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A
Visual Dictionary of Architecture 
Francis D.K Ching
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This
reference provides descriptions of 15 types
of landscape architecture projects ranging from
single-family housing to parks, urban design,
office parks and interior landscapes. The book
includes over 100 projects shown in site plans,
photographs and technical details. |
Detailed
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.
Excerpt
Just as a single image can be worth a thousand words,
a single word can conjure up in the mind's eye a
thousand images. Regardless of the power of a solitary
word or image, however, each communicates meaning
more effectively when brought together into a single
presentation. The symbiotic relationship between
graphic and verbal communication is the basis for
this visual dictionary of architecture.
Instead of an alphabetical listing of entries as
found in most dictionaries, the information is clustered
around basic aspects of architecture as outlined
in the table of contents. Within each section, words
are placed in a visual context which further explains,
clarifies, and completes their meaning.
The reader may use this dictionary in a number of
ways. If one knows the exact term and wants to find
out its meaning, then one can look it up in the
index. Looking up one term will always present related
terms arranged around one or more illustrations.
If one does not know the precise term, then one
can look up the general subject either in the table
of contents or the index. One can then refer to
the appropriate section browse the illustrations,
and scan for the terms. While browsing, if one encounters
an entry or a word used in a definition that is
unfamiliar, one can look it up in the index.
Included are fundamental terms relating to architectural
design, history, and technology. Since architecture
is a visual art, most of the entries naturally lend
themselves to graphic representation. Some are more
abstract but are included to help clarify related
terms or to complete the treatment of a subject.
Others are inserted simply because they are of historical
interest.
This is a book for the curious to browse as well
as a desktop reference for the student of architecture.
The compilation of words and definitions is not
intended to be exhaustive. Rather, the selection
is designed to be comprehensive enough to reflect
the rich, complex and multidimensional nature of
architecture.
Excerpted from A Visual Dictionary of Architecture
by Francis D.K Ching.
Copyright © 1996. Reprinted by permission.
All rights reserved
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