Discovering Cottage Architecture

Rating:
Summary: Discovering Cottage Architecture - great resource
Review: I have always had an interest in vernacular cottage architecture and the processes that shape it. While I am not a professional architect or construction contractor, I find that most books dealing with cottage architecture focus either on interior decorating in the "country style" or whimsical meanderings of "simpler times." There isn't much written (yet) about HOW these buildings came into being, who built them, and how they did it. This little book certainly makes an attempt to fill the void, and does a marvelous job (although it could have gone a bit further). The book looks at cottage building (in England) from it's earliest forms right through to the early modern period. It covers social aspects that influenced cottage construction, and gives detailed drawings and diagrams showing how cottages were planned and executed. Very clear, very succinct, VERY INTERESTING. It lost a star (only rating 4 stars) only because it's painfully SMALL -- literally a POCKET book on a subject that really needs to be covered with the kind of detail the book attempts (in it's limited space). Still, a refreshing read, and very educational/informative, especially to anyone interested in the more "nuts 'n bolts" aspects of when/where/why/HOW of cottage construction. A+

Rating:
Summary: Discovering Cottage Architecture - great resource
Review: I have always had an interest in vernacular cottage architecture and the processes that shape it. While I am not a professional architect or construction contractor, I find that most books dealing with cottage architecture focus either on interior decorating in the "country style" or whimsical meanderings of "simpler times." There isn't much written (yet) about HOW these buildings came into being, who built them, and how they did it. This little book certainly makes an attempt to fill the void, and does a marvelous job (although it could have gone a bit further). The book looks at cottage building (in England) from it's earliest forms right through to the early modern period. It covers social aspects that influenced cottage construction, and gives detailed drawings and diagrams showing how cottages were planned and executed. Very clear, very succinct, VERY INTERESTING. It lost a star (only rating 4 stars) only because it's painfully SMALL -- literally a POCKET book on a subject that really needs to be covered with the kind of detail the book attempts (in it's limited space). Still, a refreshing read, and very educational/informative, especially to anyone interested in the more "nuts 'n bolts" aspects of when/where/why/HOW of cottage construction. A+