Architect's Illustrated Pocket Dictionary

This pocket-sized dictionary offers huge coverage for the 40,000 plus people studying or working in architecture, construction or any of the built environment fields. From Abaciscus to Zophorus, the reader is able to quickly track down precisely the term they are looking for. It is illustrated with stunning drawings that provide a visual as well as a textual definition of both key concepts and subtle differences in meaning.
Compact and affordable; Davies and Jokiniemi's work is the miniature version of the Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction. The Architect?s Illustrated Pocket Dictionary can be used on site or quickly at the desk and is suitable for all those interested in the buildings that surround us.

"Architect's Illustrated Pocket Dictionary is an essential tool for architects and builders practicing across a language barrier, but it is equally indispensable for anyone teaching architecture or writing about it. In addition to its role as a working instrument, the book is a suggestive presentation of the concepts, elements, materials, processes and tools of construction. The well researched explanations are equally useful for an experienced professional and a beginning student. It even reads as a concise and condensed history of construction, the dictionary contains words and images of today's architectural practise as well as notions of the deep history of building. The clear and graphically pleasing illustrations deserve a special acknowledgement."

Juhani Pallasmaa, Architect SAFA, Hon. FAIA, Int FRIBA, Professor of Architecture Emeritus, Helsinki

"The Architect's Illustrated Pocket Dictionary is an amazing tool for any kind of architect. Not only designed for native English speakers, this dictionary is a good tool for anyone who practices architecture in english. Even if nowadays, it is easy to find translations and definitions over the Internet those ones are never trustable, neither specific about architecture. This dictionary allows for a double check of a word's meaning, offering proper definitions of systems, components and materials. The entries are precise and concise, with excellent navigation within the book thanks to the grey areas. When a word is general (like 'adhesive' or 'metal') it is framed in a grey area which then guides the reader towards specific aspects of the topic ('types included as separate entries'). This feature is excellent to improve architecture knowledge, as well as English words! In addition many illustrations bring the necessary visual information because architecture is drawn more often that written (and the architect works with a visual mind). I personally studied and now work abroad i