The Function of Ornament,   ISBN:9788496540507

Customer Rating: 

This is not a technical manual as a couple reviewers seems to wish, nor a survey of ornament in architecture. Nor does it ever claim to be such--reviewers should review a book not wish it was a different book. Instead it represents the results of graduate level research at Harvard Graduate School of Design into a revitalized understanding of the role of ornament in architecture and how one employs technical and material means to produce architecture effects and phenomena. As such the book is extremely clear, useful and elegantly designed and thoughtfully organized. Great for students and professional who want to think.

Customer Rating: 

I'll agree with some other reviews and say that this is only for students. The book DOES make some intelligent and iconic building systems very clear, but it is only a cursory look. You expect to turn the page to find more investigation and its not there. So this book is only for undergrad students. Professionals look elsewhere.

Customer Rating: 

The title suggests that this book is about architectural ornament, but it really covers only an extremely limited, and not particularly interesting, part of that rich topic.

Customer Rating: 

THis book is very helpful for a studio that focus' on facade elements and how to express identity. Has lots of precedent studies and is full of inspiration for designing your own facade systems. It is mostly line drawings with some text where needed. I think it is a very well put together book and I definitely recommend it to any architecture student who is studying facade systems.

Customer Rating: 

Beautiful and useful; as a Professor of Architecture I will be recommending this volume to all of my students.