Best Architecture Study & Teaching
Travel through the history of architecture in The LEGO Architect .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I am a huge fan of the “You view it and you do it” genre of LEGO books and Tom Alphin’s The LEGO Architect book is a winner. There’s a small model you can build that illustrates each style, yet it is pretty interesting to just look at the building instructions."
"This has been a great inspiration for my son to dig back into his misc."
"Got this as a gift for our niece, an architect who loves Lego."
"Bought this for my son who loves Legos."
"Much better than the book that comes with the LEGO Architect set."
"This book is beautiful and a great companion to the Lego Architecture book!"
"Very nice."
"Nice brief history of American architecture with tLEGO examples."
Comprehensive Architect Registration Exam 5.0 Coverage The ARE 5 Review Manual has been revised – to account for a printing error on our part.If you have a copy of this book without the orange REVISED banner on the cover, you are using the incorrect book. Once the authenticity of the book you purchased is confirmed, you will need to send the book to PPI and we will replace it. David Kent Ballast, FAIA, NCARB, CSI, is the owner of Architectural Research Consulting, a firm offering information and management services to architects, interior designers, and the construction industry.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"PcM: This book serves as a guideline of what to study, but not nearly enough in depth content is provided."
"When you go through them, you get a feeling that the authors and editors threw together their "Best Guesses" tossed in a few questions and said, "Hey! Now that I've gone through my first test, I'm very tempted to throw another five hundred dollars down the toilet and get the architectexamprep materials too and use the PPI/Ballast books as supplemental material/expensive coasters."
"Examples: Page 18-21: "The most common method of preliminary sizing is to calculate the depth-to-span ratio, because this can be done even if only the structural layout and the basic use of the system are known. Page 19-12: "The inverse square law, , states that... [passage continues]". Double comma, arguably the most benign error I have come across. Page 21-8 ends with a complete sentence, page 21-9 begins: "being extended to a lower level." Page 22-11: "For exterior cladding, precast elements can be as thin as 5/8 in. Page 22-21: "When used as wall panels in one-story buildings, they usually reach from the foundation to the roof framing.two panels must be placed end to end, they are butt-jointed with flashing between.""
"The Practice Exams and Practice Problems books are full of terribly worded questions, questions that don't apply to the topics covered by the exam division, and questions that rely on obscure and unrelated assumptions which would never be on the actual exams. These materials make it HARDER to study for the exam divisions because they have so many confusing and poorly worded practice questions."
"In the sample questions they even provide the wrong answers."
"I would recommend Ballast for 4.0 ARE tests."
The Timeless Way of Building is the introductory volume in the Center for Environmental Structure series, Christopher Alexander presents in it a new theory of architecture, building, and planning which has at its core that age-old process by which the people of a society have always pulled the order of their world from their own being. Making neighborhoods, building-complexes, building, balustrades, columns, ceilings, windows, tiles, ornaments, models and mockups, paintings, furniture, castings and carvings--all this has been his passion, and is the cornerstone from which his paradigm-changing principles have been derived.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It provides enough explained theory for a person to "practice" the "timeless way of building", vernacular architecture."
"This book is a spiritual experience in the guise of an architecture book."
"FANTASTIC BOOK, CONTAINS A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT CITY PLANNING AS WELL AS ADVICE FOR DAY TO DAY LIFE."
"A timeless classic that crystallizes the process of creative synthesis based on patterns."
"I have previously read"a pattern language" by the same author, and he calls " the timeless way" his 1st volume in the series."
"I would recommend both to anyone who is planning a future home - especially a custom-built home."
"Not just for architecture folks, this book is for anyone who wants to inhabit an environment that really lives."
"This is a wonderful book."
Best Interior Lighting Design
Expanded coverage of: Acoustics; Barrier-free design; Building regulations and codes; Cost estimating and budgeting; Finishes; Lighting; Means of egress; Measurement and drafting; Project management; Quartz surfacing; Seismic restraint for ceilings; Sourcing and researching manufacturer's information; Sustainable design. Design Concepts and Programming Design Constraints Building Systems and Construction Research, Analysis, and Selection of Products and Details Communication and Documentation Project and Business Management. 9425, owns Architectural Research Consulting, a firm offering information and management services to architects, interior designers, and the construction industry.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Even with that, this book is informative enough that I know I'll be referencing it for years after the tests have passed."
"Everything you need to know and more!"
"I passed the NCIDQ so I'd say it is a good book!"
"Super expensive but a necessity to pass the NCIDQ."
"It is a must-have study guide if you plan to take the exam and not take a study course."
"I passed the exam so this book did it's job."
"Mostly worthless information presented in a very unhelpful format."
"I read the book entirely and made summaries but the Exam had very different content than what the book showed."
