Tremendous opportunities are opening up as architecture becomes more generalized and firms accept commissions for a widening range of building types. To take advantage of these opportunities, architects need instant information on the general issues, materials, systems, requirements, and general design guidelines associated with different types of structures. Building Type Basics books fulfill this need.

Building Type Basics for Museums is a one-stop source for the essential information architects need to fast-start the design process. In this book, author Arthur Rosenblatt draws upon the expertise of leading architects from around the world to present all aspects of museum and cultural facility design. This book provides critical information on the process, potential problems, design concerns, and recent trends in museum and cultural facility design, along with complete coverage of energy issues, mechanical systems, and structural concerns as well as acoustic control, lighting, internal traffic, security, and other important topics. This indispensable guide:

* Asks and answers twenty questions that frequently arise in the early phases of a project commission

* Provides project photographs, diagrams, floor plans, sections, and details

* Includes guidelines for art, science, and natural history museums; ethnic art and cultural centers; and more

This conveniently organized quick reference is an invaluable guide for busy, dedicated professionals who want to get moving quickly as they embark on a new project. Like every Building Type Basics book, it provides authoritative, up-to-date information instantly and saves architects countless hours of research. Engineering consultants will also find a wealth of information to help them tackle museum commissions of all kinds.

This book provides architects with information they need to start the design process. It covers general issues, materials, systems, requirements, and general design guidelines for various types of structures. It also outlines the design process, potential problems, and recent trends, with particular attention to energy efficiency, mechanical systems, structure, acoustics, lighting, traffic, and security. Photographs, diagrams, floor plans, and other illustrations are given a prominent place.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

The fastest way to straighten out the learning curve on specialized design projects. Building Type Basics books provide architects with the essentials they need to jump-start the design of a variety of specialized facilities. In each volume, leading national figures in the field address the key questions that shape the early phases of a project commission. The answers to these questions provide instant information in a convenient, easy-to-use format. The result is an excellent, hands-on reference that puts critical information at your fingertips.Building Type Basics for Museums provides the essential information needed to initiate designs for art, science, and natural history museums, ethnic art and cultural centers, youth museums, and more. Filled with project photographs, diagrams, floor plans, sections, and details, it combines in-depth coverage of the structural, mechanical, acoustic, traffic, and safety issues that are unique to museums and cultural facilities with the nuts-and-bolts design guidelines that will start any project off on the right track and keep it there through completion.

ARTHUR ROSENBLATT, FAIA, of RKK&G Museum and Cultural Facilities Consultants, is an architect and consultant who specializes in museums and cultural facilities. He was Vice Director, then Vice President of Architecture and Planning at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He has also served as Director of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Vice President of the Grand Central Partnership, and President of the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

STEPHEN A. KLIMENT, FAIA (Series Founder and Editor), is an architectural journalist and an adjunct professor at the City College of New York. He was chief editor of Architectural Record from 1990 to 1996.

Foreword (T. Hoving).

Preface (S. Kliment).

Acknowledgments.

Art Museums.

History Museums.

Children's and Youth Museums.

Science and Natural History Museums.

Specialized Museums and Galleries.

Technical Notes.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Index.