Building Construction Before Mechanization (MIT Press)
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.39 (730 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 026256047X |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 344 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2016-03-22 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
How were huge stones moved from quarries to the sites of Egyptian pyramids? How did the cathedral builders of the Middle Ages lift blocks to great heights by muscle power alone? In this intriguing book John Fitchen explains and illustrates the solutions to these and many other puzzles in preindustrial building construction.This is the first general survey of the practices and role of the builder (as opposed to the designer) in constructing an array of structures. The buildings discussed range from the tents, tepees, and igloos of nomadic tribes to the monumental pyramids of Egypt, the temples of Greece, the aqueducts of Rome, and the cathedrals of medieval Europe..
. John Fitchen, a registered architect, is Professor of Fine Arts, Emeritus, at Colgate University and the author of The Construction of Gothic Cathedrals and The New World Dutch Barn
Building Construction Before Mechanization is a mine of informationThere are many insights and a jargon free use of language which will make the book accessible -- and thought provoking -- to a wide readership. (Times Literary Supplement)
"An Incredible Survey of Techniques" according to William B. Swift. This book surveys what is known of construction techniques before mechanization - from an entire chapter on the Egyptian pyramids to recent vernacular and jerry-built construction, from planning to quarrying and transporting stones to raising workers and materials on site. Though most of the book concentrates on stonework for obvious reasons, there are brief discu. Corey Leslie said Wonderful in every way. If you are interested by construction or past cultures, give this book a read. My own copy is dog-eared, bookmarked, scribbled in, and in overall shabby shape--having been loaned to several of my peers. The writing style is specific but navigable, and the illustrations are inspiring. Two of my favorite and often-referenced themes from this book: that people in the. Readable, informative and very interesting MC Ever wonder how all of those heavy stone parts were hoisted into the ceilings of a cathedral? Curios how the arch forms were installed in large ancient aqueducts? These and so many more building methods of the ancient and medieval world are explored and presented in practical, easily understood sections in this excellent scholarly volume.