BOOKS and REVIEWS

Archive of Older Topics Archive - Specifications Discussions
1

I have started work in a new (for me) architecture firm. I’ve spent the past 3 1/2 years working for a general contractor. I realized that a few things have changed - AutoCAD has a few new features and the recent graduates are younger than ever.

With 20 years of experience, I was hired for the immediate tasks at hand, but also to help these younger than ever graduates become more technically proficient. Of course, the first thing I did was look at the library. If we removed the product catalogs and the copies of graphic standards and Masterspec, the shelves would be empty.

I get plenty of advertisements and catalogs in the mail, I just cant tell which of several similar books would be the best buy. I spent a day off in Harvard Square looking at Architecture options in the normally well-stocked bookstores. The Harvard Coop has about 300 linear feet of bookshelves devoted to Architecture and Planning, but less than 10 books on Contract Documents, and those were all the usual suspects. I’ve spent the last few lunch breaks trying to find on line book sellers and book reviews. I have found even more books but I havent found reviews.

Does anyone know where I can find book reviews? Does anyone have any suggestions for books that every office, or every architect, should have?

2

You might start with a book called ARCHITECTURAL WORKING DRAWINGS, 4th edition, by Liebing out of John Wiley. Has a good reading list included.

3

Reviews are hard to come by. Some books on amazon.com have comments by the publisher and/or readers.
Try:
http://www.pabooks.com/
http://www.bookworkz.com/
http://www.bookmarki.com/index.asp
http://www.hamiltonbook.com/Discount_Books/Catalog/References__Resources_for_Architects_RRE.html

[Thanks Anonymous for the plug]

4

Some of the ones I’ve had the need to refer to most:

  • An English language dictionary (for the notoriously bad spellers)
  • A Dictionary of Architecture and Construction (for proper use of terminology)
  • SMACNA’s Architectural Sheet Metal Manual
  • AWI Quality Standards
  • NRCA Roofing Guidelines
  • TCA Handbook
  • CSI MasterFormat ('95, and '04 when it comes out)

That should be a good start anyway.

5

David lists some good ones -
-Dictionary of Architecture & Construction by Cyril M. Harris is an excellent choice.
-Another one is Means Illustrated Construction Dictionary.
-A great reference on materials is Construction Materials Types, Uses and Applications by Caleb Hornbostel
-For anyone in California, you will want to get the Manual of Millwork by the Woodwork Institute, not to be confused with AWI.
-As for MF’04 - I personally would not waste my money.

6

Great choices in the last 2 messages. Another very good dictionary is the CONSTRUCTION DICTIONARY, published by the Phoenix Cahpter of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION-- lot of technical terms and misnomers used in construction jargon.

7

The CSI Manual of Practice is the best resource on contract documents, IMHO. A new edition is due to release later this year. You may want to consider one of the ASTM compendiums of standards relating to construction. We have built our library of industry standards by purchasing them as issues and projects come up and we find we are weak in that area.

8

You might want to look for these books on Ebay’s Half.com, where I often get books in excellent condition at sharply reduced prices.