Dictionary of Architecture and Construction (Dictionary of Architecture & Construction) [Hardcover]

Cyril Harris (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071452370 | ISBN-13: 978-0071452373 | Publication Date: August 15, 2005 | Edition: 4

Updated and expanded, this Fourth Edition of the most trusted reference in architecture offers the most comprehensive coverage of architectural and construction terms available. This classic dictionary now features nearly 25,000 definitions (including 2,800 new terms), 2,500 illustrations (including 200 new illustrations), and maintains its extraordinary visual appeal and easy-to-read page design. Prepared by a renowned architectural editor in association with expert contributors and incorporating the work of many standards groups, the book presents clear, concise definitions of terms in nearly 80 working areas. The Fourth Edition covers new industry terms which have emerged due to changes in engineering and building technologies, organizations, materials, and legal developments, and has been expanded to include more historic architectural styles. New terms include: Legal Architectural Barriers Act Wheelchair Accessible Materials Fibrous Concrete Latex Mortar Polymer-Based Stucco Concrete Compliance Conformity Refractory Mortar Organizations Building Research Establishment (formerly Building Research Station) of Great Britain ASTM Historic Architectural Styles Anglo-Palladianism French Victorian Isabellino Mudajar Mozarabic Neo-Rococo

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

2500 NEW TERMS -- 100 NEW ILLUSTRATIONS

This massive compendium by a renowned architectural editor and 50 expert contributors features over 2300 line drawings and clear, concise definitions of more than 27,000 important architecture and construction terms. The most definitive reference in the field, Cyril M. Harris's Dictionary of Architecture and Construction brings you the broadest possible coverage of the language of architecture and building construction. Special care has been taken to include the latest terms in legal areas, technologies, techniques, materials, organizations, historic architectural styles, and architectural trends.

This essential dictionary is one of the most trusted references in architecture and building technology -- cited in numerous other leading references and recommended by the faculties of many top schools. It covers drawings and specifications ... building products and materials, including their design, appearance, performance, installation, and testing ... finishes, coatings, and surfacings ... types of units, assemblies, systems, and modules ... tools, devices, machines, and construction equipment, and much more. It's the one definitive resource every architect and contractor needs to own.

Revised, updated, and expanded, this comprehensive new edition features:

• More than 27,000 definitions in clear, concise language
• Over 2300 illustrations
• Full coverage of new technologies and new building materials
• Expanded emphasis on legal, organizational, and historic architectural terms, reflecting their increased importance in the field

About the Author

Cyril M. Harris, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Architecture and Charles Batchelor Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering at Columbia University. A professor at Columbia since 1952, he has taught in the School of Engineering and Applied Science as well as the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, where he served as chairperson of the Division of Architectural Technology for 10 years. Dr. Harris has achieved international recognition for his work in noise control and auditorium design. He received the AIA Medal of the American Institute of Architects; the Gold Medal, as well as the W. C. Sabine Medal, of the Acoustical Society of America; the Gold Medal of the Audio Engineering Society; and the Franklin Medal of the Franklin Institute. Dr. Harris is a member of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. He received his Ph.D. in physics from M.I.T.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1040 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 4 edition (August 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071452370
• ISBN-13: 978-0071452373
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.6 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,791 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #78 in Books > Science & Math > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dictionary of Architecture & Construction, June 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dictionary of Architecture & Construction (Hardcover)

A must-have for students and professionals alike. Clear definitions, useful illustrations, everyday terminology. Contains terms used by building professionals in coordinating with other trades. Resolves office terminology disagreements to provide for more accurate construction documents. For non-professionals - gain the knowledge you need in order intelligently communicate your needs to your architect or contractor.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Standard by Which Others are Compared, October 19, 2005

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dictionary of Architecture and Construction (Dictionary of Architecture & Construction) (Hardcover)

The masterpiece. Now upgraded with some 2,800 new terms for a total of 25,000, and 200 new illustrations for a total of 2,500, this book is in its fourth edition.

Architecture and Construction like any profession has developed it's own terminology its own jargon. An outsider coming into the field is faced with a daunting task just to be able to communicate with the professionals in the business.

The dictionary is designed to be comprehensive in scope. Its range spans terms encountered in the practiceof architecture from Classical to green, from traditional materials to the latest products, from precise definitions of architectural styles to the particulars of specification writing.

In addition to the physical construction terms, the dictionary covers ancillary areas such as electrical, fire, security, waste disposal, water supply. In short the dictionary covers every specialized word, every specialized meaning of standard words that are to be encountered in the building of a building of any size from house to cathedral.

Simply put, this is the standard of the industry.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete, Easy to Use, July 3, 2007

By 

M. Metzler (PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dictionary of Architecture and Construction (Dictionary of Architecture & Construction) (Hardcover)

This book is the most complete I have ever come across, and extremely easy to use. The illustrations (2500) and terms (26000) are well-described and easy to use, yet concise. As a Project Manager for a General Contractor, I find this book extremely handy in the construction world. Working with an Architect on a daily basis, I find myself using it several times per day sometimes. You can never learn every term in architecture and construction, but this book will help you learn those unfamiliar words we come across every single day in construction and architecture.