Architecture: Form, Space, Order by Francis D.K. Ching

Architecture: Form, Space, Order Reviews

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  Satitiwikan sunowo

  never aclaimed that you know or ever learning architecture if you never read...i mean really read this book. this book is like the first book to every architect or architact student in the world.
  
  a very nice book with alot of sketch that visually fun to read. easyly understood. and it become the stong influence to all the architect hand writings. i should say this book is a legendary book
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  Anastasia

  Εξαιρετικό εγχειρίδιο αρχιτεκτονικής, η παράθεση πολλών σκίτσων καθιστά την ανάγνωση πιο ευχάριστη και το κείμενο πιο κατανοητό. Μελετά και πραγματεύεται τη μορφή, το χώρο, το ρυθμό, τις κινήσεις...ακόμη και την απλή γεωμετρία της γραμμής, του επιπέδου και του όγκου από πολλαπλές πλευρές και αποκαλύπτει εργαλεία και εκφάνσεις της αρχιτεκτονικής που δεν διαπιστώνονται εύκολα, κυρίως στους μη-σχετικούς με τον αρχιτεκτονικό τομέα. Λόγω του απλού, λιτού και περιγραφικού του λόγου είναι ιδανικό για φοιτητές αρχιτεκτονικής και ειδικότερα όταν βρίσκονται στην αρχή των σπουδών τους, αλλά ακόμη και για όποιον θέλει να κοιτάξει και να αντιληφθεί την αρχιτεκτονική από μία διαφορετική οπτική γωνία.
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  Tim

  This book was recommended to my by a former professor and friend, Dr. Lee Gray, after I told him that I wanted to gain a basic understand of design before I read some of the other books that are on my 'design' shelf. 'Architecture: Form, Space and Order' by Francis D.K. Ching is the perfect introduction to design. Ching walks the reader through elementary design concepts starting with points and lines, and ending with hierarchy and datum as methods of order. For someone with no prior knowledge of design, it was nice to have basic concepts explained so clearly.
  
  Ching also does well at building the vocabulary of the subject. Often times half the battle of learning a subject is just understanding the vocabulary that goes along with it. Plus, I really love the way that architects talk about buildings. Here's my favorite example; "The orderly rows of columns also punctuate the spatial volume, mark off modular zones within the spatial field, and establish a measurable rhythm and scale which make the spatial dimensions comprehensive."
  
  The illustrations in this book are all original and of near perfect quality. The numerous illustrations also helped me grasp some of the concepts that could not be explained by words. The lettering is also an original creation done by hand. Today you can find the letter from this book as the font "tekton."
  
  This book is great for those who hope to one day use apply these concepts, but it's also the perfect book for those interested in gaining an understanding of the built environment that they connect with everyday.
• 
  Zhraa زهراء

  Done finally! First read book on architecture shelf !
  
  Great book as an introduction to architecture with super amazing sketches!
  I learn so much with Ching's easy vocabularies and useful sketching techniques. I think this book is good for beginners in the field among Ching's writing style which may be the simplest one.
  I suppose that I will come back to this book from time to time -beside reading Ching's other books of course.
  
  The quotes that Ching's starts every chapter with are wonderful!
  here is the last quote in the conclusion :
  
  

  “You employ stone, wood, and concrete, and with these materials you build houses and palaces. That is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly, you touch my heart, you do me good. I am happy and I say: ‘This is beautiful.’ That is architecture. Art enters in.
  My house is practical. I thank you, as I might thank Railway engineers,
  or the Telephone service. You have not touched my heart.
  But suppose that walls rise toward heaven in such a way that I am moved. I perceive your intentions. Your mood has been gentle, brutal, charming, or noble. The stones you have erected tell me so. You fix me to the place and my eyes regard it. They behold something which expresses a thought. A thought which reveals itself without wood or sound, but solely by means of shapes which stand in a certain relationship to one another. These shapes are such that they are clearly revealed in light. The relationships between them have not necessarily any reference to what is practical or descriptive. They are a mathematical creation of our mind. They are the language of Architecture. By the use of raw materials and starting from conditions more or less utilitarian, you have established certain relationships which have aroused my emotions. This is Architecture.”
  
  -Le Corbusier
  
• 
  Deleted Account

  An excellent introduction of explaining the principals of architechture, the basic elements of architecture, and a perspective of the building and other elements surrounding it, wih sketches and quotes about architecture.
  
  Very simple, easy to read. Highly recommended for all architecture students.
  
  
  it was useful during my second semester of architecture. <3
• 
  S.

  I wish I had discovered this one during my years of studying architecture. It is still a reference to which I go back every now and then to refresh my memory. I would recommend it to every architecture student, or anyone related to the industry...
  A precious one !
  
