Customer Reviews

Brick Pavement and Fence - Walls: Authentic Details for Design and Restoration

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Peter Joel Harrison provides a valuable service to architects, designers, preservationists, landscapers and homeowners by researching, recording and presenting the details of historic homes and gardens. His books, full of accurate drawings of period fences, gates, gazebos, trellises, pavement and garden walls, are tools for anyone who's restoring an 18th or 19th century home or landscape and inspiration for anyone who hopes to infuse some of yesterday's charm into a new building. I used Brick Pavement and Fence-Walls for ideas on some new garden walls in Richmond, Virginia. They look almost as elegant as Harrison's examples from James River plantations, and seem just right for their location.

At first glance, the book resembles an ancient work by Palladio or other. The drawings are beautifully simple yet a bit coarse for today's standards. The book is made up mostly of patterns and elevations; text is limited to a 13-page index and a some explanations on tools and methods. Overall, the book is quite useful, but missing are the following: pictures, better diagrams, some data about the architect, etc.

Although the format is absolutely stunning (meant to resemble an old manuscript), this book is not for everyone. It should appeal to the designer, architect or contractor.