American House Styles: A Concise Guide - Softcover

Baker, John Milnes

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0393323250 ISBN 13: 9780393323252

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company, 2002

Synopsis

How and where did different architectural styles develop? America has an abundance of fascinating and varied house styles, as fascinating and diverse as its people.

This unique book will allow readers to recognize the architectural features and style of virtually any house they encounter.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"Colonial", "Victorian", "Neoclassical", "Modern" - what distinguishes one architectural style from another? How and where did these different styles develop? America has an abundance of fascinating and varied house styles, as fascinating and diverse as its people. When we explore our neighborhoods and travel around the country, how do we recognize the kind of architecture we see? Even people interested in houses can rarely identify the style of their own homes with any precision. This unique book will allow readers to recognize the architectural features and style of virtually any house they encounter. To create this guide, architect John Milnes Baker designed a simple, two-story house with four bedrooms. From it he developed the basic plan for each historical style - from the steeply pitched roofs of Early New England Colonial houses to the turrets and grand porches of the Queen Anne style, the austere geometry of the International style, and today's Postmodern multiple eclecticisms. By starting each drawing with the same plan and adding the essential characteristics of each style, Baker ensures that the reader does not become confused by additions and later embellishments to the buildings. Each section of American House Styles begins with a historical overview of the period, followed by a concise commentary on each style. The author then highlights the specific design details that distinguish one style from another. He shows how different styles developed and what influenced their development. His beautifully wrought elevation drawings, each with a floor plan, illustrate the details of style clearly and with precision. Through an understanding of earlier styles, we develop insightsinto the architecture of our own era. Not only is it fun, but the study of architecture also nurtures a critical sense and allows us to make informed judgments about what is being built today.

About the Author:

John Milnes Baker, AIA, is an architect specializing in residential design. A member of the Society of Architectural Historians and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, he is the author of How to Build a House with an Architect and his work has appeared in numerous architectural journals. He lives in South Kent, CT.

About this edition

• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0393323250
• ISBN 13: 9780393323252
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 194