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Architecture: Form, Space, & Order
A superb visual reference to the principles of architecture Now including interactive CD-ROM! For more than thirty years, the beautifully illustrated Architecture: Form, Space, and Order has been the classic introduction to the basic vocabulary of architectural design. The updated Third Edition features expanded sections on circulation, light, views, and site context, along with new considerations of environmental factors, building codes, and contemporary examples of form, space, and order. This classic visual reference helps both students and practicing architects understand the basic vocabulary of architectural design by examining how form and space are ordered in the built environment.? Using his trademark meticulous drawing, Professor Ching shows the relationship between fundamental elements of architecture through the ages and across cultural boundaries. By looking at these seminal ideas, Architecture: Form, Space, and Order encourages the reader to look critically at the built environment and promotes a more evocative understanding of architecture. In addition to updates to content and many of the illustrations, this new edition includes a companion CD-ROM that brings the book's architectural concepts to life through three-dimensional models and animations created by Professor Ching.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
711 people are currently reading
12.3k people want to read
About the author
Francis D.K. Ching
52books404followersFrank (Francis D. K.) Ching (born 1943) is a widely recognized author of books addressing architectural and design graphics. Ching's books have been widely influential and continue to shape the visual language of all fields of design. He is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
September 18, 2007
never aclaimed that you know or ever learning architecture if you never read...i mean really read this book. this book is like the first book to every architect or architact student in the world.
a very nice book with alot of sketch that visually fun to read. easyly understood. and it become the stong influence to all the architect hand writings. i should say this book is a legendary book
a very nice book with alot of sketch that visually fun to read. easyly understood. and it become the stong influence to all the architect hand writings. i should say this book is a legendary book
August 10, 2009
This book was recommended to my by a former professor and friend, Dr. Lee Gray, after I told him that I wanted to gain a basic understand of design before I read some of the other books that are on my 'design' shelf. 'Architecture: Form, Space and Order' by Francis D.K. Ching is the perfect introduction to design. Ching walks the reader through elementary design concepts starting with points and lines, and ending with hierarchy and datum as methods of order. For someone with no prior knowledge of design, it was nice to have basic concepts explained so clearly.
Ching also does well at building the vocabulary of the subject. Often times half the battle of learning a subject is just understanding the vocabulary that goes along with it. Plus, I really love the way that architects talk about buildings. Here's my favorite example; "The orderly rows of columns also punctuate the spatial volume, mark off modular zones within the spatial field, and establish a measurable rhythm and scale which make the spatial dimensions comprehensive."
The illustrations in this book are all original and of near perfect quality. The numerous illustrations also helped me grasp some of the concepts that could not be explained by words. The lettering is also an original creation done by hand. Today you can find the letter from this book as the font "tekton."
This book is great for those who hope to one day use apply these concepts, but it's also the perfect book for those interested in gaining an understanding of the built environment that they connect with everyday.
Ching also does well at building the vocabulary of the subject. Often times half the battle of learning a subject is just understanding the vocabulary that goes along with it. Plus, I really love the way that architects talk about buildings. Here's my favorite example; "The orderly rows of columns also punctuate the spatial volume, mark off modular zones within the spatial field, and establish a measurable rhythm and scale which make the spatial dimensions comprehensive."
The illustrations in this book are all original and of near perfect quality. The numerous illustrations also helped me grasp some of the concepts that could not be explained by words. The lettering is also an original creation done by hand. Today you can find the letter from this book as the font "tekton."
This book is great for those who hope to one day use apply these concepts, but it's also the perfect book for those interested in gaining an understanding of the built environment that they connect with everyday.
December 9, 2016
Εξαιρετικό εγχειρίδιο αρχιτεκτονικής, η παράθεση πολλών σκίτσων καθιστά την ανάγνωση πιο ευχάριστη και το κείμενο πιο κατανοητό. Μελετά και πραγματεύεται τη μορφή, το χώρο, το ρυθμό, τις κινήσεις...ακόμη και την απλή γεωμετρία της γραμμής, του επιπέδου και του όγκου από πολλαπλές πλευρές και αποκαλύπτει εργαλεία και εκφάνσεις της αρχιτεκτονικής που δεν διαπιστώνονται εύκολα, κυρίως στους μη-σχετικούς με τον αρχιτεκτονικό τομέα. Λόγω του απλού, λιτού και περιγραφικού του λόγου είναι ιδανικό για φοιτητές αρχιτεκτονικής και ειδικότερα όταν βρίσκονται στην αρχή των σπουδών τους, αλλά ακόμη και για όποιον θέλει να κοιτάξει και να αντιληφθεί την αρχιτεκτονική από μία διαφορετική οπτική γωνία.
