About the Author

Dr. Carol Davidson Cragoe is a graduate of Smith College and holds a Master’s in art history from New York University. She was Architectural Editor for the Victoria County History series and more recently for English Heritage.

Looking at architecture and the elements that are included in buildings, from cornices and friezes to columns and porticos, this book is a practical primer to various facets of buildings. Each chapter takes an architectural element and looks at its variety across various historical periods and geographical locations.

This book is a practical primer to looking at architecture and all the elements that are included in buildings, from cornices and friezes to columns and porticos - all facets of buildings are included. Each chapter takes an architectural element and looks at its variety across various historical periods and geographical locations. Examples are shown through dozens of fine engravings with extended captions, creating a dip-in read and an effective I-Spy guide. Additional sections look at the clues offerred by history, geography and religion(with a timeline showing how and where architectural elements have been introduced), and at the significance of the ornaments.

Book Description

This practical primer is a handbook for decoding a building’s style, history, and evolution. Every building contains clues embedded in its design that identify not only its architectural style but also the story of who designed it, who it was built for, and why. Organized by architectural element (roofs, doors, windows, columns, domes, towers, arches, etc.), the book is roughly chronological within each section, examining the elements across history, through different architectural styles, and by geographical distribution. Additional chapters offer overviews of how architecture has been affected by geography, history, and religion, along with an illustrated timeline of architectural elements. Also included is a chapter on applied ornament and a handy introduction to naming each part of a building. All entries are accompanied by examples in the forms of period engravings, line drawings, and pictures. The extended captions make the book invaluable for anyone who has ever pondered the meaning or importance of a hipped roof, rounded doorway, or classical pediment.