Product Description

When is a building just a building and when is it art? This accessible guide cuts through the jargon and clearly explains the essentials of architecture, demystifying the incredible ways in which structures and spaces come alive. You′ll gain a real appreciation for architecture and the confidence to talk about it—even to an architect.

• Just the essential information for readers on the go who want to understand architecture.
• Covers the highlights of architectural history, from the Great Pyramids to Frank Gehry′s Guggenheim museum in Bilbao.
• Explains how to look at a building and appreciate it. Explains when a building′s a building and when it′s art.
• Part of Tens includes Ten Great Architectural Masterpieces, Ten Biggest Architectural and Engineering Failures, Ten of the Most Interesting Architects Working Today, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #25316 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 456 pages

From the Back Cover
Praise for Architect For Dummies
"Deborah Dietsch is an insightful critic and author. In this book, she has a rare ability to address a professional audience, while providing accessibility to a lay reader." —FIAI, Antoine Predock Architecture

Discover the thrill of architecture from the Great Pyramids to the Guggenheim Bilbao

Great architects, innovative designs, and engaging photographs throughout

Get a handle on the nuts and bolts of design and construction
When is a building just a building and when is it art? This accessible guide cuts through the jargon and clearly explains the essentials of architecture, demystifying the incredible ways in which structures and spaces come alive. You′ll gain a real appreciation for architecture and the confidence to talk about it—even to an architect.

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About the Author
Debra Dietch, (Washington DC) is currently an art and architecture critic for Sun–Sentinel, Tribune Co. She was a writer on architecture and design for major newspapers and periodicals such as Forbes, Florida Architecture, House Beautiful, Museum Magazine, Old House Journal, Sotheby′s Domain, Washington Post, and more. She also held top editor positions at the two leading professional architecture magazines: Architectural Record and Architecture magazine.

Customer Reviews

I must be a dummie!
This is a great book! I am going to study Architecture at uni in October and this has really helped me get a basic understanding before I go, I can now argue with my boss who is an architect about architecture and kind of know what I am on about! Buy it!