A look at how nature serves as a source of inspiration for contemporary architecture. Nature has always furnished stimulating ideas for the design of architecture, and the use of animal forms in contemporary architecture—whether to endow a project with symbolism, find a functional solution, or simply for aesthetic reasons—has become a commonplace practice. Inspired by Nature: Animals focuses on specific analogies, comparing and contrasting techniques and materials used in animal constructions with examples of human architecture. It gathers together the work of two dozen architects who have drawn on such structures as tortoise and snail shells, spiders’ webs and birds’ nests, beehives and beaver lodges.

Among the built examples from around the world are inventive projects such as Elephant Skin House (PPAG Architects, Austria), Kiss the Frog! (mmw architects, Norway), Moore Apiary (Marlon Blackwell, Cashiers, North Carolina), Concrete Pod (Kazuya Morita Architecture Studio, Nagoya, Japan), and more, beautifully illustrated in colorful photographs supplemented by plans. The visual analogies underline how architects can find elegant solutions and create new, sustainable, and efficient architectonic forms by the close and understanding observation of nature.
198 color photographs; 205 color and black & white line drawings....

Over the years, it is the small apartment -- that tiniest of homes -- that has emerged as a reflection of a lifestyle typical of our times. Yet even these small spaces can use ingenious extra touches to adapt residents' needs to minimal spaces -- without sacrificing style or comfort. Small Apartments showcases 24 exquisite apartments from diverse worldwide locations such as Miami, San Francisco, New York City, Paris, London, Lisbon, and more, each of which features innovative design strategies such as multi-functional furniture, movable panels, splashes of color, or decorating restraint. Whether your design tastes run toward spontaneity in decor or the precision of architectural details, you'll find in these pages wonderful inspiration for making the most out of your own small apartment. ...

Seemingly limitless examples of individual expression display the diversity of design solutions that can be applied to each room in your house. Experimentation with arrangement, color, texture, material, and finishes illuminate the myriad ways to personalize spaces and create the dream home. At 650 full–color pages of hundreds and hundreds of ideas, ROOM–BY–ROOM DESIGNSOURCE is an amazing value.

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In this unique visual history of New York City's architecture, more than 300 diverse buildings—from landmark skyscrapers, museums, and churches to simple houses and majestic bridges—are depicted and discussed chronologically, by neighborhood, and by structure type. Some 350 years of architectural history unfold (quite literally) in words and vivid images in this groundbreaking book. Set in a useful timeline format, each entry includes a photograph and description, plus dates, architects, and other relevant data. Ten foldouts delve deeper into the history of some significant structures, and feature blueprints, interiors, and large color images.

The chronological section lays out each major architectural period, noting changes in the city's population, economy, and politics, and the historic events that shaped its architecture. The borough section includes hidden architectural gems as well as a map of each borough pinpointing each entry in the book. Parks, churches, museums, monuments, and more are explored in the structure section. Chock-full of architectural and historical facts organized in a fresh new way, New York: A Historical Atlas of Architecture will be indispensable for architecture enthusiasts and anyone interested in the glories of New York City....