Customer Reviews

Digital Architecture

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

 

 

I am sorry to say that i was disappointed with this book after purchase. At initial glance i do acknowledge that this book is well presented with full color pages. But after close analysis i can say that certain illustrations are repeated and could also be accessed through the internet. The text is brief and can be recommended only for the new entry would-be computer designer and lacks the depth for the serious architect. Furthermore the author has wasted much space in the book describing the programs, hardware etc that the architecture firms have employed, that is non-relevant and is extensively iterated that tends to annoyance and frustration for the reader. The feeling here is that a good opportunity has gone begging due to a lack of thorough research into the works presented and a great reliance on colour illustrations that lack the information to support them.

I read this book in 2003, so this might be the reason I wasn't thrilled. The topic is interesting, but in a few years, the content gets so dated, that it is frustrating: the render quality might have been good those days, but the clear lack of indirect lighting, the deepblack shadows which erase all shading details, the use of clean, raytraced reflections makes it very computer-looking.
A current book like Exposé, by Ballistic Publishing, with more art-oriented computer works is clearly a major leap forward: attention to detail, materials, dirt & grime (not only for the architectural renderings).
And the long lists of displayed hardware & software might have been interesting at the time of publishing, but this has become largely irrelevant after even a short time. It is better to not go into much detail about these facts.
There is also a great lack of detailed information about "how things are done".
So I can't recommend the book.

The book not only gives examples of what is going on in Architectural design in the offices using digital technics, but also defines clearly the process of designing and the use of computers effectively within that process. Impressive images, short and clear definitions of methods as well as hardware and software. I recommend it not only for practicing architects but researchers in this area as well as students of architecture...

i have to echo the other review's comments - this is an excellent book, full of great ideas for graphic presentations. i've owned this book for several months now, and i refer to it almost weekly. another great title in this area is "hyper-realistic" - check it out.

I found this book to be a real breakthrough in its genre. It is beautifully composed as graphic presentation. The images included are varied and plentiful, presented by all types and sizes of firms. Unlike most books of this type, the written descriptions are informative and worth reading.