April 8, 2022
Done finally! First read book on architecture shelf !
Great book as an introduction to architecture with super amazing sketches!
I learn so much with Ching's easy vocabularies and useful sketching techniques. I think this book is good for beginners in the field among Ching's writing style which may be the simplest one.
I suppose that I will come back to this book from time to time -beside reading Ching's other books of course.
The quotes that Ching's starts every chapter with are wonderful!
here is the last quote in the conclusion :
Great book as an introduction to architecture with super amazing sketches!
I learn so much with Ching's easy vocabularies and useful sketching techniques. I think this book is good for beginners in the field among Ching's writing style which may be the simplest one.
I suppose that I will come back to this book from time to time -beside reading Ching's other books of course.
The quotes that Ching's starts every chapter with are wonderful!
here is the last quote in the conclusion :
“You employ stone, wood, and concrete, and with these materials you build houses and palaces. That is construction. Ingenuity is at work. But suddenly, you touch my heart, you do me good. I am happy and I say: ‘This is beautiful.� That is architecture. Art enters in.
My house is practical. I thank you, as I might thank Railway engineers,
or the Telephone service. You have not touched my heart.
But suppose that walls rise toward heaven in such a way that I am moved. I perceive your intentions. Your mood has been gentle, brutal, charming, or noble. The stones you have erected tell me so. You fix me to the place and my eyes regard it. They behold something which expresses a thought. A thought which reveals itself without wood or sound, but solely by means of shapes which stand in a certain relationship to one another. These shapes are such that they are clearly revealed in light. The relationships between them have not necessarily any reference to what is practical or descriptive. They are a mathematical creation of our mind. They are the language of Architecture. By the use of raw materials and starting from conditions more or less utilitarian, you have established certain relationships which have aroused my emotions. This is Architecture.�
-Le Corbusier
June 8, 2016
An excellent introduction of explaining the principals of architechture, the basic elements of architecture, and a perspective of the building and other elements surrounding it, wih sketches and quotes about architecture.
Very simple, easy to read. Highly recommended for all architecture students.
it was useful during my second semester of architecture. <3
Very simple, easy to read. Highly recommended for all architecture students.
it was useful during my second semester of architecture. <3
February 3, 2014
I have read both ching books and lawson books about architecture and design. of course they look at their field from their own perspective; but there is something odd about them. ching's books look like more practical and lawson's look so theorical. but when you get to design something, it turns out you may use what you read in lawson's books more often!
I cannot make a connection between designing and what ching says in his books. you can introduce architecture and design to non-architects and non-designers pretty well; but you will never "learn" designing through ching's books.
I cannot make a connection between designing and what ching says in his books. you can introduce architecture and design to non-architects and non-designers pretty well; but you will never "learn" designing through ching's books.
November 11, 2018
I wish I had discovered this one during my years of studying architecture. It is still a reference to which I go back every now and then to refresh my memory. I would recommend it to every architecture student, or anyone related to the industry...
A precious one !
A precious one !
September 13, 2014
آموزش زبان معماري و دنياي مفاهيم و اصول مقدماتي آن به همراه تصاويري عالي كه حتي خواننده ي عادي را هم جذب كتاب مي كند.
كتاب در عين سادگي، فوق العاده است و همانند يك كلاس آموزشي تمام عيار عمل مي كند.
كتاب در عين سادگي، فوق العاده است و همانند يك كلاس آموزشي تمام عيار عمل مي كند.
June 22, 2008
Architecture: Form, Space, & Order serves as an excellent introduction to architectural design. Ching starts with the most basic elements of geometry--points, lines, planes, volumes--and demonstrates how they can be combined and organized to create architectural forms. The book is composed mostly of illustrations with short sections of text. Each topic is introduced, discussed, and illustrated with both simple drawings and schematics along with renderings of famous architectural landmarks that demonstrate the principles in question. It should be kept in mind that the goal of the book is to examine the underlying properties of architecture (geometry, proportion, arrangement) and not to introduce architecture history or movements. If you're interested in architecture history, this is not the book to read. If you want to understand the geometry underlying architecture, this is where you should start.
