Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Ben Pentreath (Author), Richard Sammons (Author), Leon Krier (Author), H.R.H. The Prince of Wales (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Even as oversized McMansions continue to elbow their way into tiny lots nationwide, a much different trend has taken shape. This return to traditional architectural principles venerates qualities that once were taken for granted in home design: structural common sense, aesthetics of form, appropriateness to a neighborhood, and even sustainability. Marianne Cusato, creator of the award-winning Katrina Cottages, has authored and illustrated this definitive guide to what makes houses look and feel right—to the eye and to the soul. She teaches us the language and grammar of classical architecture, revealing how balance, harmony, and detail all contribute to creating a home that will be loved rather than tolerated. And she takes us through the do’s and don’ts of every element of home design, from dormers to doorways to columns. Integral to the book are its hundreds of elegant line drawings—clearly rendering the varieties of lintels and cornices, arches and eaves, and displaying “avoid” and “use” versions of the same elements side by side.

About the Author

Acclaimed designer Marianne Cusato has received international media attention for her work on the Katrina Cottages. Leading in 2006 to being named by Builder Magazine as No.4 on their list of the 50 most influential people in the home building industry. Her first cottage, Katrina Cottage 1, was the recipient of the first annual People's Design Award from the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, the National Design Museum of the Smithsonian Institute.

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Product Details Hardcover: 272 pages Publisher: Sterling (January 1, 2008) Language: English ISBN-10: 1402736282 ISBN-13: 978-1402736285 Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 1 inches Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,056 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #1 in  Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > House Plans #18 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Drawing & Modelling #20 in  Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Building Types & Styles > Residential

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	63% buy the item featured on this page: Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid 4.7 out of 5 stars (29) $19.77
	13% buy Designing Your Perfect House 5.0 out of 5 stars (11) $26.37
	12% buy What Your Contractor Can't Tell You: The Essential Guide to Building and Renovating 4.8 out of 5 stars (27) $14.36
	6% buy Designing Your Dream Home: Every Question to Ask, Every Detail to Consider, and Everything to Know Before You Build or Remodel 4.4 out of 5 stars (7) $16.49

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Customer Reviews

29 Reviews 5 star:  (25) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:  (1)           Average Customer Review 4.7 out of 5 stars (29 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 55 of 60 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars What They Didn't Teach in Architecture School, December 5, 2007 By  Marco Antonio Abarca (Colorado) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    In the late 1930's, many of Germany's finest architects arrived in the United States fleeing from Hitler's persecution. Soon Architecture Programs throughout the country adopted their modernist agenda. For the last seventy years, modernism has been the dominant language of architecture school. With a few notable exceptions, the visual language of traditional and classical architecture has all but dissapeared from the halls of academia. Modernism was embraced by America's cultural and business elites. However, most Americans have never bought into the modernist agenda. When it comes to homes, most new home buyers want houses built in traditional styles. Unfortunately, there has been a disconnect between what architects have been taught to design and what consumers wish to purchase. One need only drive through the streets of most American suburbs to see the numerous failed and often times grotesque attempts at traditional architecture. Into this skills void steps Marianne Cusato. She is a product of Notre Dame's School Architecture, a program known for embracing traditional and classical architecture. "Get Your House Right" is a comprehensive guide to the architectural language of classicism. Through the use of nearly a thousand beautifully rendered pencil sketches, she shows both poorly and properly executed architectural details. In this relatively short book, Cusato tries to show other architects what they missed in their architectural studies. I am not an architect. My hobby is looking at old houses. The value of this book is that it helps me understand why some houses work while others houses fail. For those interested in this subject, I would recommend Sandra Edelman and Judy Gaman's "What Not to Build" and "Traditional Construction Patterns" by Stephen Mouzon. One might also want to check out the web site(www.classicist.org)for more information about traditional architecture. These are some of the best resources to help one make sense of what has been going on architecturally in this country for the last seventy years. Highly recommended. 17 of 18 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars An instant classic, January 12, 2008 By  M. Guenther - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I have been absorbed by this book since my copy arrived. The organization is simple and easily accessible. Start in the beginning, middle or end, wherever you like. No problem reading two pages and putting it down until later. The thing that makes this book exceptional are the illustrations. Thousands of the clearest sketches ever contained in a book, all expertly dovetailed with the text. While this would have been my most cherished text in architecture school, it really excels for the practicing professional. Extremely practical. It shows how to design and build essential traditional house details like dormers, window and door trims, roofs, home entries, porches, chimneys, garage doors, bay windows, arches and more. 22 of 25 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best, most useful books on residential architecture, November 25, 2007 By  Jeremy Fretts "www.humanedesign.com" (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Amazon Verified Purchase Learn the forgotten language of architectural details. This is one of the most important books on architecture written in decades. Marianne clearly teaches the lost art of designing homes with REAL traditional detailing that looks good and feels right. This is a must-read for architects, developers, and homebuilders. With hundreds of excellent illustrations, the "do's" and "don'ts" are clearly explained. Marianne suggests that you must learn the rules before you can break them, and this book will be an excellent teacher.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Residential Book This is a very good book. I am very happy with my purchase. It was shipped on time and packaged well. Published 24 days ago by Robert W. Potts Jr. 4.0 out of 5 stars Good book to learn basic of good house designs This is a good book to learn the basics of good design practices necessary to design and build a well-balanced and architecturally sound house. Read more Published 28 days ago by Jorge L. Alvarado 5.0 out of 5 stars AKA - What not to do - and why Ever drive down a beautiful street of houses, and then see one house that just doesn't fit? The first question we usually ask is "why would they do that here? Read more Published 1 month ago by A. Boynton 1.0 out of 5 stars Get your library right "Get Your Library Right" would be a better title. There's little in here for modern houses. In here you will find more or less guidelines for Roman/old British houses... Read more Published 2 months ago by book addict 5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for what it is This is a superb examination of traditional domestic architecture of the Greek Revival and "colonial" styles. Read more Published 3 months ago by Ryan McNabb 5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource! This book is a joy to read. It explains both the function and aesthetics of classical architectural conventions and their relevance to architectural design today, as well as how... Read more Published 4 months ago by NamLoh 5.0 out of 5 stars Great detail and easy instructions. I love this book. I needed a book that would tell me what the right details would be for my house, and this book couldn't be better. Great illustrations. Read more Published 7 months ago by A. Houghton 5.0 out of 5 stars Get Your House Right, Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid This is a wonderful book for those who appreciate historically accurate detailing. Filled with thousands of beautiful drawings of good and bad examples, it is a delight to thumb... Read more Published 8 months ago by Mike Iverson 5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I wanted A few years ago, we built a plantation- or farm-style kind of house, as traditional as we could make it within the considerable limitations of modern practice and our budget. Read more Published 8 months ago by Wendy K. Laubach 5.0 out of 5 stars A great guide to correct design This is another great addition to anyone who is directly involved with the designing of homes. I would strongly recommend that builders who think they know it all, read this... Read more Published 9 months ago by Reggie Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402736282
• ISBN-13: 978-1402736285
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,056 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > House Plans
  #18 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Drawing & Modelling
  #20 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Building Types & Styles > Residential