Best Architecture Reference
Featuring the very latest industry standards in material design, the 2015 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE SOFT COVER version offers up-to-date, comprehensive insight into the regulations surrounding the design and installation of building systems. ICC is a leading organization dedicated to developing a single set of comprehensive, coordinated national model construction codes.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"book is new no markings no page creases this is perfect thank you."
"Unfortunately, you need these if you're planning on taking the ICC Fire Inspector 1 test and have the book version of the codes."
"I find these tabs are a definite necessity with every code book."
"Perfect condition - just as described."
"Not 100% this is an authorized copy of the code, but since I only need it as a personal copy for exam review, it works fine."
"arrived on time and as described."
"Required for a Engineering Department Library."
Best Architectural History
Travel through the history of architecture in The LEGO Architect . "Stunning...be the Corbusier of LEGO.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"THIS is the book that SHOULD HAVE come with my LEGO Architecture Studio set!"
"I am a huge fan of the “You view it and you do it” genre of LEGO books and Tom Alphin’s The LEGO Architect book is a winner. There’s a small model you can build that illustrates each style, yet it is pretty interesting to just look at the building instructions."
"A nice book for kids and adults learning to work with architectural Lego."
"This has been a great inspiration for my son to dig back into his misc."
"good book if you like design, most models can be done with the lego architecture studio set, which is a big plus."
"Got this as a gift for our niece, an architect who loves Lego."
"Fun book with step by step instructions on most of the pictures."
"Bought this for my son who loves Legos."
Best Architecture Project Planning & Management
Small-firm practice, use of technologies such as BIM, and project delivery methods, such as IPD and architect-led design-build Career development and licensure for emerging professionals and state-mandated continuing education for established architects Business management topics, such as organizational development, marketing, finance, and human resources Research as an integrated aspect of architectural practice, featuring such topics as evidence-based design and research in a small-firm context. In his essay, “Architect-led Design Build and Architect as Construction Manager for Small Firms and Small Projects,” James Walbridge, AIA provides practical information on how to get started. Read David Gamble’s article, ”Architects in the Non-Profit Sector,” to gain insight into how architects are engaging in pro-bono work. Learn how this is done from François Lévy, AIA in his article, “Small Firms, Small Projects, and Building Information Modeling.” Straightforward explanations of the technology and its usage in a small firm context are provided, sharing experience gained directly from practice. Susan Jones, FAIA in her essay, “Research and Small Firm Practice,” describes how research can benefit every design practice.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A must have for any architect, designer, or intern studying for the ARE."
"Excellent source of information of all things technical in the architecture field."
"He said it helped him alot in his exams."
"Good reference book for architects and anyone else involved in design & construction."
"Also note that the mouse on a WACOM tablet does not work properly with the Wiler reader software. The installer can be downloaded from the Wiley web site located here: http://wiley.custhelp.com/ci/fattach/get/85722/. I hope this helps."
"Needed this for a collegiate course and considering it is the very book used by architects themselves, it is great."
"A great resource for anyone going into the architectural and design field."
"I would love to buy the CAD standard from Amazon too."
Best Asian Architecture
Zen temples, the famous tea ceremony, formal gardens, the use of wood, paper and other materials in the form of screens and floors—all have evolved over the years to create a varied, yet indisputably unique style. "This insightful book, filled with mesmerizing images, presents a glimpse into the changing face of Japanese design and architecture."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The book is divided into four main sections: - Reworking Tradition. - Managing Space. - Experimenting with Materials. - Personal Statements. I enjoyed reading this book from the beginning to the end."
"We're not going to redo our home in a Japanese style, but sitting and reading this book and enjoying the pictures is like a trip to the Orient."
"I am very interested in any ASIAN INTERIOR/EXTERIOR DECOR books and books on FENG SHUI, CONTEMPORARY IKEBANA, and MINIMAL DESIGN."
"There are extreme examples of that in this book. It is not an in depth analysis of great design, but more of a picture book of modern attempts. So, in that sense, the book is good since it has extreme examples of both good and bad design."
"There is definitely some magical inspiration in here, but to my personal preferences for how magical architecture and design can really be, I would only call this book "okay". Modern stuff is always a mixed lot, and that's good, but if I've going to have an architecture, design book on my shelf, well, this one lost me half way through."
"Some of the examples depicted so beautifully and discussed so shrewdly in this volume are rooted strongly in Japan's history, such as an old farmhouse relocated to Tokyo and fitted into an urban neighborhood."
"The Japanese are so good at re-interpreting their traditional architecture; furthermore this books illustrates that ability quite well... Perhaps a few details would've made it a touch (one star) better..."
"This book provides total eye candy for design enthusiasts."
