Customer Reviews

Be Your Own Architect

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I ordered this book because I need to know things about how to design a home. I wanted specifics--how long of a span can you do with certain joists, what kind of supports do I need under the concrete; you get the idea. The book is much more about the theory of how you arrange the kitchen, what kind of windows you can use, etc. I was disappointed from the first chapter, where it recommends what kind of paper and t-square you need. I hope more people are using CAD than this author believes. The last chapter has advice on how to pick your architect. I thought the book was about being your own architect! The book was too general, and the title misleading.

Great book. Clear, solid information in an easy to understand format.

This publication has a very easy-to-follow format, it depicts most of the considered architectural design parameters for residential houses. It needs to have more extent on what refers to bathroom planning, and have a more straightforward approach on what refers to (kitchen/bathroom) cabinetry planning. It does not provide complete information about windows and doors either.

The reader that suggested that architects do not specify construction materials or supervise the construction process is clearly uneducated in the realm of both architecture and construction. Architects specify materials down to every screw in every building they design. THey also supervise the construction process as to ensure that "shortcuts" that compromise the structural integrity of buildings are not made. Architects are required to complete 6 years of post graduate training, 3 years of internship, and 9 exams in order to gain licensure. This is all so that your house does not fall in on you as you sleep. GO ahead. Design your own house wnd when the windows leak and the roof caves in, let's see your review then.;

The author clearly has no understanding of how Architects work with clients and sorely underestimates what an Architect brings to the table for a project. The Preface equates the hiring of an Architect to design your house with hiring a contractor to do the same. It goes on to state the thesis of the book as: You can design your own house better than an Architect because you know how you live and what your needs are. How absurd! Driving a car to work every day does not qualify you to design one. However, you could sit down with an automotive engineer and explain what features and functions you like in a car and some ideas on what it might look like and then have him or her design one for you. That is similar to the client's working relationship with an Architect.
The bottom line is: If you want your future residence to fit your lifestyle instead of adapting your lifestyle to fit in a house, you want a quality product from design through construction, and you can't stand the thought living in a house that looks just like 16 others in the same neighborhood, consider hiring an Architect. If not, buy this book and good luck with your T-square (if you can still find one).

architecture deals more with design and space and this book does the same.

specifics about construction materials are not really in the domain of architecture.

so i dont agree with the previous reviewer that the title is misleading.