A beautifully packaged, idiosyncratic introduction to British building
styles, by the acclaimed illustrator and architectural enthusiast
Matthew Rice.
The Language of Buildings covers the grammar and vocabulary of British
buildings, explaining the evolution of styles from Norman castles to
Norman Foster. Its aim is to enable the reader to recognize, understand
and date any British building.
As Matthew Rice says, "Once you can speak any language, conversation can
begin, but without it communications can only be brief and brutish. The
same is the case with Architecture: an inability to describe the
component parts of a building leaves one tongue-tied and unable to begin
to discuss what is or is not exciting, dull or peculiar about it." The
Language of Buildings will explain the language of architecture. With
it in your hand, buildings will break down beguilingly into their
component parts, ready for inspection and discussion. There will be no
more references to that curly bit on top of the thing with the square
protrusions. Ungainly and inept descriptions will be a thing of the past
and, fluent in the world of volutes, hood moulds, lobed architraves and
bucrania, you will be able to leave a cathedral or country house with as
much to talk about as a film or play.
The Language of Buildings starts with an explanation of the basic
"Grammar" of buildings: elevation, plan, roof, gable and eave. This will
enable the reader to better make use of what is to follow. It will also
cover the Orders of Architecture--Doric, Tuscan, Ionic, Corinthian and
Composite--so that the vital basics of Classicism are covered. Following
this is the "Vocabulary." This will be a chronological reference section
covering, period by period, the windows, doors and doorcases, columns,
chimneys, arches, balustrades and pediments that make up the built
environment.