July 21, 2012
Your guide to Architecture 101. Simple and clear with a lot of examples.
It was a big help for my projects.
It was a big help for my projects.
August 22, 2013
Gorgeous illustrations, very clear concepts... Love this book. One of the best design resources still available to architects and designers.
May 17, 2022
It was so interesting to remember/more deeply understand the basics and fundamentals of architecture in our surroundings. It opens up a mind and creativity in our minds and everyday life. Loved it!
Read
October 14, 2020A nice book that presents a rounded introduction to some of the primary concerns of the domain of architecture. Ching gently guides us through his clear and fairly intuitive categorisations: elements, form, form & space, organisation, circulation, proportion & scale, principles. The book is filled with clarifying sketches and diagrammatic examples that span the ages and the cultures; the linework is pleasing. These are some of the rudiments of architecture. The ideas are accessible and the diction steady. A friendly exposition.
November 19, 2019
A Great Introductory book for Architecture for Non-Architecture.
The Book gives many example of forms, forms & space, organization, circulation, proportion & scale. It's quite intriguing to see Architectural forms of temples, churches, buildings.
If you're a non-architect and want to building a vocabulary and abstraction in Architecture, I would recommend this book. Frank Lloyd Wright's designs are all over the book.
I would recommend checking out Vitruvius & Palladio if you're interested further.
Deus Vult,
Gottfried.
The Book gives many example of forms, forms & space, organization, circulation, proportion & scale. It's quite intriguing to see Architectural forms of temples, churches, buildings.
If you're a non-architect and want to building a vocabulary and abstraction in Architecture, I would recommend this book. Frank Lloyd Wright's designs are all over the book.
I would recommend checking out Vitruvius & Palladio if you're interested further.
Deus Vult,
Gottfried.
Read
December 25, 2024preach
January 24, 2013
I first had this book assigned for my first Design Workshop, I had to copy the diagrams and sketches. Since then I have always browsed it's pages for inspiration, or leisure, anyway I always learn something new. One can never actually be done reading this book. It's excellent for architecture students, and some "long-time architects" ought to take a look at it too.
Every chapter goes from a simple concept to it's complex application on a building, it reviews architecture from Mesopotamia to Louis Kahn.
Though it is a book meant for architecture students, I believe it's simplicity of language makes it very accessible to the general public as well. I would recommend this book to any amateur or lego who wants to learn to appreciate and understand architecture.
Every chapter goes from a simple concept to it's complex application on a building, it reviews architecture from Mesopotamia to Louis Kahn.
Though it is a book meant for architecture students, I believe it's simplicity of language makes it very accessible to the general public as well. I would recommend this book to any amateur or lego who wants to learn to appreciate and understand architecture.
June 25, 2010
ahh..buku ini..pernah saya hafal setiap lembar isi buku ini.di setiap tugas saya pasti membuka buku ini sebagai preseden.terlebih ketika masa-masa tugas akhir.sekali lagi,saya tahu bagian apa di halaman apa.panduan bentuk dan tata ruang arsitektur paling mujarab.walau saya hanya memiliki fotokopiannya,tapi tetap buku ini menjadi buku paling favorit untuk saya mengerjakan tugas-tugas kuliah dulu bahkan sekarang ketika saya sudah bekerja.
March 18, 2011
even though the first time the book seems really useless regarding learning about fundamentals of points ,line and architecture principals.Then, after having lots of studio works and design classes .its somehow helping me to describe , to know , to talk about what architecture should take .Its an enlightenment from become a carpenter . but seriously i'm enjoying all the dk ching sketches .
March 22, 2024
Covers a lot of ideas. The drawings are well done. It is used by many Universities in their first architecture class. Unfortunately, the ideas are presented so very briefly that few students will understand the significance of the idea. I am not even certain many architecture faculty understand where the ideas came from, where they have been applied or when they should be applied. It could use footnotes and directions on where to go to better understand what is being presented.
August 26, 2017
Very interesting book - it provides information about basic blocks of architecture, and I think it's good base for the next book in my reading list:
September 5, 2018
In any design or artistic field, the most essential concepts to grasp are the terminologies and language used by those in it. This book does that phenomenally well for Architecture. By the end you'll have a firm grasp on the basic concepts, forms and structures used by architects in the manipulation of space.
