This is a book that students of architecture will want to keep in thestudio and in their backpacks. It is also a book they may want to keep out ... read full description
reviews
Jan 26, 2012
C.S.
rated it: 
Dear Reader,
As a future Architecture student who has taken some design classes in my nearest community classes, I find this book honest, insightful, and slightly comedic about what really happens to student in Architecture school. I find myself nodding and giggling at every "thing". It was just hilarious. It was very helpful too. It made me realize that I'm not alone in my thoughts and feelings about this area of study. I was actually beaming when I turn page after page. Th More...
As a future Architecture student who has taken some design classes in my nearest community classes, I find this book honest, insightful, and slightly comedic about what really happens to student in Architecture school. I find myself nodding and giggling at every "thing". It was just hilarious. It was very helpful too. It made me realize that I'm not alone in my thoughts and feelings about this area of study. I was actually beaming when I turn page after page. Th More...
Nov 12, 2009
Nate
rated it:
We've all heard that we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover--but as with wine bottles, the cover may not be the whole story, but it's not irrelevant either. In this case, the unfinished cardboard front cover, embossed type juxtaposed with pen drawing, classic red/black/white color scheme, and chunky horizontal layout all suggest, rightly, that Mr. Frederick has an aesthetic voice worth listening to. The structure of the book's content--illustrative sketch on the left, general principle
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Jul 29, 2011
irfan
rated it: 
I thought this book was going to be one of those atypical 101 lists of things that one can common sense-sically come out with even with a basic understanding of architecture. But boy was I wrong. Even though the lists were sometimes short and cryptic in nature, it is indeed insightful and interesting to note some of the aspects that have been deemed important enough to in the list. What is interesting too is the idea that a significant majority of those in the lists are also conceptually applica
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Oct 06, 2011
Adam
rated it:
A quick-to-read whirlwind tour of some of the principles of architecture. A smattering:
* Negative and positive spaces and circulation. People move through negative space and dwell in positive spaces.
* "parti" is a word for the big idea that holds together a design, much like an author's thesis.
* Architects work holistically, touching on everything but being an expert in nothing. (Engineers, by contrast, are a deep expert on one particular thing.)
* "Fabr More...
* Negative and positive spaces and circulation. People move through negative space and dwell in positive spaces.
* "parti" is a word for the big idea that holds together a design, much like an author's thesis.
* Architects work holistically, touching on everything but being an expert in nothing. (Engineers, by contrast, are a deep expert on one particular thing.)
* "Fabr More...
Apr 18, 2009
M.
rated it: 
A) Parts of this seem relevant w/r/t design even outside of an architectural process. What this means is that I wish I had been told several of these things when first starting "art" school.
B) I am considering applying to architecture schools/programs next year and I am trying to read in order to get a grip on whether or not it is actually something I want to do. Content here implies that it probably is.
C) I think I might actually like a copy as a reference, there More...
B) I am considering applying to architecture schools/programs next year and I am trying to read in order to get a grip on whether or not it is actually something I want to do. Content here implies that it probably is.
C) I think I might actually like a copy as a reference, there More...
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 29, 2009
I actually bought this as a graduation present for my little brother (he will be done with high school this spring...I still can't entirely believe it, it seems like just yesterday we were seven and five years old, sharing a room...), but found the premise so adorable & the book so accessible even though I have NO interest in architecture as a career path that I decided to read it anyway. So I did. It has good advice for anyone of an artistic vocation, I think, and gave a very interesting view
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Feb 17, 2011
Lucius Kwok
rated it:
This one is more for architecture students than anyone else. The main problem is that if you haven't gone through architecture school, the often contradictory and terse advice in this book won't make much sense. It ends up being a series of motivational posters of a boat if you don't have the background in some kind of design field. But for those who are designers, this is a great thing to flip open and remind ourselves of the years of training we have.
