The Architect's Studio Companion: Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design

Only wish I had this a long time ago. Very useful. Highly recommend this book.

I've had this book for years and its incredibly helpful in my architectural studio class. So useful in fact that my friends and classmates are borrowing it all the time. It can be a bit fundamental at times which is good and bad. Good in the fact that you can access the information you need right away. Bad in the fact that if you need more detailed or condition specific information you'll have to look elsewhere.

This book offers a great way for architecture students to get a handle on some of the issues related to building design. It deals with basic issues of construction including structural systems, mechanical systems, and code considerations. It gives "rules of thumb" and basic descriptions which are great for preliminary design. For example, if you need to roughly size a truss or floor system during schematic design, go the appropriate section for the system you are using, and you'll find handy charts for basic sizing. This is a great book for students who need rough "guestimates" for studio projects.

Having this book is like having a half-dozen of the best engineering consultants at your elbow-ready to answer any question that may come up during design. It reduces all the complex technical issues in building design to simple formal elements of know size that are easily merged into the architectural design process. A must-have for professionals and students alike!

As an Architecture Student this book has come in very hand. It gives many details of design guidelines and is a wonderful resource book to own.