"This book offers quick access to thousands of ideas, terms, and photographs related to the essential elements of architectural design. Comprehensive and easy to use, it combines the best features of a dictionary, photographic guide, and textbook - making information simple to find. It lets you search visually (through the photographs), alphabetically (by index), or by general subject (through chapter headings). Throughout, chapters are arranged to cover different aspects of architectural design, establishing a solid framework that puts information into a physical, historical, and conceptual context."--BOOK JACKET.