$36.46

Usually dispatched within 3 to 4 days.

Ships from and sold by Book Depository UK.

Other Sellers on Amazon

$34.04
+ $5.63 delivery

Sold by: SuperBookDealsAU

$42.99
And FREE delivery on eligible orders. See details and conditions

Sold by: Amazon AU

Flip to back Flip to front

Listen Playing... Paused You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more

See all 3 images

Follow the Authors

John Summerson

John Newenham Summerson

The Classical Language of Architecture Paperback – 15 December 1966

by John Summeron (Author)

63 ratings

See all formats and editions Hide other formats and editions

Amazon Price

New from

Used from

Paperback

"Please retry"

$19.99

$16.66

—

Paperback, 15 December 1966

$36.46

$34.04

—

Paperback
$36.46

21 New from $34.04

FREE delivery: 23 - 29 March

The author's purpose is to set out as simply and vividly as possible the exact grammatical workings of an architectural language.Classical architecture is a visual "language" and like any other language has its own grammatical rules. Classical buildings as widely spaced in time as a Roman temple, an Italian Renaissance palace and a Regency house all show an awareness of these rules even if they vary them, break them or poetically contradict them. Sir Christopher Wren described them as the "Latin" of architecture and the analogy is almost exact. There is the difference, however, that whereas the learning of Latin is a slow and difficult business, the language of classical architecture is relatively simple. It is still, to a great extent, the mode of expression of our urban surroundings, since classical architecture was the common language of the western world till comparatively recent times. Anybody to whom architecture makes a strong appeal has probably already discovered something of its grammar for himself.
In this book, the author's purpose is to set out as simply and vividly as possible the exact grammatical workings of this architectural language. He is less concerned with its development in Greece and Rome than with its expansion and use in the centuries since the Renaissance. He explains the vigorous discipline of "the orders" and the scope of "rustication"; the dramatic deviations of the Baroque and, in the last chapter, the relationship between the classical tradition and the "modern" architecture of today. The book is intended for anybody who cares for architecture but more specifically for students beginning a course in the history of architecture, to whom a guide to the classical rules will be an essential companion.

Special offers and product promotions

Buy this item and get 90 days Free Amazon Music Unlimited. After purchase you will receive an email with further information. Offer valid for a limited time only. Terms and Conditions apply.” Learn more here.

Frequently bought together

Total Price: $296.24

These items are shipped from and sold by different sellers. Show details

Buy the selected items together

This item:The Classical Language of Architecture by John Summeron Paperback $36.46
Ships from and sold by Book Depository UK.
Construction Drawings and Details for Interiors by Rosemary Kilmer Paperback $85.62
Only 1 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon AU.
FREE Delivery
Color for Interior Design by Rompilla Ethel Hardcover $174.16
Ships from and sold by ErgodeBooks Ships From USA..

Customers who bought this item also bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

Francis D. K. Ching
493
Paperback
$58.42
Rosemary Kilmer
127
Paperback
$85.62
Marianne Cusato
322
Paperback
16 offers from $34.99
Virginia Savage McAlester
631
Paperback
4 offers from $176.92
Hugh Honour
52
Paperback
7 offers from $29.53
Ellen S. Fisher
384
Hardcover
15 offers from $84.09

Product details

Publisher : MIT Press Academic; 1st edition (15 December 1966)
Language : English
Paperback : 80 pages
ISBN-10 : 0262690128
ISBN-13 : 978-0262690126
Dimensions : 18.42 x 0.56 x 22.71 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 587,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 1,724 in Architectural History
- 678,193 in Textbooks & Study Guides

Customer Reviews:
63 ratings

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1

Customer reviews

5 star		61%
4 star		21%
3 star		12%
2 star		2%
1 star		4%

How are ratings calculated?

Review this product

Write a customer review

Top review from Australia

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Simon Boundy

great book, big fan.

Reviewed in Australia on 1 June 2014

This is less an encyclopaedic study, more a casual discussion using very accessible language.

To that end it is very good.

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

A. Newton

Summerson had a great gift for explaining difficult things in plain English

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 February 2015

Verified Purchase

I found this the most helpful architecture book of all, admittedly coming from a standing start as a general reader rather than a student. It assumes no knowledge and is very well written and set out. Summerson had a great gift for explaining difficult things in plain English. You will get more out of walking down most city streets after reading this book because it will help make sense of many buildings, ancient and modern. I can't recommend it highly enough if you take any interest in architecture.

5 people found this helpful

Doug

A Classic itself

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2012

Verified Purchase

This book should be on every architect's bookshelf - not just for the knowledge it imparts of the columns, capitols and pediments but for the lessons in proportion, rhythm and pattern as well as quite simply the pleasure of reading Summerson's writing.

11 people found this helpful

delia

Recomended

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 April 2019

Verified Purchase

quick delivery and nice book

One person found this helpful

Doc Savage

Great book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 July 2019

Verified Purchase

still a classic..

Amazon Customer

Great

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 August 2019

Verified Purchase

Delivery as stated, no problems.

See all reviews

Other Sellers on Amazon

Follow the Authors

Similar authors to follow

Similar authors to follow

The Classical Language of Architecture Paperback – 15 December 1966

Special offers and product promotions

Frequently bought together

Customers who bought this item also bought

Product details

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Customer reviews

Review this product

Top review from Australia

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Top reviews from other countries