I wonder if any one can recommend some good books on detailing. I know the magazine detail is a good source. I bought a book published by them on custom house details, which is pretty good. But on commercial buildings, any one knows some good book? Usually you find books with nice pictures and designs. But how to get there, how to make it happen is the problem I'm facing. Anyone has recommendation on how to learn detailing, to make your vision come true? I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
Yes, I got Ford's Details of Modern Architecture Vol1. It's pretty good. But more early modern buildings.
I wonder if there are details on more recent buildings.
thannah01, I also got Ching's book. That covers more basic construction, not a lot of custom details.
detail magazine also has a series of 'construction manuals', which are like glorified graphic standards devoted to only one area of a building. we have the roof, glass, masonry and concrete manuals. the glass and roof are the best of the lot, imho. lots of more generic principles (with illustrations) and lots of specific, recent projects that show things as well. be warned - the roof manual is only for pitched roofs...
Laru, Thanks for your response. I wonder how can you get these series of "construction manuals"? Do you have to subscribe the magazine or is it a book you can buy?
I also find a series of book called "In detail:" I have the single family one which is really good. I wonder if any one has others and are they really helpful? Thank yoU!
Thanks for all the recommendations. detailing by manufacture is a good source. My situation right now is more related to design. I have a flat roof, but the edge of the roof is too think with insulations and structural framing. I'm trying to figure out what kind of details will help to solve that, to achieve a thin edge on the roof. I don't think manufacture will cover that.
Architphil, I will check out Manual: The Architecture of Kieran Timberlake.
Reason,
As laru said, "construction manuals" by the publisher of Detail magazine are very good, and you can buy them at Amazon, or order them directly from Germany. You don't have to subscribe the magazine to buy these manuals. Somewhat expensive, though.
El Corquis is sometimes a good source. look for the issues that feature smaller firms that have a portfolio of built stuff...
(rather than starchitects)
"glass construction manual"
"timber cosntruction manual"
"steel construction manual"
"concrete construction manual"
"mansonary construction manual"
"constructing architecture"
"roof construction manual"
all published by Birkhauser ; In Detail series
pretty expensive but worth every cent
i walk around the city a lot looking at buildings and take pics of the good details. most are too expensive for me to use, but is still a good way to learn. am lucky to be in tokyo and lots of good buildings around.
the japanese mag/book JA does a detail special once a year that is very good (and in English), called "space in detail". they also did a special on Takenaka, which is a sort of higher end super builder (they hire architects rather than work with them) that is known for its very rarified detailing. too over-cooked for my taste but undeniably well thought out and better than most corporate detailing. they do amazing things with steel, and since the contractors are liable here rather than the architects (so what do we need a licence for?) they are probably fairly good from a funcitonal standpoint as well. most archi-libraries will have these in their library.
New book from PAP -- Materials for Design. Good choice of projects with clear details. Looks great. The blurb from Amazon:
As architecture programs throughout the country break out of the classroom and adopt the holistic methods of design/build programs, the need for a textbook that bridges the gap between construction materials and design sensibility is sorely needed. Materials for Design is that book.
How does a choice of material affects the form and look of a structure; how does inspired design can inject any material with true personality and zeal. Broken into five sections—glass, wood, metals, plastics, and concrete—Materials for Design makes a thorough study of each material's properties, followed by a series of 10–12 case studies of that material put to imaginative use by today's brightest architects from around the world.
There is no other book on the market that tackles material details so thoroughly while presenting lush, inspired color photographs, plan drawings, and detailed architectural diagrams.
Good books on detailing
I wonder if any one can recommend some good books on detailing. I know the magazine detail is a good source. I bought a book published by them on custom house details, which is pretty good. But on commercial buildings, any one knows some good book? Usually you find books with nice pictures and designs. But how to get there, how to make it happen is the problem I'm facing. Anyone has recommendation on how to learn detailing, to make your vision come true? I would really appreciate it. Thank you!
