The American Builder's Companion; or, a SYSTEM OF ARCHITECTURE particularly adapted to the present style of building

Benjamin, Asher

ISBN 10: 0486222365 / ISBN 13: 9780486222363

Published by Dover Publications, Inc, New York, 1969

About this Item

The format is approximately 8.125 inches by 11 inches, There is a front cover illustration. ix, [1], 114, [2] pages. Frontispiece. Illustrations. This is an unabridged reprint of the sixth edition with 70 plates and a new Introduction by William Morgan, Asher Benjamin (June 15, 1773 July 26, 1845) was an architect and author whose work transitioned between Federal architecture and the later Greek Revival architecture. His handbooks on design influenced the look of cities and towns throughout New England until the Civil War. Builders copied his plans in the Midwest and in the South. By 1803, Benjamin was living in Boston, listed in the city directory as a housewright. He appears to have conducted the country's first architecture school. Samuel Shepherd and Ithiel Town are credited among his pupils. Benjamin's influence is derived from his books. The first written by an American architect, they introduced architectural history, style and geometry to builders. William Newton Morgan, Sr. (December 14, 1930 January 18, 2016) was an American architect and author. One of William Morgan's famous creations is the neo modern house in Ormond Beach, Florida. Built for the Root family, owners of the Coca-Cola Bottling, the building is a luxury oceanfront home. In 2012 the University of Florida awarded Morgan an honorary doctor of arts degree as well as the first recipient of its School of Architecture's Lifetime Achievement Award. Morgan has been described as a pioneer of sustainable design. There is scarcely a New England town which does not contain houses, church spires, or ornamental interior details derived from the Late Colonial architectural designs of Asher Benjamin (1773 1845). Benjamin disseminated his ideas chiefly through his publications, of which this book is the most important. Books such as The American Builder's Companion were written for local carpenters to be used as manuals and guides. They made it possible for small-town carpenters, who were already skilled in rudimentary carpentry and house construction, to give their buildings sophistication and style. There were instructions for raising and supporting several types of roofs, constructing winding stairs, spacing fluting evenly on columns, modeling and mounting friezes, etc. Carpenters were thus able to plan, build, and decorate complex, ornate structures. The American Builder's Companion includes rules and definitions of practical geometry and discussion of methods for drawing basic shapes and cutting them out of solids. There are designs for interior ornament patterns for decorative cornices, moldings, banisters, stucco ceiling ornaments, mantels, etc., as well as designs for doorways and windows. Benjamin deals with problematic structural elements, and provides full plans and elevations for private houses, wooden churches, and a court house. Benjamin's book is Important as a major disseminators of a style which became almost ubiquitous in the Northeast. It contains a rich store of evidence on problems and achievements of early American builders. Direct references to tools, materials, common practices and processes, and unconscious indication of taste and aesthetic values of the time will be invaluable to students of architecture, experts in restoration, and readers interested in American history and culture.

Seller Inventory # 91063

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The American Builder's Companion; or, a SYSTEM OF ARCHITECTURE particularly adapted to the present style of building
• Publisher: Dover Publications, Inc, New York
• Publication Date: 1969
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0486222365
• ISBN 13: 9780486222363
• Binding: Trade paperback
• Edition: Reprint of the Sixth (1827) edition.
• Condition: Good

About this title

Synopsis

There is scarcely a New England town which does not contain houses, church spires, or ornamental interior details derived from the Late Colonial architectural designs of Asher Benjamin (1773–1845). Benjamin disseminated his ideas chiefly through his publications, of which this book is the most important.
Books such as The American Builder's Companion were written for local carpenters to be used as manuals and guides. They made it possible for small-town carpenters, who were already skilled in rudimentary carpentry and house construction, to give their buildings sophistication and style. There were instructions for raising and supporting several types of roofs, constructing winding stairs, spacing fluting evenly on columns, modeling and mounting friezes, etc. Carpenters were thus able to plan, build, and decorate complex, ornate structures.
The American Builder's Companion includes rules and definitions of practical geometry and discussion of methods for drawing basic shapes and cutting them out of solids. There are designs for interior ornament — patterns for decorative cornices, moldings, banisters, stucco ceiling ornaments, mantels, etc., as well as designs for doorways and windows. Benjamin also deals with problematic structural elements, and finally provides full plans and elevations for private houses, wooden churches, and a court house.
Important as one of the single, major disseminators of a style which became almost ubiquitous in the Northeast, Benjamin's book also contains a rich store of evidence on problems and achievements of early American builders. Direct references to tools, materials, common practices and processes, and unconscious indication of taste and aesthetic values of the time will be invaluable to students of architecture, experts in restoration, and readers interested in American history and culture. New introduction by William Morgan. 70 plates.

About the Author

American architect and author Asher Benjamin (1773–1845) wrote seven handbooks on design that influenced architecture throughout the nation during the stylistic transition between Federal and Greek Revival.