Big House Little City

Big House Little City
Author: Benedict Zucchi
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 321
Release: 2023-09-08
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1000912418

***Shortlisted for the Architectural Book Awards 2024*** Combining architectural and urban thinking in an unusual and engaging way, this book presents an integrated approach to architectural theory and design. Leon Battista Alberti’s assertion in his famous Renaissance treatise that ‘the city is like a big house, and the house is in turn like a little city’ forms the springboard for a series of reflections on architecture’s relationship with urbanism and how their once intimate symbiosis, unravelled by International Style Modernism, can be recovered. Explicit references to Alberti’s house-city phrase have been made by figures as diverse as the architects Louis Kahn, Aldo Van Eyck, Denys Lasdun and Niels Torp and novelist Italo Calvino. But, as the book shows, thinking of buildings as little cities provides a new lens through which to reappraise the contributions of many other architects, including Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Alvar Aalto, Eliel Saarinen, Bernard Rudofsky, Hans Scharoun, Leon Krier, Fumihiko Maki, Charles Correa and Team 10. In doing so, the author identifies common themes that form an unexpected bridgehead between the urban and architectural approaches of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, Renaissance and 20th century. The book explores buildings from across the globe, including lesser-known projects, such as Wright’s unbuilt house in Italy or Saarinen’s master plan for Cranbrook Academy, as well as more recent projects by Niels Torp, Behnisch Architekten, Sou Fujimoto, Peter Barber and WOHA. It concludes with practical case studies of residential, health, education and workplace projects from different countries, fulsomely illustrated with many drawings and photographs. These show how architectural design viewed through an urban lens provides a conceptual framework for breaking down the scale of large buildings and integrating them with their context. And crucially, these also show a very accessible way of explaining evolving designs to the intended users and eliciting their participation in the design process. The book offers a compelling approach to the design of projects at all scales, within an ecological perspective: the sense that big and small, cities and buildings must be approached holistically if we are to reverse the degradation and depletion of our habitat, both natural and man-made.

Big House Little City

Big House Little City
Author: Benedict Zucchi
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2023-08
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 9781032259734

Combining architectural and urban thinking in an unusual and engaging way, this book presents an integrated approach to architectural theory and design. Leon Battista Alberti's assertion in his famous Renaissance treatise that 'the city is like a big house, and the house is in turn like a little city' forms the springboard for a series of reflections on architecture's relationship with urbanism and how their once intimate symbiosis, unravelled by International Style Modernism, can be recovered. Explicit references to Alberti's house-city phrase have been made by figures as diverse as the architects Louis Kahn, Aldo Van Eyck, Denys Lasdun and Niels Torp and novelist Italo Calvino. But, as the book shows, thinking of buildings as little cities provides a new lens through which to reappraise the contributions of many other architects, including Le Corbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Alvar Aalto, Eliel Saarinen, Bernard Rudofsky, Hans Scharoun, Leon Krier, Fumihiko Maki, Charles Correa and Team 10. In doing so, the author identifies common themes that form an unexpected bridgehead between the urban and architectural approaches of Antiquity, the Middle Ages, Renaissance and 20th century. The book explores buildings from across the globe, including lesser-known projects, such as Wright's unbuilt house in Italy or Saarinen's master plan for Cranbrook Academy, as well as more recent projects by Niels Torp, Behnisch Architekten, Sou Fujimoto, Peter Barber and WOHA. It concludes with practical case studies of residential, health, education and workplace projects from different countries, fulsomely illustrated with many drawings and photographs. These show how architectural design viewed through an urban lens provides a conceptual framework for breaking down the scale of large buildings and integrating them with their context. And crucially, these also show a very accessible way of explaining evolving designs to the intended users and eliciting their participation in the design process. The book offers a compelling approach to the design of projects at all scales, within an ecological perspective: the sense that big and small, cities and buildings must be approached holistically if we are to reverse the degradation and depletion of our habitat, both natural and man-made.

Little City by the Lake

Little City by the Lake
Author: Celia Wilkins
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2003-04
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 9780756934644

Fifteen-year-old Caroline Quiner, who will become the mother of Laura Ingalls Wilder, moves to Milwaukee in 1855 to experience city life and attend school.

Roberto

Roberto
Author: Nina Laden
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Total Pages: 39
Release: 2013-04-09
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1452126828

Ever since he was a wee mite (a termite, that is), Roberto has wanted to be an architect. Discouraged by his wood-eating family and friends, he decides to follow his dream to the big, bug city. There he meets a slew of not-so-creepy, crawly characters who spark in him the courage to build a community for them all. With stunning collage illustrations and witty text, the creator of the bestselling The Night I Followed the Dog, Private I. Guana, and When Pigasso Met Mootisse brings to life a funny and inspirational story that will encourage readers of any age to build their dreams.

BIG little house

BIG little house
Author: Donna Kacmar
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 245
Release: 2015-01-09
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1317688953

What are the challenges architects face when designing dwelling spaces of a limited size? And what can these projects tell us about architecture – and architectural principles – in general? In BIG little house, award-winning architect Donna Kacmar introduces twenty real-life examples of small houses. Each project is under 1,000 square feet (100 square meters) in size and, brought together, the designs reveal an attitude towards materiality, light, enclosure and accommodation which is unique to minimal dwellings. While part of a trend to address growing concerns about minimising consumption and lack of affordable housing, the book demonstrates that small dwellings are not always simply the result of budget constraints but constitute a deliberate design strategy in their own right. Highly illustrated and in full-colour throughout, each example is based on interviews with the original architect and accompanied by detailed floor plans. This ground-breaking, beautifully designed text offers practical guidance to any professional architect or homeowner interested in small scale projects.

