A Visual Dictionary of Architecture

A Visual Dictionary of Architecture

4.2 of 5 stars 4.20  ·  rating details  ·  310 ratings  ·  13 reviews
This book defines over 5,000 terms relating to architectural design, history, and technology. It is the only dictionary that provides concise, accurate definitions illustrated with finely detailed, hand-rendered drawings, each executed in Mr. Ching's signature style.
Paperback, 320 pages
Published November 28th 1996 by John Wiley & Sons (first published 1995)
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Forrest
I am not an architect and now I don't need to be. I bought this book purely as a reference for my writing craft, and I am very glad I did so. This is the Gray's Anatomy of architecture, if you will, presented in an easy to digest visual manner. It takes some digging to find exactly what you want, because the book is organized so that taxonomic categories and theoretical ideas are interspersed in a way that doesn't always make sense, but, if it's architectural in any way, it's in there. An extrem...more
Mike
This is the most fantastic and complete architectural reference I have ever encountered.

No one knows all the little, pedantic architectural terms you need to study the built world. This book not only has all of them but is full of beautiful and informative illustrations. Everyone who studies architecture; students in: art history, architecture, historic preservation and engineering should have a copy of this book on hand.

Check it out from a library, see how useful it is and then go buy it.
Jessie Moberg
Excellent reference for architecture terminology and concepts - both common and obscure. I read it cover to cover as a supplement to my exam prep books.
Rebecca
A visual exploration of architectural spaces, using structures around the world. Terrific book for students of all levels.
Nidhi Patel
It's the best book I ever read for the basic spells used in architecture...
Dawn
Very useful to have at hand.
Marco
Jun 05, 2009 Marco added it
roof
Elaine
I have read this book during my review for the board exams and I found it very useful. Everything was categorized, illustrated and described for easy reference and understanding. So far, this is the best reference for students of architecture and design.
Judith
Very thorough! Excellent reference.
Rebecca
Nov 07, 2007 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: new architectural surveyors
Handy book when you're learning how to describe buildings.
Badr Abdi
May 20, 2013 Badr Abdi marked it as to-read
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May 19, 2013 Jay marked it as to-read
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A Visual Dictionary of Architecture (Hardcover)
Diccionario Visual De Arquitectura (Paperback)
A Visual Dictionary of Architecture (Hardcover)
Diccionario Visual De Arquitectura / A Visual Dictionary Of Architecture (Spanish Edition)
A Visual Dictionary of Architecture (Paperback)

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Frank (Francis D. K.) Ching (born 1943) is a widely recognized author of books addressing architectural and design graphics. Ching's books have been widely influential and continue to shape the visual language of all fields of design. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington.
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