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Apr 12, 2010
Tish
rated it:
This book is written for architecture students, but I think it's useful to anyone embarking on a creative project. It's about how the human mind moves through and understands space -- and since "space" is, in a sense, both physical AND mental, its lessons are useful for designing anything that requires navigation. Plus, every concept has a picture. Pictures are the best!
Sep 07, 2011
Danny
rated it:
i love this book i could read it over and over again. it is a great read that boosts creativity by looking at architecture in so many different ways. it doesnt talk about the styles of architecture rather the different ways on aproaching the creation and placement of the building-and things like that.
Nov 20, 2009
Dyonne
rated it:
Love it! Uncanny how he is able to distill concepts, ideas, practices, & even the unspoken rules of architecture to this short handbook. Graphics are great and fully inline with how we architects/designers choose to best gather our information anyway!
Sep 19, 2011
Kshipra
rated it:
simple writing. Its like a collection of little useful facts and sketches from a notebook.
tips varying from basic drawing schemes, to bigger scheme of things.
A great book to help you think clearly how to go about the design process if you're stuck
tips varying from basic drawing schemes, to bigger scheme of things.
A great book to help you think clearly how to go about the design process if you're stuck
Dec 07, 2008
Ivy says:
I couldn't recommend this more for design students! It has all of the key points that should be gleaned from your first studios and lectures, and maybe some good reminders for established architects a well.
I couldn't recommend this more for design students! It has all of the key points that should be gleaned from your first studios and lectures, and maybe some good reminders for established architects a well.
Jan 09, 2012
Lauretta
rated it:
This was a great break-time book. Makes you re-think about all those things you didn't realize you already forgot from those first years. Also makes sure to remind you not to take yourself too seriously.
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Oct 26, 2009
Will
rated it:
Tidbits of good things for us, the non-architects. How to draw a line ... really ... there is a better way, Frederick shows you on page 1 and right there, it becomes worth the price.
Dec 09, 2009
I just pick this up now and then. Each page stands alone and each page is a great lesson. As someone who wishes she had gone architecture school I love all that I'm learning.
Jan 08, 2010
Trenton
rated it:
Should be 101 Things I learned in my first year of architecture school but still incredibly valuable. This book is a cheat code for the first semester.
Jul 30, 2010
Amy
rated it:
Concise and cute! A short little handbook for architecture student that make you smile each time you read. It had a small statement/short statements, and then simple images. Concise and right to the point.
By the time I got this book, I have already learn a lot from my architecture classes, but having this book helps me remember and concentrate better sometimes. Flipping through it often gives me "Aha! Now I remember!" moment. It reminds me of the simple but key lessons I learned More...
By the time I got this book, I have already learn a lot from my architecture classes, but having this book helps me remember and concentrate better sometimes. Flipping through it often gives me "Aha! Now I remember!" moment. It reminds me of the simple but key lessons I learned More...
Dec 30, 2010
F.S.
rated it:
I enjoyed this - a pithy way to find out what kinds of things people learn in architecture school without paying all that tuition.
Sep 24, 2009
Corey
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What I thought would be a humorous reflection turned out to be a clever succinct little collection of ideas and lessons.
Jan 02, 2009
Søren
rated it:
Pretty good, straight forward. Several interesting opinions I hadn't thought about before, like the Dick van Dyke step.
Aug 23, 2011
Dalal
rated it:
amazing clear and simple! it gives you what you need to learn about architecture in the shortest words and simplest way
Apr 14, 2010
Sazuru
rated it:
A wonderful, sensible, inspiring little book for anyone designing anything...or anyone interested in buildings.
Mar 18, 2011
Kast
rated it:
humorous in simple sketch to explain the idea but its nail .Its a worth advice in a simple presentation.
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Sep 15, 2011
Hunter
rated it:
i don't know anything about architecture, but this was interesting and easy to understand
Dec 07, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
This is a fun little book to keep on the nightstand. Informative and witty.
Dec 08, 2009
Archagon
rated it:
A lot of these ideas can be applied to game design and other arts in general.