Little Kids, Big City

Little Kids, Big City
Author: Alex McCord
Publisher: Sterling & Ross Publishers
Total Pages: 259
Release: 2010
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0982139225

Stars of Bravo TV’s The Real Housewives of New York City, Alex McCord and Simon van Kempen, have a hit show and a great book, Little Kids, Big City, a lighthearted and critically acclaimed he-said, she-said rant, about their experiences raising their two young children in the Big Apple. More of a Momoir (and Dadoir) covering the last 10 years of their lives, Alex & Simon write with a unique and humorous insight into the challenges facing parents today. They use their own hard-won experience as a springboard to discuss life before children and their determination not to have any, followed by their journey and eventual change of heart and the rollercoaster ride of having two children in two years in a seemingly non-child-friendly environment. Rather than a preachy, how-to guide, Simon & Alex take the reader on a romp through the indignities and surprises that befell them. Their informative and often hair-raising stories of life in the concrete jungle make Little Kids, Big City a must-read for anyone who has ever had children, hated children or thought they might want to have them someday, as well as for any fan of their hit show.

Big House on the Prairie

Big House on the Prairie
Author: John M. Eason
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 251
Release: 2017-03-06
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 022641034X

Now more than ever, we need to understand the social, political, and economic shifts that have driven the United States to triple its prison construction in just over three decades. John Eason goes a very considerable distance here in fulfilling this need, not by detailing the aftereffects of building huge numbers of prisons, but by vividly showing the process by which a community seeks to get a prison built in their area. What prompted him to embark on this inquiry was the insistent question of why the rapid expansion of prisons in America, why now, and why so many. He quickly learned that the prison boom is best understood from the perspective of the rural, southern towns where they tend to be placed (North Carolina has twice as many prisons as New Jersey, though both states have the same number of prisoners). And so he sets up shop, as it were, in Forrest City, Arkansas, where he moved with his family to begin the splendid fieldwork that led to this book. A major part of his story deals with the emergence of the rural ghetto, abetted by white flight, de-industrialization, the emergence of public housing, and higher proportions of blacks and Latinos. How did Forrest City become a site for its prison? Eason takes us behind the decision-making scenes, tracking the impact of stigma (a prison in my backyard-not a likely desideratum), economic development, poverty, and race, while showing power-sharing among opposed groups of elite whites vs. black race leaders. Eason situates the prison within the dynamic shifts rural economies are undergoing, and shows how racially diverse communities can achieve the siting and building of prisons in their rural ghetto. The result is a full understanding of the ways in which a prison economy takes shape and operates."

Sunshine Sketches of A Little Town

Sunshine Sketches of A Little Town
Author: Stephen Leacock
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2021-01-01
Genre: Fiction
ISBN:

Enter the charming world of small-town life with Stephen Leacock's beloved classic, "Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town," a delightful collection of humorous vignettes that capture the quirks, eccentricities, and warmth of small-town Ontario. Join Leacock as he introduces readers to the colorful residents of Mariposa, a fictional town that feels like home to anyone who has ever lived in a close-knit community. Through a series of witty and affectionate sketches, Leacock paints a vivid portrait of life in Mariposa, from the bustling main street to the tranquil shores of Lake Wissanotti. Themes of community, friendship, and the passage of time permeate the pages of "Sunshine Sketches," inviting readers to revel in the joys and absurdities of everyday life. Leacock's sharp wit and keen observations of human nature make for a delightful and heartwarming read that will leave you smiling from ear to ear. Through memorable characters like the lovable blowhard Josh Smith, the indomitable schoolteacher Miss Lawson, and the perpetually optimistic Peter Pupkin, Leacock captures the essence of small-town life with warmth and humor. From the town gossip to the local politician, each character is a vivid and unforgettable presence in the bustling community of Mariposa. The overall tone and mood of "Sunshine Sketches" are imbued with a sense of nostalgia, nostalgia, and gentle humor, as Leacock invites readers to reminisce about simpler times and cherished memories. From the uproarious antics of the town council to the quiet moments of reflection by the lake, Leacock's narrative is as heartwarming as it is hilarious. Since its publication, "Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town" has been hailed as a classic work of Canadian literature that continues to captivate readers with its timeless charm and wit. Critics and readers alike praise its enduring appeal and its ability to evoke the spirit of small-town life with humor and affection. Whether you're a fan of humor, nostalgia, or simply a lover of great storytelling, "Sunshine Sketches" promises to delight and entertain. Join Stephen Leacock on a journey through the streets of Mariposa and discover the joy of small-town living. Don't miss your chance to experience the warmth and humor of "Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town." Order your copy today and immerse yourself in the delightful world of Stephen Leacock's beloved classic.

The Image of the City

The Image of the City
Author: Kevin Lynch
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 212
Release: 1964-06-15
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 9780262620017

The classic work on the evaluation of city form. What does the city's form actually mean to the people who live there? What can the city planner do to make the city's image more vivid and memorable to the city dweller? To answer these questions, Mr. Lynch, supported by studies of Los Angeles, Boston, and Jersey City, formulates a new criterion—imageability—and shows its potential value as a guide for the building and rebuilding of cities. The wide scope of this study leads to an original and vital method for the evaluation of city form. The architect, the planner, and certainly the city dweller will all want to read this book.

Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn

Big House, Little House, Back House, Barn
Author: Thomas C. Hubka
Publisher: UPNE
Total Pages: 244
Release: 2004
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 9781584653721

The twentieth anniversary edition of the classic architectural study of the development of the connected farm buildings made by 19th-century New Englanders, which offers insight into the people who made them.