An Essay on Architecture: In Which Its True Principles Are Explained, and Invariable Rules Proposed, for Directing the Judgement and Forming the Taste of the Gentleman and the Architect, With Regard t - Hardcover

Marc-Antoine Laugier

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0265227445 ISBN 13: 9780265227442

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

A foundational guide to architectural judgment and taste.

This concise treatise explains the true principles and invariable rules for directing the judgment of the gentleman and the architect about different kinds of buildings and city embellishment.

Drawing on a clear, practical approach, it argues that architecture blends solid technique with delicate refinement. It covers general principles, the different orders, the balance of form and function, and how buildings relate to streets, gardens, and urban spaces. The volume also discusses the importance of proportion, distribution, and the careful weighing of materials to ensure lasting, elegant results.

• Understand the core aims of architecture beyond mere ornament, including durability, proportion, and usefulness.
• Explore how the Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and composite orders contribute to different effects and how to apply them thoughtfully.
• Learn how to judge and plan buildings and city embellishments with a focus on harmony between structure and beauty.
• See practical guidance on arches, vaults, facades, and the relationship between interiors and exterior spaces.

Ideal for readers of architectural history, design, and theory who seek a clear, hand-on perspective on building practice and taste.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0265227445
• ISBN 13: 9780265227442
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 308