‘Sturdy advice, delivered with humour and the occasional splinter’ Guardian

‘Gorgeous . . . contains fascinating insights about working with your hands, the nature of talent, and how to create a meaningful life’ A. J. Jacobs, bestselling author of The Puzzler

‘Exquisite, purposeful, absorbing . . . a book with much to teach us all’ Ayad Akhtar, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Homeland Elegies

‘People think I’m a genius because I remember my high school math’

When Mark Ellison left high school, no one thought he would go anywhere. A self-proclaimed ‘serial dropout’, Mark spent his young adult years taking work where he found it. Who would have thought that forty years later he would be regarded as a great carpenter, making a living out of building homes for the rich and famous?

Full of warmth, wisdom and irreverent humour, this is the story of what carpentry can teach us about the satisfaction and joy that comes from doing something well for a long time. From staircases that would be deadly if built as designed to algae-eating snails boiled to escargot in a penthouse pond, Mark exposes the messy wiring behind the pristine walls – and the mindset that any of us can develop to build our own impossible things. Written with refreshing candour, this is an essential book about building life on your own terms, and the possibilities that await when we forge our own path.

Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Architecture in this overview guide to the subject, brilliant for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! The Architecture Book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in.

This captivating book will broaden your understanding of Architecture, with:

– A global scope, covering architecture from all over the world
– Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts
– A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout
– Easy to follow text makes topics accessible for people at any level of understanding

The Architecture Book is a captivating introduction to buildings and the ideas, and principles that make them key to the history and evolution of our built environment – aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview. Here you’ll discover the most important ideas, technologies, and movements in the history of architecture and structural engineering, through exciting text and bold graphics.

Your Architecture Questions, Simply Explained

Learn about the evolution of construction, from ancient and classical architecture through Medieval, Gothic, and Renaissance buildings, Baroque and Rococo, to 19th-century emerging modernism and postmodernism and glittering skyscrapers. If you thought it was difficult to learn about buildings and the ideas behind them, The Architecture Book presents key information in a clear layout. Explore architectural movements, styles and celebrated buildings from all over the world, and stunning religious structures from mosques to churches, stupas to pagodas and temples.

The Big Ideas Series

With millions of copies sold worldwide, The Architecture Book is part of the award-winning Big Ideas series from DK. The series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.

Its exposed position makes it an extreme place – a viewing station for the shifting sea, the passing clouds and the changing seasons. Design writer Dominic Bradbury is your guide to this border landscape both natural and manmade, from shingle beaches to black houses.

Dungeness is a crucible for exciting architecture; the local vernacular includes fishermen’s cottages, lighthouses and ex-industrial structures. This mix has attracted leading architects including Rodic Davidson, Fiona Naylor and Brian Johnson, Simon Conder, Guy Holloway and others to complete projects in the area. The book includes sixteen stunning case studies of homes both converted from non-domestic buildings and exciting new builds.