Invented about 13;000 years ago; mud architecture has since been one of the most common; economical; useful; and widespread forms of building. It has been--and is still being--used for grand palaces and temples as well as simple shops and homes. Research conducted over the last several decades has enabled archaeologists and architects to understand how now-ruined; ancient mud structures were originally built. Gus and Ora Van Beek describe mud-construction techniques from Southwest Asia; the Near East; North Africa; Europe; and the United States; paying specific attention to problems involving foundations; wall and roof construction; cooling and heating; water erosion; and earthquake damage. Glorious Mud! is not only the definitive reference work on one of the worlds most important forms of architecture but also a powerful study of the human past.
#3395622 in eBooks 2013-09-12 2013-09-12File Name: B00F5MSBEK
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A standard for any urbanist library.By wallaceA Very inspiring look at traditional town and urban planning. Anyone interested in designing beautiful places that combine both form AND function - read this book.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Jean-Francois HenryMiles ahead of any of the other vitruvius books0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent; Insightful WorkBy Gary RobertsAn excellent overview of the many movements of the 1900s and earlier that depict how this countrys many metropolises got off the ground and what helped to carry the developmental grids that laid the ground work for urban designers of today.