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Become Passionate about Historical Preservation |
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| A guide by flying_roundhouse (Saratoga, CA) | |
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| The Old Way of Seeing: How Architecture Lost Its Magic - And How to Get It Back | How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They're Built | Recycled Spaces: Converting Buildings into Homes |
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I am always thrilled to meet comrades in the fight to preserve our past. I have studied and practiced Interior Design and Feng Shui since 1995. (Yes, I'm a frustrated Architect!) I was also engaged to a guy pursuing his Masters in Architecture at MIT, and I used to do his elevation drawings. As for me, I went to Massachusetts College of Art and Harvard, so I saw a pretty broad spectrum of opinions and design styles. I've (interior) designed hundreds of homes to date, and have done specific restoration projects on quite a few. Right now, I'm restoring my own rambling farmhouse in the Bay Area of California. I've also been a professional photographer, and a graphic artist at various points. Here is a link to a page on my main website, which shows links to all my various blogs and sites: http://www.fengshuistyle.us/?page_id=3 Coming from Boston, I really have no use for anything built much past 1890..... I realize that "true" architecture snobs would probably prefer the cutoff point to be around 1830. I am not that extreme. Furthermore, I LOVE Victorians. Having lived in an 1865 Queen Anne in Natick, Massachusetts, I am definitely acquainted with the pleasurable difference between living in a well designed gem, and "a box". I have also lived in Florence Italy, where something built in 1850 is NEW! I feel quite passionate about preservation, and architecture in general. Toward that end, I offer the following reading list. I hope you find it useful. The Old Way of Seeing: How Architecture Lost Its Magic - And How to Get It Back  This book should be a starting point, and frankly, required reading for anyone interested in Architecture, Design, or Preservation. It is so bloody good that I secretly wish I had written it myself. After reading this book, I scour the countryside looking for examples of "good design". I feel I have "new eyes" now. How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They're Built A close second to "The Old Way of Seeing".... Buildings evolve over time, and with each addition or subtraction we must take into account the entire structure. This book helps you look at a building that has "evolved" and be able to discern the history and time period behind each change. But beyond all that, it's a great read! Recycled Spaces: Converting Buildings into Homes "Recycling" can preserve historic buildings in so many creative ways, and this book shows you how. It is divided by type of building (ie train stations, churches) and examples are given of each. Each home comes with a floorplan and brief history of what it was and its evolution. This is also an excellent design source. Victorian Domestic Architectural Plans and Details: 734 Scale Drawings of Doorways, Windows, Staircases, Moldings, Cornices, and Other Elements (v. 1) My wildest fantasy is to build a "new" Victorian with "old" plans. This book is my inspiration. A Field Guide to American Houses Extremely handy for identifying building styles while out and about. Indispensible. The Timeless Way of Building Aesthetically, this book is a pleasure. If you're in a hurry, just read the italicized sections. However, I find reading the whole thing to be absolutely necessary. Software Programmers will also find this book incredibly useful. Historic Preservation: An Introduction to Its History, Principles, and Practice I was especially pleased to find the variety of real-life examples Tyler presents reflecting the way preservation is practiced and not just idealistic theory. The inclusion of basic economic, social, and architectural impacts in historic preservation are welcome contributions, and the various charts and lists are extremely useful. Lost Boston A visual feast of historical deliciousness. If you're not sure why we need to preserve our past, just thumb through this book. It completely inspires me, every single time I look at it. TONS of black and white photos. The Historical Atlas of New York City: A Visual Celebration of Nearly 400 Years of New York City's History I bought this while waiting at an airport in New York. Boy, what a find! [From --Stephanie Gold]: The atlas takes on the geologic history of New York, major eras (Indian, Dutch, and British), as well as the consolidation of Greater New York, neighborhood histories of Coney Island and Greenwich Village, and exploits of 1945 through 1996. But there's room for the small stuff, too, such as the political and cultural role of New York's taverns in the late 1700s. American Shelter: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home Wonderful line drawings of 100 styles of American housing. Exploded diagrams and floor plans, with text describing how each style evolved, and where it tends to be found. For homeowners, builders, architects, real estate agents, students, travelers and historians, American Shelter is an essential reference, but also a treat. Historical Footnotes Santa Clara Valley I am honored to know the author, Jack Douglas, so I can recommend this one with an extra bit of zest. I find this a fascinating read, for anyone, not just Silicon Valley residents. Virtually everyone will be amazed at how different the San Francisco Bay Area of California has become in the last 100 years. The land of "Sunshine, Fruit, and Flowers" has given way to the omnipresent silicon chip. Sadly, a heck of a lot of stunning architecture has been sacrificed in the process, although, it's only fair to say, a good amount of it was due to shoddy fire prevention services. Gorgeous black and white photos and fascinating stories make this book an enjoyable and inspirationial read. Authentic Color Schemes for Victorian Houses: Comstocks Modern House Painting, 1883 Actually, this one is on my Wish List. It sure sounds good, no? America's Painted Ladies: The Ultimate Celebration of Our Victorians All the "Painted Ladies" books are breathtaking. Start with this one, and see if you don't get hooked. Preserving the World's Great Cities: The Destruction and Renewal of the Historic Metropolis [From Library Journal] Having learned that the most useful information on architectural preservation often comes from other places, former New York City Landmarks Preservation Commissioner Tung decided to visit some of the world's most significant buildings in China, Italy, Greece, Japan, and elsewhere. Here he aims to compile what he learned into one volume, recording his on-site investigations into the architectural preservation issues facing 18 major cities of the world. Creating a New Old House (American Institute Architects) (From the Editorial Review): Anyone who yearns for an older home – but is daunted by the prospect of owning one — will love this book. Through hundreds of inspiring photographs and engaging text, the author describes what gives traditional homes their enduring appeal. Versaci identifies Eight Pillars of Traditional Design that create a solid foundation for combining authentic, traditional design with livability to create homes that feel old yet live new. The Principles of Feng Shui I have studied and practiced Feng Shui since 1995, and have relied heavily on Larry Sang's books. Quite simply, they are amazing. Anyone from any walk of life could benefit from reading them. (Excerpt from Editorial Review): "Raised in Hong Kong, Master Sang began practicing Feng Shui more than 25 years ago. When Master Sang first came to the United States in 1980, he was shocked by what was being passed off as Feng Shui. He was overwhelmed by the rampant and futile use of so many mirrors, "magical flutes", incense and rituals. Indeed, Feng Shui had been stripped of much of its dignity and was being marketed in the arena of the occult! To reestablish its importance as a legitimate, very teachable scientific discipline, Master Sang established The American Feng Shui Institute in 1991. Ever since the inception, the Institute has recruited hundreds of students from all walks of life." A House on the Water: Inspiration for Living at the Water's Edge Just for fun, I've tossed this in. There is a universal longing to live by the water, and this book lets us dip our toe in that fantasy (pardon the pun). |
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