When I first read this book back in 1991 when I was doing my thesis on courtyard housing I found the descriptions made by Vitruvius on the Roman Domus (courtyard house) invaluable to my understanding.
Over the last 8 years it has been a valuable asset in my Library, full of information on lime plasters for walls, ceilings and floors, the makign of Pozzalana concrete, finding water, understanding the winds and energy patterns of the land and a guide to designing better sustainable buildings.
Topics include -
I -Education of an architect, principles of design, for city, town and home
II The selection of materials - how they are made and used
III - The proportions of the Orders, Doric, Ionic
IV - Applications of the Orders - Temples
V -The design of the Public Buildings - Theatres, Basilicas, Baths, Forums, Harbours, Shipyards
VI - Design of the Courtyard House
VII - Plastering:- technique, materials and application
VIII - Water Locating, storage and transportation - aqueducts
IX- The stars - Suns moon and 12 planets
X - War machines and other instruments
At the current Price, this book is a bargain and you will most likely reread it many times, cause its full of useful information.
If you are involved in Green building, design, like History, want to build a really nice healthy house, then I suggest this is an ideal book for you.