• 
  Don

  Architecture: Form, Space, & Order serves as an excellent introduction to architectural design. Ching starts with the most basic elements of geometry--points, lines, planes, volumes--and demonstrates how they can be combined and organized to create architectural forms. The book is composed mostly of illustrations with short sections of text. Each topic is introduced, discussed, and illustrated with both simple drawings and schematics along with renderings of famous architectural landmarks that demonstrate the principles in question. It should be kept in mind that the goal of the book is to examine the underlying properties of architecture (geometry, proportion, arrangement) and not to introduce architecture history or movements. If you're interested in architecture history, this is not the book to read. If you want to understand the geometry underlying architecture, this is where you should start.
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  ali KDM

  I have read both ching books and lawson books about architecture and design. of course they look at their field from their own perspective; but there is something odd about them. ching's books look like more practical and lawson's look so theorical. but when you get to design something, it turns out you may use what you read in lawson's books more often!
  I cannot make a connection between designing and what ching says in his books. you can introduce architecture and design to non-architects and non-designers pretty well; but you will never "learn" designing through ching's books.
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  Lauren

  I cannot be objective about this book. It was my first introduction to architectural form and my first college text book. The drawings made me want to work harder and become a better designer. It might be a novel perusal for someone with a strong interest in architecture, but probably won't be that interesting to those outside the profession.
• 
  Aya Zahran

  Your guide to Architecture 101. Simple and clear with a lot of examples.
  
  It was a big help for my projects.
• 
  Shannon

  Gorgeous illustrations, very clear concepts... Love this book. One of the best design resources still available to architects and designers.
• 
  Nima ُShoa

  آموزش زبان معماري و دنياي مفاهيم و اصول مقدماتي آن به همراه تصاويري عالي كه حتي خواننده ي عادي را هم جذب كتاب مي كند.
  كتاب در عين سادگي، فوق العاده است و همانند يك كلاس آموزشي تمام عيار عمل مي كند.
• 
  Ieva Urbon Purkene

  It was so interesting to remember/more deeply understand the basics and fundamentals of architecture in our surroundings. It opens up a mind and creativity in our minds and everyday life. Loved it!
• 
  Dario

  A nice book that presents a rounded introduction to some of the primary concerns of the domain of architecture. Ching gently guides us through his clear and fairly intuitive categorisations: elements, form, form & space, organisation, circulation, proportion & scale, principles. The book is filled with clarifying sketches and diagrammatic examples that span the ages and the cultures; the linework is pleasing. These are some of the rudiments of architecture. The ideas are accessible and the diction steady. A friendly exposition.
• 
  Rick Sam

  A Great Introductory book for Architecture for Non-Architecture.
  
  The Book gives many example of forms, forms & space, organization, circulation, proportion & scale. It's quite intriguing to see Architectural forms of temples, churches, buildings.
  
  If you're a non-architect and want to building a vocabulary and abstraction in Architecture, I would recommend this book. Frank Lloyd Wright's designs are all over the book.
  
  I would recommend checking out Vitruvius & Palladio if you're interested further.
  
  Deus Vult,
  Gottfried.
  
  
• 
  Alina

  I first had this book assigned for my first Design Workshop, I had to copy the diagrams and sketches. Since then I have always browsed it's pages for inspiration, or leisure, anyway I always learn something new. One can never actually be done reading this book. It's excellent for architecture students, and some "long-time architects" ought to take a look at it too.
  
  Every chapter goes from a simple concept to it's complex application on a building, it reviews architecture from Mesopotamia to Louis Kahn.
  
  Though it is a book meant for architecture students, I believe it's simplicity of language makes it very accessible to the general public as well. I would recommend this book to any amateur or lego who wants to learn to appreciate and understand architecture.
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  Nonna

  ahh..buku ini..pernah saya hafal setiap lembar isi buku ini.di setiap tugas saya pasti membuka buku ini sebagai preseden.terlebih ketika masa-masa tugas akhir.sekali lagi,saya tahu bagian apa di halaman apa.panduan bentuk dan tata ruang arsitektur paling mujarab.walau saya hanya memiliki fotokopiannya,tapi tetap buku ini menjadi buku paling favorit untuk saya mengerjakan tugas-tugas kuliah dulu bahkan sekarang ketika saya sudah bekerja.
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  Alex Ott

  Very interesting book - it provides information about basic blocks of architecture, and I think it's good base for the next book in my reading list:
  A Global History of Architecture
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  FloorM

  I'm an architecture student in my first year and this book is really useful. It clarifies certain aspects and how you can put them to use. But the main reason why I love it is because the drawings are all handmade with such precision, I'm in awe!
• 
  ♫ ♪ nOUsha ♫ ♪

  one of my favorite books..by DK Ching..
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  Austin Visina

  The book provides the reader with a base knowledge of how architectural design is developed from simple shapes to intricate creations. It includes numerous illustrated examples of real-life buildings to enhance each of the authors points. If you are interested in architectural or interior design, the book can teach you how to “think” about the design development of a space. It is essentially a highly specialized picture book intended for design professionals and enthusiasts.
  
  As a construction professional, I feel this book can help the reader discuss design with design professional in detail. It also help to recognize the intent of an architect and meet their design specifications by breaking down the intricate design elements in a simpler form. Worthwhile for preconstruction managers.
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  Victor Razvan

  A clear and easy to understand primer on the principles of architecture. As a person intrigued by this discipline I wanted to consume something that would help me have an understanding of the terms and the ways in which they relate. If you are in the same position as me you'll find an easily digestable and well illustrated primer.
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  Phillip

  I totally understand after reading this why it’s such a seminal work on architecture. It is one of the more perfect introductions to the discipline I’ve seen. The visuals to text ratio is nearly perfect and includes a fantastic variety of case studies. Highly recommend for any student of architecture.
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  Alex

  Architecture: Form, Space, & Order is a great introductory book about architecture and design. The style is great for understanding the basic concepts and compositions with these. It felt too bound by those basic ideas, which I guess was the point, but I longed for a little more depth and a little less repetitive details on elementary concepts.