The Art of Construction: Projects and Principles for Beginning Engineers & Architects

by Mario Salvadori, Christopher Ragus (Illustrator), Mario Salvadori

Students discover the basic principles necessary to build all types of structures used in everyday life including bridges, skyscrapers, and other architectural gems. Line art illustrations help to explain projects that demonstrate how these principles keep structures solid. Perfect for kids who wonder why, and love to figure things out! All projects are easily done with materials found around-the-house.

Genres: Architecture, Science, Engineering, Nonfiction, Construction

149 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2000

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this five stars except that I reserve that rating for books of more universal appeal. I have to admit, I did not read all of this. However, I did examine it carefully, and have decided that it is...

... *Wonderful* for the target audience. Any youngster interested in Lego blocks, toothpick bridges, the "World of Goo" video game, etc., would love this and learn a lot. Any teen considering a career in any field related to architecture, civil engineering, etc., would too. Artists, particularly sculptors, could refer to this, as could authors writing about the subjects.

Illustrations, index, and at least one project to try.

Best, I think, for ages 8-12?

[Hunan Rostomyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

[Kurtbg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I originally picked up the book "Why buildings stand up" by Mario Salvadori when I developed an interest in architecture and wanted to learn more.
A quarter of the way through I felt I needed a primer on the basic principles of architecture, and lo and behold, the author had written one.
Albeit, this book is for a younger crowd, it does a wonderful job in presenting basic concepts such as tension, compression, load, thrust, and more. Each concept is illustrated with simple constructions the reader can build using common materials. This helps to bring the concepts to life. Many of these exercises would also work in illustrating basic concepts of physics. Now, on to complete "Why buildings stand up"...

[Rachel Bayles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can make anyone believe they want to be a civil engineer.

[Alexandre Gomes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really recommend this book for someone like me that is a newbie to the world of construction and wants to learn the basics. The author manages to transfer a huge amount of expert knowledge in less than two hundred pages (with lots of really helpful diagrams) that might make the difference if you’re planning to build or oversee the construction of your house or some kind of structure. Really one of the best dollar per value books I have ever purchased.

[Haider · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need more books like these. People like Mario Salvadori are angels for humankinds. It attracts not only particular disciplinary people but also laymen whom are interested in civil engineering.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Kenar]

This book was actually really good. I had actually read it so it could be one of my sources for my bridge project but it was actually better than i thought. It basically goes over the process of constructing buildings and really teaches people engineering and architectural terms. Since i want to be an architect of some sort in the future, it really intrigued me to the point where i read it nonstop until i finished it. If anyone wants to be an engineer or an architect, this is the book for them.

[Leanna Aker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually, a pretty cool book. Basics of engineering in a non-technical language.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer, which makes sense as it was written for kids. Not at all patronizing though. Great for people of all ages who want to learn he basics of construction.

[Yonna Yudiartanto · Rating 5 out of 5]

good source for new architect

[Muhammd Rifqi]

this a nice book help in college

[Jennifer]

Excellent book for middle/high school. Discusses tension, compression, and other forces as they relate to buildings, bridges, and other structures. Provides numerous ideas for hands-on demonstrations, with good diagrams to reinforce the text. It has an index but no glossary.

I plan to use this as one of the primary texts in a middle school unit study on bridges.