The Architect's Studio Companion: Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design

My grand daughter, a senior architecture student, absolutely loved this gift and said it would be very helpful in her studio class.

great condition. great edition. very helpful as an architecture student when trying to follow code when designing buildings

I know what your thinking, it’s expensive. Why buy this textbook?? This is the most valuable textbook I was ever asked to buy. Has all the formulas and ada, ibc, and irc stuff that you don’t want to actually have to sort through the whole code books for. This one’s worth it.

Using this book to study for the ARE. Good resource to have and fast delivery. 100% recommended

I'm a practicing architect and found this book very helpful when studying for my exams. One of the most comprehensive guides to building systems out there. It is presented in plain language and does an excellent job breaking down the advantages and disadvantages of common structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Unfortunately, the outdated, awkward graphics really let down the content. The primary font is a very unfashionable chunky serif that is difficult to read. The font and lines are all too bold. Often the columns are too narrow so you end up reading more up-and-down than side-to-side, which can be distracting. The matrix charts, which are very helpful and one of the best content features of the book, look like they were drawn in the 1970s. The diagrams are all in black-and-white so in terms of remembering the content they all tend to blend together. Please update the graphics. Add more iconography and infographics, use a lighter sans-serif font, add color to the diagrams, make the charts easier to read, and employ thinner line weights. I would pay more for a better presentation.

Great study guide for taking the Architect Reg Exam (ARE)!! Best practices for mechanical systems, structural systems, construction types, occupancy types, etc.

Lots of good information. A great quick reference guide and study aid!

Really awesome guide that I use almost everyday. Even though it is paperback, the front and back covers have a high quality laminate feel.

The writer makes this important point in the introduction to the book that is has been written to be 'your desktop technical advisor for the earliest stages of building design'. I know slightly less than zero about Architecture but my stepson is a builder and carpenter and did a foundation in Architecture. As he was very interested in this book, I got it for him. Here are his thoughts: "This book is a must have in any studio, perfectly complementing creative/conceptual aspects of architecture. It systematically delivers practical solutions using a comprehensive range of important categories within design processes. This in turn helps user/practitioners bring to life ideas, shifting from concept into realistic proposals." From what I could see from the index it covers essential information for someone wanting to design any type of dwelling and/or building. It was written for the USA market, so I expect there will be some information that would need to be adapted/ignored or used differently for the UK market as I'm sure our building codes are not the same! I.E we don't have to deal with large amounts of snow like they do in North America!!

Fantastic resource for both architects and students in studio, from preliminary to schematic design phases. The structural members section particularly is a life saver

This is a very good technical book for architects and what they have to consider when designing buildings. It contains all the key information required on such things as installation requirements of various heating systems, girders, wiring, plumbing, flooring and lighting etc. All the factors that have to be considered when house designing and building. This book is like a bible to architects all over the world, whether designing homes or commercial buildings. Contains lots of diagrams, graphs and tables.

Seems like a great book to have on hand. It looked brand new despite being a used copy

Just looking at this book you know it was made for architects. It is truly a thing of beauty both visually and physically. I've never seen a book covered in this way - a thin cover with curved corners all covered with glossy, pale blue paper that is perfectly sealed on the inside by the inner cover. You just want to pick it up and touch it - and open it. The pages also are beautifully smooth and luxurious to the touch. It truly would not be out of place in the most advanced architectural design studio, just for the way it looks. Then you look at the content. It is superb in its depth of explanation and attention to detail. It is the ultimate ready-reckoner for anyone working in the industry or anyone wanting to self-build and ensure they are doing everything right. It is American but also has Canadian and International building codes. Definitely a must for any student or professional in the field.