Synopses & Reviews
"Steve Mouzon ... has produced a manual that is clear, easy to use, and targeted to the most common errors ... Traditional architects can now sweep their own house clean." -- Andres Duany, ArchitectandPlanner
Looking at a building and seeing a building are two very different things. To truly understand traditional architecture you must train your eye to see the difference between the Dos and Don'ts. Steve Mouzon's beautifully illustrated book provides an essential resource for anyone seeking this knowledge." -- Marianne Cusato, Author
"... to see a town or a building through the eyes of a gifted architect like Steve Mouzon is to truly experience it ... this book is an inspiration to building our world better again ..." -- Kristen Payne, Southern Living
...absolutely essential ... a new town or new neighborhood is simply more profitable when the architecture is correct ..." -- Nathan Norris, Developer
"... the first book in my library and the only book I take into the field ..." -- James B. Wagnon, Jr., Historical Home Crafters, Inc.
This book explains, in layman's terms, the vague sense of unease we've all had with traditional architecture done incorrectly for the past half-century, and provides the tools for doing it right again. The first tool is a fully illustrated Lexicon of nearly 240 terms we should all know, but probably don't. It's hard to ask for something if you don't know what to call it. It's also hard to say it if you don't know how to pronounce it, so the Lexicon provides pronunciation of all of the words that are not obvious.
The primary tool, however, is a collection of 108 patterns illustrated as Dos and Don'ts with diagrams and photographs. These patterns represent the most common errors of traditional construction, and are the things we really need to start getting right if we hope to build more of the most-loved places again.
Review
"Steve Mouzon...has produced a manual that is clear, easy to use, and targeted to the most common errors....Traditional architects can now sweep their own house clean." Andres Duany, Architect & Planner
Review
"Looking at a building and seeing a building are two very different things. To truly understand traditional architecture you must train your eye to see the difference between the Dos and Don'ts. Steve Mouzon's beautifully illustrated book provides an essential resource for anyone seeking this knowledge." Marianne Cusato
Review
"[T]o see a town or a building through the eyes of a gifted architect like Steve Mouzon is to truly experience it...this book is an inspiration to building our world better again." Kristen Payne, Southern Living
Synopsis
The rise of the New Urbanism in building design has brought with it a return to traditional construction techniques.
Traditional Construction Patterns: Design and Detail Rules of Thumb, provides instant access to the tips of the trade that will keep your work on budget and in step with the times.
Written by an award-winning architect, this book shows how to avoid common and costly errors while implementing traditional construction details. It provides practical guidance bolstered by illustrations and describes the rules of thumb for designing and applying traditional construction details. You also benefit from:
- A handy format that lists the rule of thumb for each detail
- Correct and incorrect examples of how to design and construct each detail
- A graphical approach that lets architects and builders quickly visualize design solutions
- Extensive explanations of what works, what doesnt, and why
- And much, much more!
No matter if you're an architect, a contractor, an urban planner, or a student,
Traditional Construction Patterns helps you avoid errors that not only mar visual appeal, but cost money. From the drafting table to the job site, this is one resource you shouldn't be without!
Included:
- Themes of Traditional Construction
- Vocabulary of Traditional Construction
- Principles of Traditional Construction
- Details
- Walls
- Doors and Windows
- Columns and Beams
- Eaves
- Porch Ceilings
- Roofs
- Dormers
- Chimneys
Synopsis
* A hands-on, well-illustrated reference that helps architects and contractors avoid making common errors in traditional construction details
* Graphical approach allows users to quickly visualize design solutions
* Lists the rules-of-thumb for each detail, and correct and incorrect examples of how to design or construct each detail
About the Author
Stephen A. Mouzon and Susan M. Henderson are architects and town planners, and are principals of PlaceMakers, which is headquartered in Miami, Florida. Steve is a founder of the New Urban Guild. He has authored or contributed to a number of publications in recent years, including the Public Works Manual, Charles Barrett: The Architectural Drawings, Biltmore Estate Homes, and 1001 Traditional Construction Details. He continues to shoot the photographic Catalog of the Most-Loved Places, which currently includes over 25,000 digital images in 52 volumes. The PlaceMakers Pattern Books are currently the only Transect-based pattern books in existence and are meant to be companion pieces to this book.
Table of Contents
FOREWORDINTRODUCTIONChapter 1: The Story of the Languages of ArchitectureChapter 2: Three Great Themes of Traditional ArchitectureChapter 3: LexiconChapter 4: The Classical OrdersChapter 5: Basic PrinciplesChapter 6: DetailsChapter 7: WallsChapter 8: Doors and WindowsChapter 9: Porches and BalconiesChapter 10: EavesChapter 11: RoofsChapter 12: DormersChapter 13: AttachmentsChapter 14: SiteworkBIBLIOGRAPHYABOUT THE AUTHORS