I have found a good resource to be Building Construction Illustrated By Ching
Ford's [i]Details of Modern Architecture[i/]
any book on Carlo Scarpa
Ford's Details of Modern Architecture
any book on Carlo Scarpa
Yes, I got Ford's Details of Modern Architecture Vol1. It's pretty good. But more early modern buildings.
I wonder if there are details on more recent buildings.
thannah01, I also got Ching's book. That covers more basic construction, not a lot of custom details.
More recommendations?
detail magazine also has a series of 'construction manuals', which are like glorified graphic standards devoted to only one area of a building. we have the roof, glass, masonry and concrete manuals. the glass and roof are the best of the lot, imho. lots of more generic principles (with illustrations) and lots of specific, recent projects that show things as well. be warned - the roof manual is only for pitched roofs...
Laru, Thanks for your response. I wonder how can you get these series of "construction manuals"? Do you have to subscribe the magazine or is it a book you can buy?
I also find a series of book called "In detail:" I have the single family one which is really good. I wonder if any one has others and are they really helpful? Thank yoU!
straight from the manufacturer as j suggests...
or architectural graphic standards...
also, Manual: The Architecture of Kieran Timberlake has some great detail drawings in it...
did someone recommend CHING!? ah god, what is the world coming to!? will no one teach these lost souls!?
i do the 'j'...whatever the manufacturer recommends...
otherwise...use a BMFCJ!!!!
Thanks for all the recommendations. detailing by manufacture is a good source. My situation right now is more related to design. I have a flat roof, but the edge of the roof is too think with insulations and structural framing. I'm trying to figure out what kind of details will help to solve that, to achieve a thin edge on the roof. I don't think manufacture will cover that.
Architphil, I will check out Manual: The Architecture of Kieran Timberlake.
Reason,
As laru said, "construction manuals" by the publisher of Detail magazine are very good, and you can buy them at Amazon, or order them directly from Germany. You don't have to subscribe the magazine to buy these manuals. Somewhat expensive, though.
El Corquis is sometimes a good source. look for the issues that feature smaller firms that have a portfolio of built stuff...
(rather than starchitects)
"glass construction manual"
"timber cosntruction manual"
"steel construction manual"
"concrete construction manual"
"mansonary construction manual"
"constructing architecture"
"roof construction manual"
all published by Birkhauser ; In Detail series
pretty expensive but worth every cent
Thanks for all the information. It seems I have to start saving now to get some good detail books.
i walk around the city a lot looking at buildings and take pics of the good details. most are too expensive for me to use, but is still a good way to learn. am lucky to be in tokyo and lots of good buildings around.
the japanese mag/book JA does a detail special once a year that is very good (and in English), called "space in detail". they also did a special on Takenaka, which is a sort of higher end super builder (they hire architects rather than work with them) that is known for its very rarified detailing. too over-cooked for my taste but undeniably well thought out and better than most corporate detailing. they do amazing things with steel, and since the contractors are liable here rather than the architects (so what do we need a licence for?) they are probably fairly good from a funcitonal standpoint as well. most archi-libraries will have these in their library.
"... a how-to book for self-builders in Buenos Aires."
http://archinect.com/features/article.php?id=35227_0_23_0_C
New book from PAP -- Materials for Design. Good choice of projects with clear details. Looks great. The blurb from Amazon:
As architecture programs throughout the country break out of the classroom and adopt the holistic methods of design/build programs, the need for a textbook that bridges the gap between construction materials and design sensibility is sorely needed. Materials for Design is that book.
How does a choice of material affects the form and look of a structure; how does inspired design can inject any material with true personality and zeal. Broken into five sections—glass, wood, metals, plastics, and concrete—Materials for Design makes a thorough study of each material's properties, followed by a series of 10–12 case studies of that material put to imaginative use by today's brightest architects from around the world.
There is no other book on the market that tackles material details so thoroughly while presenting lush, inspired color photographs, plan drawings, and detailed architectural diagrams.
Materials for Design on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1568985584/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2/102-4343343-3373723?%5Fencoding=UTF8
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