A Visual Dictionary of Architecture (Paperback)

~ Francis D. Ching (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A Visual Dictionary of Architecture is a remarkable, on-of-a-kind compendium which uses a combination of textual definitions and hundreds of superb line drawings to illuminate a comprehensive body of essential terms in architecture, including important interrelationships between building components. Grouped by themes, such as history, systems, structures, forms, construction, environmental issues, and behavior, all terms have their visual complement and can be readily accessed in a number of different ways. A Visual Dictionary of Architecture is an authoritative source of information for anyone tracking down an elusive word, and a delight for simple armchair browsing! -- Midwest Book Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

This book defines over 5,000 terms relating to architectural design, history, and technology. It is the only dictionary that provides concise, accurate definitions illustrated with finely detailed, hand-rendered drawings, each executed in Mr. Ching's signature style.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (November 28, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471288217
• ISBN-13: 978-0471288213
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #15,368 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to use and read and understand, January 13, 2006

By	Rosemary Thornton "The Ugly Woman's Guide to ... (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Somewhere near the very beginning of my lecturing career, I showed a slide onscreen and was trying to point out a unique feature of a home. Gesturing toward the screen I said, "that thingie over the window..."

I was mortified. What a dreadful mistake for a "professional" lecturer to make!! Since I planned to give many more lectures, I came home and bought this book from Amazon.

When the parcel arrived, I quickly opened it and was delighted to find the easy-to-read drawings. Ching makes the most complex architectural graphics easy to see and understand. Using this book, I gave myself a crash course on "basic architectural terms" and since then, I've given 200 lectures and never used the word "THINGIE" again!!

Rose
author, California's Kit Homes
and "The Houses That Sears Built"

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fundamental, August 2, 2001

By A Customer

As with most of Francis D.K. Ching's publications, this is a fundamental resource to the student of architecture, as well as the practicing professional. The practice of architecture is intrinscially tied to the ability of the Architect to communicate complex ideas to a myriad of persons. To be succesful at this communication, one needs to be conversant in both the written/spoken language of architecture as well as the illustrative language of drawing. The Visual Dictionary exemplifies this concept. Organized around 68 essential concepts of design and construction - concisely written and beautifully illustrated - Francis Ching brings forth clarity in communication rarely experienced in the world of design and construction. I use this book in teaching, in practice, in reference, and in simple enjoyment. Again, a fundamental resource for the reference shelf - although it rarely sits on the shelf.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good start for architecture students., August 29, 2005

By	M. Oh "Xel ZuReX" (Replubic of Korea (South)) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: A Visual Dictionary of Architecture (Hardcover)

I believe this is a nice book to start architecture studies with. To know the definitions of words that relate to architecture is a great help in studying the subject. Memorizing all of these words would surely help you out understand any talk about architecture.