January 5, 2018
I'm an architecture student in my first year and this book is really useful. It clarifies certain aspects and how you can put them to use. But the main reason why I love it is because the drawings are all handmade with such precision, I'm in awe!
Read
November 2, 2007THIS IS A BEST BOOK TO LEARN AN BECOME AN ARCHITECT...:)
April 12, 2015
In brief, Ching was a genius guy !
thank you for your writings Mr-Ching ^^
boya :D
thank you for your writings Mr-Ching ^^
boya :D
September 19, 2007
when are you truly done reading this?!?!
March 21, 2011
one of my favorite books..by DK Ching..
June 8, 2024
Beginning with a treatment of the fundamentals of architecture (i.e. the development of points into lines, lines into planes, and planes into volume), and subsequently adumbrating the varied schemata of interaction and organization that these basic elements participate in for the purposes of architecture, this is a book that tends a little towards textbook-adjacent dryness.
The drawings however are quite beautiful in their Zen-like minimalism, and they are perfectly chosen to illustrate whichever particular architectural principle that the author is elucidating; there are occasional instances, though, where some very basic acquaintance with the particular cartography of architecture (floor plans, cross sections etc) would be useful.
The final section on proportion and scale, departs from the slightly bare bones approach of the previous chapters, and theories of ratio and harmony are sourced from the Ancient Greeks down to Corbusier.
Recommended for those who want a primer on the 'grammar' of architecture, and not profound meditations on the same - the tantalizingly broad subtitle of this book notwithstanding.
The drawings however are quite beautiful in their Zen-like minimalism, and they are perfectly chosen to illustrate whichever particular architectural principle that the author is elucidating; there are occasional instances, though, where some very basic acquaintance with the particular cartography of architecture (floor plans, cross sections etc) would be useful.
The final section on proportion and scale, departs from the slightly bare bones approach of the previous chapters, and theories of ratio and harmony are sourced from the Ancient Greeks down to Corbusier.
Recommended for those who want a primer on the 'grammar' of architecture, and not profound meditations on the same - the tantalizingly broad subtitle of this book notwithstanding.
June 13, 2024
I like the fact that this book uses many illustrations. Actually, it is more illustrative than textual and for good reason. It is for a field of study that inspires people that draw. So, I think this book is great for those who want to start from elementary ideas of drawing starting from use of point and line and moving up to use of spaces.
Because it is illustrative, it will be a quick read. As someone, who has an appreciation of architecture by passing Technical Drawing at High School I can see this being a good collection of inspiration. Since my interest in reading this is to get the knowledge to better understand the architect, I mostly appreciated the effect of spaces on light and ventilation. I also like that the book gave consideration to the movement of pedestrian traffic through the designs of buildings.
Because it is illustrative, it will be a quick read. As someone, who has an appreciation of architecture by passing Technical Drawing at High School I can see this being a good collection of inspiration. Since my interest in reading this is to get the knowledge to better understand the architect, I mostly appreciated the effect of spaces on light and ventilation. I also like that the book gave consideration to the movement of pedestrian traffic through the designs of buildings.
December 29, 2021
The book provides the reader with a base knowledge of how architectural design is developed from simple shapes to intricate creations. It includes numerous illustrated examples of real-life buildings to enhance each of the authors points. If you are interested in architectural or interior design, the book can teach you how to “think� about the design development of a space. It is essentially a highly specialized picture book intended for design professionals and enthusiasts.
As a construction professional, I feel this book can help the reader discuss design with design professional in detail. It also help to recognize the intent of an architect and meet their design specifications by breaking down the intricate design elements in a simpler form. Worthwhile for preconstruction managers.
As a construction professional, I feel this book can help the reader discuss design with design professional in detail. It also help to recognize the intent of an architect and meet their design specifications by breaking down the intricate design elements in a simpler form. Worthwhile for preconstruction managers.
March 25, 2024
I bought this book because I'm curious about professions related to art that require a great deal of passion, specific knowledge, or willpower (like cooking, painting, or design jobs). I wanted a book that would help me understand the ideas behind architecture but also included definitions of terms; I want to understand why people become architects or what concepts excite them about the career. This book does most of the things I needed it to do, plus it has GORGEOUS pencil drawings to illustrate terminology and examples of concepts in real life spaces. I can't say that it exactly delivered what I was looking for, but I certainly have a better idea than I did before, and it has impacted the way I look at spaces and buildings!
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