The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice, 14th Ed. (Hardcover)

~ American Institute of Architects (Author)
Key Phrases: project delivery, firm survey, construction cost management, United States, Firm Development, Standard Form of Architect's Services (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"…includes major new information on programming, project management, construction contract administration, risk management, and ethics." (chicagoarchitecturetoday.com; 1/09)

"…includes for the first time in its nearly 100-year history, a section called "The Architect in the Political Process." The handbook describes why architects are uniquely qualified to make important professional contributions in the political area. The recognition that a political dimension exists in architectural practice is an important first step for the AIA, and I applaud them for including it in the handbook." (The Architect's Newspaper; Dec 2008)

"Note the fresh emphasis on integrated practice and team building. Indispensable." (Archnewsnow.com, December 2008)

"The "Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice" has been the definitive guide to running an architectural practice for almost a century." (Architectureweek.com, 7/08)

Product Description

Architects must be proficient in a variety of business practices to contribute to, manage, or launch a successful firm. They are responsible for the same kind of legal, financial, marketing, management, and administrative activities as any other professional. Within these broad categories, however, there are many details, including professional standards and documents, that are unique to the profession of architecture.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1028 pages
• Publisher: Wiley & Sons, Inc.; 14 edition (March 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470009578
• ISBN-13: 978-0470009574
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.7 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #159,596 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Thoughts, May 6, 2008

By	C. Baumbach (Sonoma County, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

We just received this the other day. At first glance it appears to be *slightly* more condensed than the previous full edition of the "Handbook", which, in my opinion is a good thing. Still very dense and an absolute must-have if you want or need to know anything about "mainstream" architectural practice at a fairly high level.

There is so much good information contained in this tome, I'm surprised the AIA hasn't created a certification program based on it, much like CSI has done with the PRM. It would seem to me such a program would have the potential to help fill a gaping hole in architectural education.

Of particular note regarding this edition: two CD-ROMs are included. The first includes sample 2007 AIA documents -- no surprises here. The second includes the entire text of the Handbook, BUT, in a locked-down proprietary format. You install an application and must activate it online or over the phone before you can use it. You can only install it on one machine at a time. There is no de-activation function; you must uninstall and then call customer support to get a new activation number if you need to change the machine on which it's installed. The electronic version allows searching, but does NOT allow printing or exporting. While the sample AIA documents are PDFs and thus cross-platform, the Handbook reader application is Windows only -- an unfortunate choice. While I understand the publisher's desire to protect their IP, a PDF file would have been so much more user-friendly.

I'll try to remember to post more when I've had a chance to wade through the new edition in its entirety. In the mean time, I thought I'd share what I knew.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a standard in the industry., September 27, 2009

By	A. Whitacre (Playa Vista CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

not the most exciting book out there, but when you need the Handbook of Professional Practice, nothing else will do. this has been updated to meet current AIA documents, and is a must in any professional office.