building story

A hand-painted history of global architecture: the Pulitzer Prize-winning author tells you about the past and present of architecture;

The master of section diagram illustrates 16 handed down buildings.

◎ Editor's Choice

☆ Jointly created by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author and the master of section drawing

The author of the book, Patrick Dillon, is a British architect and historian who won the Pulitzer Prize. Illustrator Stephen Bisty is a well-known British hand-painted illustrator, an internationally renowned master of section drawings, and DK Queen's illustrator.

☆ Overlooking the 3000-year-old building, understand the other side of the majestic history of mankind

The story of architecture traces back 3,000 years of human architecture, from the beginning of primitive people living in caves to avoid wild beast attacks, to the end of 21st century British architects building grass-brick houses in order to live in harmony with nature, forming a perfect closed loop, implying that architecture The destiny that accompanies history and human history.

The 16 handed down buildings such as the Pyramid, Parthenon, Pantheon, Notre Dame, and Crystal Palace are like stars shining in the Milky Way of classical architecture, Renaissance architecture, Gothic, Baroque, Bauhaus and other architectural styles. The unusual stories behind each handed down building once again draw readers into the turbulent era, overlooking the evolution of architectural schools and the changes of the times.

☆ The wide-format full-color section diagram illustrates the building, and uses the language of the building to understand the building

16 handed down buildings, 16 full-color wide section drawings, 16 in-depth architectural textures, and 16 full-time private tours. The architectural section drawn in equal proportions clearly shows the architectural structure, and the carefully inserted illustrations decipher the architectural language, allowing readers to experience the genius inspiration of the builder personally.

Architecture is the solidified note of the times. Master the language of architecture to understand the world we live in.

☆ Thread the needle from a macro perspective, presenting amazing details about architecture and architectural history

The book contains both majestic macro narratives: the turbulent era background, the spiral evolution of architectural schools, the past and present of 16 handed down buildings, the influence of the Renaissance, aesthetic revolution and industrial revolution on architecture, as well as micro details lay out. Technological progress: bricklaying methods, Roman era air-conditioning and floor heating, sewer systems, arch coupons, concrete, elevators, reticulated shell structures, etc. Key figures influencing architectural schools: Imhotep, Bishop Morris, Andrea Palladio, etc., several cultural change movements with great influence, etc., all these details will lead readers into the familiar and unfamiliar world of architecture.

☆ Human beings create architecture, and architecture also changes human beings

Every building entrusts the dreams and hopes of its builders. Human beings are not only the creators of architecture, but also changed by architecture. Once a building is constructed, it has its own destiny. They have inherited the joys, sorrows, joys and sorrows of human beings, and witnessed the ups and downs of history, and the success of emperors and generals. Understand the story of architecture, understand where we humans came from and where we will go.

◎ Introduction

From straw huts to skyscrapers, palaces to arts centers, The Story of Architecture takes us on a journey across decades of architecture across continents and centuries. Patrick Dillon has selected 16 of the world's most iconic buildings, including the Parthenon, Notre Dame, Taj Mahal, Forbidden City, Bauhaus, Crystal Palace, Sydney Opera House and Penguin The Pidou Center and more, and tell the extraordinary stories behind each building.

Stephen Biesty's meticulous micro-section drawings allow us to see these incredible structures and appreciate the genius of their creators. Structure names and architectural terminology are also explained in detail in legends and pull-out pages, and an index and timeline of architectural memorabilia are included at the end of the book.

This is a history of architecture with a truly global perspective, exhibiting classic buildings from North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

◎ Media evaluation

The book contains clear explanations of basic architectural concepts, such as arches, arches, domes, reinforced concrete, etc., as well as abstract principles such as symmetry, geometry, and architectural patterns. Stephen Bisty's well-drawn and clearly illustrated section diagrams divide each chapter. The section diagram gives readers a kaleidoscopic but tightly integrated visual dimension, and provides readers with translation interpretations of famous buildings. ——School Library Journal star rating

The highlight moments of 16 handed down buildings in the world... Stephen Bisty used colored pencils to draw more delicate lines and rich details. Readers can even count the exact number of steps in the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City, if they wish. Each section drawing has a detailed legend explanation that does not destroy the composition at all... The text part tells the story of the construction process of the building, bringing the reader back to those distant times. Fascinating section charts and clear chapter divisions allow readers to start at whichever section they like. An index and timeline of architectural memorabilia are also included at the end of the book. — Star Rating, The Horn Book

Perfect for aspiring architects, this introductory introduction to world architecture includes Bisty's arresting cutaway drawings. —The Globe and Mail

This large-format, beautiful, and informative book presents important buildings from ancient times to modern times with historical anecdotes and exquisite section drawings. Section drawing master Stephen Bisty's colored pencil drawings provide the reader with a good sense of scale, perfectly recreating the grandeur of the building on paper. Interior and architectural details are also seen through his signature cutaway drawings. ——Booklist

The most classic buildings are never just the sum of rough architectural structures, they meet the practical needs of the builders, and they also carry the builders' imaginations and dreams. Stephen Bisty has captured the elusive character of these buildings with precision, recreating the splendor of these heritage buildings with exquisite illustrations. On carefully drawn pages, readers ages 10-16 (and their parents) can explore famous buildings along a timeline from ancient times to modern times. This book is an extremely readable ode to the architecture that accompanies human history. —The Wall Street Journal