Practice of Architecture and the Builder's Guide: Two Pattern Books of American Classical Architecture

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 published, they were remarkably popular, and were among the most influential of all Greek Revival handbooks. Throughout the American South, Midwest, and New England, one still comes across houses built in the 1830s, 1840s, and 1850s patterned directly after Benjamin's designs.The two books incorporated here, Practice of Architecture (1833) and The Builders Guide (1839), are his most accomplished Grecian pattern books. With the growing number of contemporary architects who are designing buildings based on the forms on nineteenth century Grecian architecture, Benjamin's books should prove an invaluable resource for all lovers of the Greek Revival - builders, owners, preservationists, historians, and architects alike. Thomas Gordon Smith is chairman of the school of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame. His books include Classical Architecture: Rule and Invention and a newly illustrated edition of Vitruvius's Ten Books on Architecture/

• 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.