Best Model Building
You'll also learn essential building techniques like how to use beams, gears, and connector blocks effectively in your own designs. The EXPLOR3R, a wheeled vehicle that uses sensors to navigate around a room and follow lines The FORMULA EV3 RACE CAR, a streamlined remote-controlled race car ANTY, a six-legged walking creature that adapts its behavior to its surroundings SK3TCHBOT, a robot that lets you play games on the EV3 screen The SNATCH3R, a robotic arm that can autonomously find, grab, lift, and move the infrared beacon LAVA R3X, a humanoid robot that walks and talks. Each chapter contains several short challenges, dubbed "discoveries," which are cleverly accompanied by a legend: whimsical gear wheels represent the estimated amount of building time; tiny Microsoft Windows-esque blocks show the expected level of programming expertise; and a small clock estimates the length of time it should take to solve the challenge. The size, advanced vocabulary, and organization of the book evokes a science or physics textbook, which is warranted due to the amount of complex and detailed programming information contained within.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is super for those who want to understand this Lego Robot machine and programming better."
"As to the educational version vs the home version..... The educational packs has all of the motors and sensors of the home version with two exceptions: the remote control sensor and related beacon. There may be a few add'l pieces that we'll need in the future to build all of the projects in this book, but we are 1/4 the way thru and haven't found them. The author has also kindly responded to specific questions (relating to education vs home versions), and has been quite helpful."
"Outstanding book I love the paper edition but also bought the Kindle edition too!"
"My grandson has built just about every project in the book and he loves it."
"I bought the book (and the Mindstorms kit) for my grandsons, but first I wanted to build one of the robots in the book and to do some programming for it in case I needed to help my grandsons with the versions they build."
"The book includes 132 practice modules spread throughout the chapters which allow for an iterative process of learning. My two sons and I (ages 9 and 11) are separately going through the book and practice/design modules with each of us tracking our progress on a tracking sheet."
"The book gives you all the information you need to understand the LabView environment and each of the basic programming blocks."
"Fantastic and thorough book."
Best Children's Model Building Books
LEGO Chain Reactions is packed full of ideas, instructions, and inspiration for 10 LEGO machines that spin, swing, pivot, roll, lift, and drop. Our team of experts worked with educators and 11-year-olds to invent the machines, then wrote a book that teaches the skills (and some of the physics behind the fun) kids need to create their own amazing chain reaction machines. Includes a 80 page instructional book with Klutz certified crystal-clear instructions.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A lot of thought and effort went into the chain reaction concepts and resulting projects. The chain reaction projects aren't that at all. They are challenging in my view mostly because of the need for precision alignment between the paper parts and the Lego motion actuators the kids assemble to create the Chain the Reaction. The greatest joy my grandson experienced (and it was great joy) was the moment the first project functioned properly for the first time after several complete and partial failures (just as his patience was wearing thin) and then joy again once the chain reaction was rehearsed and easily repeatable so as to show his parents without failure. In summary, it appears that, assuming success along the way, the complicated chain reactions are fun for children to assemble, challenging to make fully, reliably functional and thrilling once they work for that first time."
"The Lego pieces supplied are mainly specialty pieces, to complete the machines. so your choices are - (a) buy the book, if you know the recipient has an extensive supply of excess Lego (b) buy the book, and the additional Lego you need (c) buy the book and get creative around what you can substitute for the additional required pieces - (book stacks are suggested in place of the towers, but I think would be unstable and difficult to get the components to align sufficiently for the machine to work)."
"Wow!"
"The second project requires 4 2x1 bricks, 10 3x1 bricks, 6 4x1 bricks "from your collection"."
Best Interior Design Reference
Expanded coverage of: Acoustics; Barrier-free design; Building regulations and codes; Cost estimating and budgeting; Finishes; Lighting; Means of egress; Measurement and drafting; Project management; Quartz surfacing; Seismic restraint for ceilings; Sourcing and researching manufacturer's information; Sustainable design. Design Concepts and Programming Design Constraints Building Systems and Construction Research, Analysis, and Selection of Products and Details Communication and Documentation Project and Business Management. 9425, owns Architectural Research Consulting, a firm offering information and management services to architects, interior designers, and the construction industry.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Even with that, this book is informative enough that I know I'll be referencing it for years after the tests have passed."
"Everything you need to know and more!"
"I passed the NCIDQ so I'd say it is a good book!"
"Super expensive but a necessity to pass the NCIDQ."
"It is a must-have study guide if you plan to take the exam and not take a study course."
"I passed the exam so this book did it's job."
"Mostly worthless information presented in a very unhelpful format."
"I read the book entirely and made summaries but the Exam had very different content than what the book showed."