Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, and Meaning

by Leland M. Roth, Amanda C. Roth Clark

 This widely acclaimed, beautifully illustrated survey of Western architecture is now fully revised throughout, including essays on non-Western traditions. The expanded book vividly examines the structure, function, history, and meaning of architecture in ways that are both accessible and engaging.
 
Significant features of the third edition include:
 
Increased global coverage, with new essays on Africa, Japan, China, India, Islamic architecture, and the architecture of the Americas. A new chapter covering twenty-first century architecture. Updated coverage of sustainable and green architecture and its impact on design. Revised historical survey and expanded and illustrated timeline. Thoroughly revised and expanded art program, including more than 650 black and white images–135 new to this edition, and more than 200 line art drawings created by author Leland Roth. A new 32-page, full color insert features more than 50 new color images. Understanding Architecture continues to be the only text in the field to examine architecture as a cultural phenomenon as well as an artistic and technological achievement with its straightforward, two-part structure: The Elements of Architecture and The History and Meaning of Architecture. Comprehensive and clearly written, Understanding Architecture is a classic survey of architecture.

Genres: Architecture, History, Nonfiction, Art, Design, Reference, School

816 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roth offers a thorough examination of architecture as both art and feat of engineering within its historical context. However, the author barely broaches the subject of women in architecture during the 20th and 21st centuries, including simply name-dropping Zaha Hadid, whose contributions during the past decade include the London Aquatic Centre used during the 2012 Olympic Games and China's Guangzhou Opera House, hardly insignificant works. Hadid also won the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004, the first woman/Muslim to do so. She is, by no means, an anomaly in the industry; women have been making and working on innovative design projects for a long time. Women and men of ethnicities other than white are also sadly absent from its pages, but I still say that the book is extremely informative as an introductory text.

[S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a month to read it and reflect on all the ideas inside, among other inquiries that it alluded to (despite the fact that it is well documented with figures, I loved to check further pictures and sources). I let my "Global History of Architecture" Mooc down, because of the dramatic way of which the book was written, captivated me... From Terra Amata, to Critical Regionalism and Sustainable Architecture, it was an Odyssey to all the confines that made the backstage of architecture production be it : Historical facts, Ideological facts, Philosophical, even "Fun" Facts related to Pope Urban VIII about Rome's extensions and the Haussmannization of Paris under Napoléon III benediction.
A Must read if interested in architecture, an obligation if you're a part of the architecture family.

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the textbook for my Spring 2011 "Intro to Architecture" class. I went into the class being completely naive to all things architecture. I understood that I appreciated the work of architects and thought it to be beautiful, but nothing more. This text introduced me to basic concepts like structure, and function, and allowed me to better appreciate the architecture and history that I experienced every day.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is your basic History of Architecture 101 textbook- it provides an explanation of the elements of architecture followed by a broad survey of the development of architecture in consecutive historical periods, or rather, of "Western" architecture. If you are looking forward to exploring architectural forms throughout the world, you will be sorely disappointed. For instance, Islamic architecture is only briefly noted, leaving an obvious hole between Byzantine architecture and Spanish Baroque. The weakest points of the book are the historical. In many chapters, the focus is entirely on the well-known, canonical architectural works. Additionally, entire ancient cultures are homogenized and over-simplified in favor of a narrative of straight-forward historical progression.

The best parts of the book are in the beginning, where Roth gets to break free of this limiting structure and express creatively the elements of architecture. There are some really cool ideas at play here, as he compares and contrasts architecture from various time periods in terms of their structural elements, rhythm, scale, etc. The final chapters are also quite good, as he breaks out of the canonical works and focuses on buildings he really has something to say about. (And boy does he really have an axe to grind against International Modernism.)

For what it is, though, despite its flaws, it's a really solid introduction to European Architectural history, with plenty of excellent photographs and plans.

[Elnaz]

survey of Western architecture defines and explains structure, function, history, and meaning. Architecture is examined as a cultural phenomenon as well as an artistic and technological achievement. The book is divided into two parts: Part One, “The Elements of Architecture,” deals with the basic properties of architecture in chapters that explain function, structural principles, and elements of design, including examples in the text and illustrations from all periods and styles. Part Two, “The History and Meaning of Architecture,” is a chronological survey of Western architectural development from prehistoric times to the present. The approach is selective in terms of buildings and architects included; the examples are chosen for their importance and significance and are fully explained. Each chronological chapter begins with a concise, historical outline giving the social and cultural background. The illustrations (photographs, drawings, maps, and plans) are integrated with the text and there are notes, suggested readings, a glossary, chronological chart, and index.

[Alvaro Arcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leland Roth, hace un recuento al mejor estilo de Ernst Gombrich en la Historia del arte, pero en este caso el énfasis es sobre la historia de la arquitectura, un libro clave para acabar la dicotomía académica entre la historia y el desarrollo del proyecto arquitectónico.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent chapters on Gothic cathedrals and commoner dwellings of the ancient world.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

an in-depth look at basic architectural concepts. very enlightening for beginners in architecture.

[Eric Trull · Rating 1 out of 5]

DRRRRRYYYYY, alot of useful information though.

[Can Arat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mimarlık okuyan lisans öğrencileri için kesinlikle öneririm. Yani hatta öyle ki, mimarlıkta ilk baştan sona okunacak kitap budur bile denebilir. (Elbette bundan önce Neufert vs. kitaplarına gerek duyabilirsiniz ama onları hiçbir zaman baştan sona okumak gibi bir durum söz konusu olmaz.) Uzak Doğu ve Orta Doğu Mimarisi gibi pek adı anılmasa da aslında baya önemli olan mimarilerin tarihi bu kitapta yok. Fakat yine de Batı Mimarisinin Antik Yunan'dan başlayarak dönem dönem nasıl geliştiğini, nelerin değiştiğini kronolojik olarak çok güzel anlatıyor. Mimarlık Tarihi ve hatta belki Sanat Tarihi derslerinizde bile işe yarayacak, müthiş bir kitap.

[Sofía Martín · Rating 5 out of 5]

De las mejores lecturas de arquitectura.
Para principiantes, para avanzados en la carrera y para arquis.
Un libro realmente completo y de gran valor para mí. Si tienen la oportunidad, léanlo (si les gusta la historia, claro) <3

[Matias Infeld Caballier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clear and engaging introduction to architectural history and theory, balancing technical insight with accessible explanations. It equips readers with the tools to read buildings critically, making architecture both approachable and intellectually stimulating.

[dantelk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okuması zevkli, bir sürü başka kitaba da referans veriyor.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whichever reviewer said they read this in a month, I salute you

[Sam]

An easy to understand primer of western architecture.
The language is down to earth and not overly academicized.

[Zaid Aljamal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve just finished reading this amazing book.

For the people who are considering reading it, please note the following:

This book takes you into an architectural journey through time and place. It will teach you the context of the architectural marvels around the globe; how they were designed, built and construct. Not only it does that, it also shows you how humans have evolved the built environment and building technologies through time.

I loved this book, it will always be with me. I would highly recommend it to the bookworms and history lovers. It can expand your knowledge and become a better architect. You can literally learn from our ancestors how to creat architectural concepts.

I wish you a joyful read!

ZJ

[John Weibull · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the better books about architecture that I've read. Easy to read and filled with great examples of architecture, and the history of buildings and people.

[Reiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy read!

[Saiid Abdul Baqi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The content of this book really befits its title. Nothing more to say.

[Fuad Shamali]

Great

[Chrisbaker811 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting if you are interested in architecture.

[Daniel Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

very informative