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What They Didn't Teach in Architecture School, December 5, 2007

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

In the late 1930's, many of Germany's finest architects arrived in the United States fleeing from Hitler's persecution. Soon Architecture Programs throughout the country adopted their modernist agenda. For the last seventy years, modernism has been the dominant language of architecture school. With a few notable exceptions, the visual language of traditional and classical architecture has all but dissapeared from the halls of academia.

Modernism was embraced by America's cultural and business elites. However, most Americans have never bought into the modernist agenda. When it comes to homes, most new home buyers want houses built in traditional styles. Unfortunately, there has been a disconnect between what architects have been taught to design and what consumers wish to purchase. One need only drive through the streets of most American suburbs to see the numerous failed and often times grotesque attempts at traditional architecture.

Into this skills void steps Marianne Cusato. She is a product of Notre Dame's School Architecture, a program known for embracing traditional and classical architecture. "Get Your House Right" is a comprehensive guide to the architectural language of classicism. Through the use of nearly a thousand beautifully rendered pencil sketches, she shows both poorly and properly executed architectural details. In this relatively short book, Cusato tries to show other architects what they missed in their architectural studies.

I am not an architect. My hobby is looking at old houses. The value of this book is that it helps me understand why some houses work while others houses fail. For those interested in this subject, I would recommend Sandra Edelman and Judy Gaman's "What Not to Build" and "Traditional Construction Patterns" by Stephen Mouzon. One might also want to check out the web site(www.classicist.org)for more information about traditional architecture. These are some of the best resources to help one make sense of what has been going on architecturally in this country for the last seventy years. Highly recommended.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An instant classic, January 12, 2008

By	M. Guenther - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been absorbed by this book since my copy arrived. The organization is simple and easily accessible. Start in the beginning, middle or end, wherever you like. No problem reading two pages and putting it down until later.

The thing that makes this book exceptional are the illustrations. Thousands of the clearest sketches ever contained in a book, all expertly dovetailed with the text.

While this would have been my most cherished text in architecture school, it really excels for the practicing professional. Extremely practical. It shows how to design and build essential traditional house details like dormers, window and door trims, roofs, home entries, porches, chimneys, garage doors, bay windows, arches and more.

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the very best, most useful books on residential architecture, November 25, 2007

By	Jeremy Fretts "www.humanedesign.com" (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Learn the forgotten language of architectural details.
This is one of the most important books on architecture written in decades. Marianne clearly teaches the lost art of designing homes with REAL traditional detailing that looks good and feels right. This is a must-read for architects, developers, and homebuilders.

With hundreds of excellent illustrations, the "do's" and "don'ts" are clearly explained. Marianne suggests that you must learn the rules before you can break them, and this book will be an excellent teacher.