Customer Reviews

Italian Pavements: Patterns in Space

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

 

 

This stunning look into pavement design of the past 2000 years is brilliantly executed--from the detailed drawings to the in-depth analysis of mathematical principles and design principles/patterns, this book is a treat for my eyes and my mind. In working on my PhD in the stone and paving methods of Rome (and beyond), I've found Ms. Williams book fills a hole in academia left vacant for far too long. You love architecture/history/church building/math/ or design? You must have this gorgeous gift.

Wonderfully conceived, researched and illustrated, this is a book which beautifully answers some of the fundamental questions as to the why and how of paving. When I walk through the majestic spaces mentioned in Ms. Williams book I will do so with my curious eyes glued to the ground for a change. Truly a fantastic book; a good read be it for the layman or as a much needed point of reference for the learnèd. The illustrations are almost as good as being there.

I discovered this book searching for information on Cosmati designs and was delighted with it when it arrived. After looking at murky photos and trying to understand garbled descriptions of geometry in other books, I appreciated the fabulous painstaking in-plane illustrations. The "reader-friendly" (at least to an artist) explanations of mathematics and geometry were an enlightening bonus. This book will be particulary helpful to designers and others who want clarity, great presentation, and concise information.

This is a must book for history students of the Roman and Tuscan buildings. Contains 58 outstanding drawings of examples of Italian art pavemennt and the text explains them in detail. All architects and designers need a copy.