Reference books for architecture from various time periods?

[StreetBushido]

I'm looking for good reference books for architecture from various time periods. Medieval (early to late), Victorian, and maybe some stuff from around the Industrial Revolution? Perhaps also some references for architecture in the Art Deco style?

Bonus points if these books discuss details like windows, doors and adornments.

And really, what I'm looking for are books full of pretty pictures on these subjects.

Any recommendations?

[dampfpanzerwagon]

There are a few books I would recommend;

A history of Architecture by Sir Banister Fletcher
There are loads of images of this classic book on the internet.

Discovering Timber Framed Buildings by Richard Harris
A great introduction crammed full of interesting illustrations

Architecture of the Russian North
A beautifully illustrated reference work - but rare and in Russian

I also have books on French Regional Architecture.

If you are looking for general information, I find museum guides to be very useful and in most cases free or at least very cheap.

I hope that this helps.

Tony

[StreetBushido]

Thanks! Those look great! I especially like the look of Discovering Timber Framed Buildings by Richard Harris.

[Terwilliger]

Owen Hopkins has a useful book, Reading Architecture, A Visual Lexicon.

[Wirelizard]

The Internet Archive has a books and publications section that is full of scans of architecture books.

Back in 2012 (!) I went looking for books on traditional British architecture and wrote up a blog post that should still be relevant: http://www.warbard.ca/2012/04/19/half-timber-rural-british-architecture/

[Steve F]

A handy and cheap little volume is:

Trevor Yorke "British Architectural Styles: An Easy Reference Guide", Countryside Books, Newbury 2008, ISBN 978 1 84674 082 4

Sample pages below.

[Ramirez Noname]

This has been my go to book for many years, both for work and modelling -

Illustrated Handbook of Vernacular Architecture by R W Brunskill, ISBN 0 571 13916 7
This covers mostly British examples, but also includes a couple of short chapters on British vernacular architectures influence on American architecture.

For construction details (in depth, but full of good line drawn information) is W B McKay's "Building Construction" volumes 1 - 3. My copies from 1947 are very dog eared and worn, but are referred to on a regular basis for "Traditional" building methods.

Following on in the "Discovery" series is

Discovering Cottage Architecture by Christopher Powell, ISBN 0 85263 673 3
(All British buildings) - a cheap book, but with plenty of line drawings and black and white photos.

RMZ

[Ramirez Noname]

Discovering Timber Framed Buildings by Richard Harris
A great introduction crammed full of interesting illustrations

One of the best books ever produced, for the price - again, in regular use in our office.

RMZ

[Terwilliger]

One of the best books ever produced, for the price - again, in regular use in our office.

RMZ

It's sitting four feet to my left at the moment, mildly worn.

I've found Shire Books to be excellent, inexpensive, intensive small references for a remarkable range of historic subjects.