Traditions in Architecture: Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania [Paperback]

Dora P. Crouch (Author), June G. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195088913 | ISBN-13: 978-0195088915 | Publication Date: 2001 | Edition: 1st

Traditions in Architecture: Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania is the first wide-ranging, one-volume study to examine the architectural achievements of diverse cultures outside the Euroamerican tradition. In contrast with traditional chronological surveys of architectural history, this volume is arranged thematically to show the basic commonalties of all human communities. In order to provide a basic understanding of the cultural heritage defining these diverse groups, both vernacular and monumental works are discussed. The book is divided into five major sections, each of which addresses specific topics fundamental to all societies. The authors discuss these topics in terms of particular architectural solutions, comparing and contrasting geographically separated buildings and construction traditions. For example, the issue of architectural meaning is studied through symbolic gardens in China, verbal ornament in the Islamic world, and the wall paintings of Ndebele women of southeast Africa. Beginning with an investigation into the ways in which the continuity of traditional forms is maintained, the authors then explore practical issues such as housing and food structures, climate and ecology, building materials, and architectural forms and methods. Architectural goals and purposes, which determine what is built, vary from culture to culture and are given special attention. Planning and design-ways in which space is used in patterns of organization-range from urban plans to landscaped settings. The authors conclude with an examination of cultural values, investigating the way in which architecture interacts with social relations, traditional theories, decision-making, and the economics of building. The book is enhanced by over 200 photographs, maps, and charts, as well as a glossary and full bibliography. This unique study will enlighten students and open new avenues of research for scholars.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An important book, and one which needed to be written."--Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review

"The first comprehensive global architectural history text. The writing is clear and the illustrations are excellent. It's the text I've been waiting for!"--Sonia Sorrell, Pepperdine University

"A great resource, informative and timely."--John Lucchesi, College of San Mateo

"An excellent compact expansion to the traditional western world survey."--Thomas N. Howe, Southwestern University

"An interesting and enlightened study that provides the reader with the importance of architecture beyond traditional Greco-Roman European model. The authors help to expand the definition of architecture beyond buildings."--Ellis L. Antunez, Truckee Meadows Community College

About the Author

Dora P. Crouch is Professor Emeritus at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
June G. Johnson is Lecturer in the Department of Agriculture at El Camino Community College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 433 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st edition (2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195088913
• ISBN-13: 978-0195088915
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fresh look at non-western traditions, December 18, 2001

By 

Frank L. Greenagel (Bloomsbury, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Traditions in Architecture: Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania (Paperback)

Although the book was written as a textbook for a course in non-western traditions in architectural history, it may be of considerable interest to anyone traveling to parts of Asia, Africa and Oceania. The authors' approach is largely descriptive, and the illustrations both plentiful and very good, so one may be a little impatient that the verbal descriptions rarely provide much information that is not apparent from the photos and drawings; but this is, after all, a textbook, and if you will grant that allowance, it is well-worth your time.
     The architectural traditions covered are contemporary as well as ancient, grand as well as domestic and, throughout, the authors treat the sacred and symbolic traditions of the culture, insofar as they are known or may be inferred, as they bear on the built environment. The book is organized thematically, rather than chronologically or geographically. Among the themes: moveable, stationary and underground dwellings; the impact of colonialism on native structures; the transfer of traditional architectural knowledge; and spatial organization, from courtyards to the axial alignments of cities. The focus is on three categories of structures: professionally designed and built monuments, houses erected by traditional building tradesmen, and structures that ordinary people build for their own use. The overarching theme is that architecture expresses cultural values as well as technology, and it illustrates that theme with an exceptionally wide range of examples.
     In the single area of the book where I have a fairly solid background, the Anasazi/Puebloan architecture of the Southwest, the scholarship is current and sound. Interesting and highly informative.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Study of non-western architecture, October 2, 2001

By 

A. Wallace (Centennial, Co USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Traditions in Architecture: Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania (Hardcover)

My familiarity with architectural studies stems from 3 years as a graduate student. Most architectural studies are "biased" to western history and organized in chronological order. Traditions in Architecture takes a fresh approach by focusing on a rich source of architectural precedence in the early America, Asia, Africa and the far east. The organization is thematic, rather than chronological covering such diverse topics as fixed versus mobile living spaces, vernacular materials, construction methods, sacred spaces, and so much more.

The only reason that I did not give the work 5 stars is that many of the pictures (all black and white) lacked clarity. I do not know whether this was due to poor originals or poor reproduction; however, the details often are necessary to understand the full impact of the works.

As UCLA professors, Crouch and Johnson give much credit to their students' work and input. This appears to be a work that has been a culmination of years of study with much independent input. I highly recommend it as a "first" to take this approach and to cover such a wide breadth of topics in one volume.