Practice of Architecture: The Builder's Guide

by Asher Benjamin

Asher Benjamin (1773-1845) published the first American builder's guide, and his architectural books played an invaluable role in disseminating the new language of the Greek Revival. When originally... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306805723
• ISBN13: 9780306805721
• Release Date: March 1994
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 116 Pages
• Weight: 3.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 8.5" x 10.5"

Customer Reviews

for the serious architectural historian

For one researching, restoring, repairing houses (and public buildings) built from 1800 to about 1870, this is a treasure. Asher Benjamin's illustrations were copied verbatim or served as inspiration to carpenters, especially in the northeastern US. Benjamin's text is full of his own opinions, practical considerations and fun: in one place he suggests we remember to place columns far enough apart that plump people won't get stuck between them! One should probably own his 1st(1798),6th (1827), or 1830 books (widely available in paper back and cheaper) before buying these later (1833 and 1845) pattern books. But if your house and community were built before the Civil War, you may find your ancesters copied Asher Benjamin.

Excellent presentation of a historical curiousity.

..., this book is not intended to be a current architectural resource.It is a presentation, for research purposes, of two books that at one time served as the 'conceptual' blueprint of house building in the cities of America.The introduction is clear and to the point, and the layout of the books well-handled.I recommed this book to anyone interested in the history of architecture in America; I cannot recommed it as a practical builder's guide.