The books in this section are usually hardcover and in decent condition, though we'll sometimes offer hard-to-find books in lesser condition at a reduced price. Though we often put images of the book with their original dust jackets, the copies here won't always (or even often) have them. If that is important to you, please call ahead or say so in the order comments!
Introduction
Almost everywhere we go there are buildings. We live, work, play, and pray in buildings. Some are simple; others are complicated or highly decorated structures. Some are very old; others are modern and new. The kind of building is determined by the place and the people who build it. It depends on what is needed and wanted, what materials are available to use.
Most living creatures know how to build. Insects, animals, and birds build nests, burrows or shelters for homes. But architecture is more than just an ability to build. Man alone has developed his building as an art. Like music, painting or sculpture, architecture is a creative process involving both skill and a love of beauty.
Man's first efforts to build were simple, but as civilization progressed. so did architecture. Over the centuries, styles of architecture and ways of building developed many variations and refinements in form and decoration. Building methods also changed, yet basic ideas first devised thousands of years ago are still used in modern construction. Influenced by climate, natural resources, religion, and the ways of living of different peoples, those primitive beginnings grew into the styles we know today.
Did you find this review helpful?