of any one in the market for a publication of this kind, who would need to see it.
Then you have a chapter 4 on Classical Orders. Makes me wonder what school these authors went to and apparently never heard of a "golden ratio". Not a mention anywhere I can see. At least please, stop calling it a "Classical Orders" chapter, if you don't know the most important find in the name of "classical proportions".
Then they have a go at asphalt shingles and clay tile. Here they display a complete ignorance on the subject, stating for example the ONLY asphalt tile of acceptable shape would be of a diamond shape, and in clay tile they apparently been only to Miami. Gee, people take a trip somewhere, you don't know what you've been missing.
There is of course NO index. Why bother. In fact an index would feel out of place in here.
The bottom line is this: this book has an MSRP of $42, it's soft cover, it's printed on a newspaper level base, it's supported by some of the lowest quality photographs I've seen in ANY book, including those published a century ago. It also falls short in addressing the ACTUAL traditional patterns by devoting an idiotic number of pages to some of the ugliest examples of building structures in existence. If you need this kind of help, you need to change your profession.
This book is everything on how NOT to approach a subject, how NOT to design a book, how NOT to publish it, how NOT to whatever. What a waste.
And remember, the "Look Inside" feature will not show anything you need to (or should) see to make an educated decision.
Those interested in a quality publication on the subject should check out the "Get your house right" by Marianne Cusato. A hard covered book on similar subject but in a superior execution. Better yet, for a LOT less money.
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UPDATE of my thoughts: I see that 5 star opinions continue to fly in. I feel so strongly about this one-of-the-worst publications I've seen since the great depression, I have only one thing to add: check it out at a library or a bookstore prior to making the purchase. High reviews in here are as out of place as the attempt to charge for it. As another reviewer stated, there ARE much better choices out there on this subject.
18 of 20 found the following review helpful:
 Revolutinary! The equivalent of the "The Chicago Manual of Style" for Architects. Sep 15, 2005
By Michael D. Watkins
"Mike Watkins"
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.
Some may view its contents as elemental and they would be right. The problem is that too few architects receive this elemental training before receiving their license--as is clearly evident by what gets built around us.
One reviewer expressed disappointment that the book did not contain actual construction details (glad to see the determination to build it right!). Mr. Mouzon's earlier book, 1001 Construction Details, is great--with the accompanying CD, anyone that wants to get these details right should be all set.
13 of 14 found the following review helpful:
Mediocre Architecture Explained Jan 09, 2007
By Marco Antonio Abarca
Modernism has been the dominant language of architectural schools since the late 1930's. Modernism has never caught on with most of the people who commission architects to design buildigns. They want more traditional buildings that are grounded in America's architectural history. Unfortunately, most architects were not taught to design traditional buildings. As a consequence, America's suburbs are brimming with grotesque Tudors, misshaped bungalows and ackward colonial revival homes.
In this volume, Stephen Mouzon assembles a thousand photographs of architectural details. By concentrating on specific building details, he gives examples of designs that are done correctly and others that are completely fouled up. At times, it is humorous and even a bit tragic to see just how illiterate an architect can be.
I am not an architect. My hobby is to look at architecture. When I come across real train wrecks, it is easy for me to understand why they do not work. However, I often come across buildings that don't work and I have problems putting my finger on what is wrong. This volume is a field guide to all that can go wrong.
Stephen Mouzon's target audience is architects. I would hope that any architect contemplating designing a traditional building will purchase this book. A little bit of study can help spare this country further examples of embarassing architecture. I only wish this book had been written sixty years ago.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
The new traditional pattern book Sep 12, 2005
By Gregory M. Richard
Stephen Mouzon's book is a milestone work that summarizes the "do's and don'ts" of traditional architecture in a clear and precise manner. In an era when traditional architecture is enjoying a resurgence, this book is long overdue.
Although, at first, it may look like a primer the book seems to be written for both architect and contractor, professional and amateur alike...anyone who really wants to get the details right. I could see giving this book both to my architectural colleagues and my favorite contractor's alike. The work reminds me of the 19th century pattern books written by Asher Benjamin, who wrote his works just for the same purpose, to educate the master builders of his time.
Even as a practicing architect with years of traditional residential experience, I found many examples of details that I have been doing incorrectly. But now I know! Studying the work made me want to go back and tear out the embarrassments, and do it all over again. That's why I'd really recommend this book to the beginner just so they could avoid the same mistakes.
Though the book is easily read and the drawings well illustrated, I did find some of the photos difficult to clearly read, a minor complaint for such a seminal work.
9 of 10 found the following review helpful:
An excellent reference for sorting through the myriad of production housing mistakes! Jul 23, 2006
By C Cooper
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.
Steve's book would be an excellent choice for the production building industry's implementation of "Required Reading and Reference Material 101", if such a program were to exist.
The implementation of correct details in conjunction with the elimination of improper details, windows, etc. could very well provide national builders with cost-effective product in keeping with traditional architecture. Imagine that!
Excellent book... a fantastic choice for the everyday designer/architect searching for answers as to why most homes "just don't look/feel like home".
See all 18 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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