Materials, Structures, and Standards: All the Details Architects Need to Know But Can Never Find [Turtleback]

Julia McMorrough (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2006

Most architectural standards references contain thousands of pages of details-overwhelmingly more than architects need to know to know on any given day. Now there is a place where architects can find vital information essential to planning and executing architectural projects of all shapes and sizes-in a format that is small enough to carry anywhere. Materials, Structures, and Standards distills the data provided in standard architectural volumes and offers and easy-to-use reference for the most indispensable-and most requested-types of architectural information.

Part 1, "Building an Architectural Project," addresses basic geometry, architectural drawing types, AutoCAD guidelines, building codes, accessibility issues, structural and mechanical systems, conventional building components, and sustainable design. Part 2, "Materials," provides a detailed catalog of wood, masonry and brick, metals, concrete, and interior finishes. Also included are an illustrated glossary of architectural terms and a cross-referenced guide to the most helpful books, organizations, and websites.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Julia McMorrough has been the design architect for a wide range of project types, including hospitals, libraries, university buildings, and schools for firms in Boston, Kansas City, and New York City. She received a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Kansas and a Master of Science in Architecture from Columbia University. Her awards include the prestigious Rotch Traveling Scholarship, sponsored by the Boston Society of Architects. Currently, she practices as a partner of studioAPT, a design and research collaborative, among whose projects is a new prototype house for Habitat for Humanity. She lives in Columbus, Ohio.

Product Details

• Turtleback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592531938
• ISBN-13: 978-1592531936
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little reference!, February 11, 2006

By 

A. McDonald (New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Materials, Structures, and Standards: All the Details Architects Need to Know But Can Never Find (Turtleback)

This is a wonderful little reference book of architectural data, something like what you would imagine Graphic Standards would be if you reduced it to its most useful 10%, and organized it better. The material is clear, concise, and beautifully presented. In fact a book so graphically striking and thoughtful is fairly rare for a reference book.

I think the book would be useful to have around any office, but because of the introductory or foundational nature of some of the material (for example how to lay out a drawing sheet, numbering conventions) I think the book would be most useful to an architecture student or intern.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Handy Introduction to Architectural Details, November 28, 2006

By 

Marco Antonio Abarca (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Materials, Structures, and Standards: All the Details Architects Need to Know But Can Never Find (Turtleback)

This book immodestly bills itself as a unique compilation of useful information for architects. It is devided into six sections dealing with Measure and Drawing, Proportion and Form, Codes and Guidelines, Systems and Componenets, Characteristics of Materials and a catchall final section entitled a Compendium. In turn, each section is illustrated with wonderful line drawings and quick run downs of architectural details.

I am doubtful that any architect or engineer would find this book helpful in their practice. The level of detail their professions require cannot be found in this slender volume. They rely on detailed, encyclopedic volumes of construction details.

This book is meant for architectural enthusiasts and non-professionals. I would recommend it highly for an owner who is overseeing a bulding project. This book is helpful in translating architectural and building terms into easily understood language. This volume would also be helpful to entry level general contractors, interior designers and people trying to design their own homes. This book is a well written introduction to an area of study that requires years of training and access to very detailed volumes of architectural details.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an architecture student's best friend, January 27, 2008

By 

S. Feng (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Materials, Structures, and Standards: All the Details Architects Need to Know But Can Never Find (Turtleback)

architectural graphic standard ALWAYS checked out in the library? and all you need to know is how wide the turning radius needs to be for this stupid parking lot? yea i've been there billions of times. my friends at school all started buying this book as a quick reference and it has great information inside. it's by no means exhaustive, but it definitely has enough to get a student by. the information is written and organized in a very accessible way. i highly recommend this book