Heino Engel Books

A remarkable classic work on traditional Japanese architecture, and how the style and features can serve as a model for contemporary residential buildings.With incredible detail (as well as numerous architectural plans and drawings), author and architect Heino Engel describes everything from room functions and the flexibility of partitions to the influence of human anatomy on Japanese units of measure. Rather than exploring why the traditional Japanese house is built the way it is, Engel delves into the practical what the Japanese house is and how it is built.This book is not simply a description of the features of the Japanese house, but "an invitation to probe the possibilities of utilizing this architectural achievement of the Japanese…in modern living and building," according to the author, who further believes that the unique details of the Japanese house are better suited as a pattern for contemporary housing than any other form of residential structure.With a new foreword by architect and professor Mira Locher, Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, this updated hardcover edition brings this popular work to modern readers—in hopes that they may find ideas to adopt into their own home.

Back in print--the standard work on Heino Engel's structure systems. The hundreds of drawings and photographs reproduced in this hardback volume offer almost endless variations on the many structural systems that can keep buildings within a few pages of one another, tents, domes and cubes are shown supported by poles, cables, ribs, rafters and beams. Engel's presentation and explanation of this highly complex material differs fundamentally from others' work on the subject in that he focuses entirely upon the functions and design effects of these mechanisms, without regard for technical More than an engineering text, this is a catalogue of ideas and forms for architects and dreamers, a David Macaulay book for adults. Structure Systems skips over more commonly treated special designs and completed buildings for typical, representative and surprising shapes. As a reference work or daydream material, it is an indispensable repertoire of forms.