Brick in the Landscape: A Practical Guide to Specification and Design (Material in Landscape Architecture and Site Design) [Paperback]

Rob W. Sovinski (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 047129358X | ISBN-13: 978-0471293583 | Publication Date: September 2, 1999 | Edition: 1

The Only Comprehensive Guide to Brick Specifically for Landscape Architects "Nothing remarkable about a brick, is there? A brick is a brick so far as most people are concerned. And it is not a very beautiful thing, is it? But what you can do with it!" -Frank Lloyd Wright Brick was one of the first manufactured building materials. Today, it continues to be one of the most popular building materials in the world, thanks to its unparalleled versatility, durability, warmth, and aesthetic richness. And nowhere are these attributes more evident than in the designed landscape. Brick in the Landscape gives you the information you need to exploit brick's full potential in your design work. The first and only complete guide to the properties, use, selection, and installation of brick written from the landscape architect's perspective, it is destined to become a staple in your practice. Brick in the Landscape provides full, detailed coverage of all relevant technical aspects of brick, including materials and properties, finishes and bonds, classifications and shapes. It also familiarizes you with virtually all known bricklaying and masonry methods and techniques, including numerous all-but-forgotten, yet still viable, techniques. At the same time, Brick in the Landscape is an enduring source of inspiration and ideas. Generously supplemented with more than 100 photographs illustrating various building systems as well as both common and innovative applications of brick in landscape design, it will awaken you to the nearly unlimited potential of brick to enhance your designs. Brick in the Landscape is an indispensable tool for landscape architects, landscape designers, and architects who provide site-planning services.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Only Comprehensive Guide to Brick Specifically for Landscape Architects "Nothing remarkable about a brick, is there? A brick is a brick so far as most people are concerned. And it is not a very beautiful thing, is it? But what you can do with it!" -Frank Lloyd Wright Brick was one of the first manufactured building materials. Today, it continues to be one of the most popular building materials in the world, thanks to its unparalleled versatility, durability, warmth, and aesthetic richness. And nowhere are these attributes more evident than in the designed landscape. Brick in the Landscape gives you the information you need to exploit brick's full potential in your design work. The first and only complete guide to the properties, use, selection, and installation of brick written from the landscape architect's perspective, it is destined to become a staple in your practice. Brick in the Landscape provides full, detailed coverage of all relevant technical aspects of brick, including materials and properties, finishes and bonds, classifications and shapes. It also familiarizes you with virtually all known bricklaying and masonry methods and techniques, including numerous all-but-forgotten, yet still viable, techniques. At the same time, Brick in the Landscape is an enduring source of inspiration and ideas. Generously supplemented with more than 100 photographs illustrating various building systems as well as both common and innovative applications of brick in landscape design, it will awaken you to the nearly unlimited potential of brick to enhance your designs. Brick in the Landscape is an indispensable tool for landscape architects, landscape designers, and architects who provide site-planning services.

About the Author

ROB W. SOVINSKI, ASLA, is an associate professor of landscape architecture at Purdue University. He has fifteen years of experience in professional practice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 2, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047129358X
• ISBN-13: 978-0471293583
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,067,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Landscape Architecture Magazine, Vol. 90, No. 1, January 28, 2000

By 

-Staff - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brick in the Landscape: A Practical Guide to Specification and Design (Material in Landscape Architecture and Site Design) (Paperback)

Brick is, Sovinski writes, "the real thing". Its applications in the landscape are seemingly endless, and the author takes us far beyond Jefferson' seprentine walls at the University of Virginia. The properties, specifications, designs, and other technical aspects of using brick are all carefully detailed. A glossary of brick terms and a list of metric standards for brick masonry are also helpful.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Brick News, Vol. 12, No. 8, January 28, 2000

By 

Brian Trimble, Brick Industry Association - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brick in the Landscape: A Practical Guide to Specification and Design (Material in Landscape Architecture and Site Design) (Paperback)

A new book on brick landscaping is out and it looks to provide useful guidance to designers. Brick in the Landscape covers applications such as walls, pavements, piers and steps all in one place. It is filled with photos and details which are sure to be useful for the designer. The book draws heavily from BIA's Technical Notes.

Brick in the Landscape discusses why to use brick in its introduction. It then proceeds to give a brief history of brick with a concise description of the manufacturing process. Brick sizes, types and shapes are described with accompanying photos. Applications of brick are well covered with pertinent information included to aid the designer. Finally, design considerations such as bond patterns, joint design and other special techniques are explained. Within each section a handy feature called "The Busy Designer's Quick Reference Guide" provides a summary of the preceding chapter.

Author, Rob Sovinski is a landscape architecture professor at Purdue University. No stranger to the masonry industry, every year he puts on the Boiler Brick Bowl. This past year he had over 50 students designing and constructing brick planters. This gets landscape architecture students learning early what brick can do.