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Why this shape and not that? Why steel instead of concrete or stone? Why put it here and not over there? These are the kinds of questions that David Macaulay asks himself when he observes an architectural wonder. These questions take him back to the basic process of design from which all structures begin, from the realization of a need for the structure to the struggles of the engineers and designers to map out and create the final construction.As only he can, David Macaulay engages readers’ imaginations and gets them thinking about structures they see and use every day — bridges, tunnels, skyscrapers, domes, and dams. In Building Big he focuses on the connections between the planning and design problems and the solutions that are finally reached. Whether a structure is imposing or inspiring, he shows us that common sense and logic play just as important a part in architecture as imagination and technology do. As always, Macaulay inspires readers of all ages to look at their world in a new way.
Lexile Measure: 1260L (What's this?)
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (October 24, 2000)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0395963311
ISBN-13: 978-0395963319
Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.5 x 0.8 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #218,248 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #62 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Music & Photography > Architecture #196 in Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Urban & Land Use Planning #327 in Books > Arts & Photography > Architecture > Drafting & Presentation
Grade Level: 5 - 7
Once again, David Macaulay provides artistry and specialized knowledge in a medium that readers of all ages can appreciate. He explains complicated architectural structures with striking clarity, and his illustrations perfectly complement his engaging narrative tone. Macaulay joins fact and story beautifully -- rather than "lobotomized Sendak," I see conversational Da Vinci.
David Macaulay takes the reader on a tour of some of the really big civil engineering structures of our time. Building Big has sections on Bridges, Tunnels, Dams, Domes, and Skyscrapers. Each part of the book describes the design and construction of from four to ten outstanding examples of the structure highlighted. The examples in each category are described in chronological order with some going back to the time of ancient Rome. The drawings that accompany the text are excellent at focusing on the details and techniques described. The integration of text and graphics is wonderful. In each case, Macaulay describes the design objectives, the interplay between the structure and the environment, and the engineering solutions used to bring the structures into being. This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in structural engineering and design. I have not seen the related PBS video series, but I can say that the book stands on its own very well. Highly recommended.
I bought this book for my 6 year old son who is an avid builder. I knew that the text would be above his head, so I read the book before giving it to him so I could summarize the paragraphs for him. He asks to look at this book every night and loves it. This is not a picture book as it has a lot of text, but the pictures are well done, and he has gained some basic building concepts that he uses with his Legos and blocks. He likes to look at the book about how they build a structure (he is really fascinated by the Hoover dam and Petronas Towers) and they we look online at the completed pictures. It's a great book for older children (or if you want to take the time with a younger child to explain it) and I recommend it.
At the recommendation of a family member, I looked into David Macaulay and bought this book, along with "Underground," for my 5-year old son. Yes, the comprehension level doesn't quite match, and in this day and age, the drawings and printing are just a tad to the "crude" side, but it doesn't matter -- our son is taken by these books. He's opened them and studied a single pages for minutes, then comes to us with all sorts of remarkable questions.For children of this age, these don't make great bedtime reading, but there's no question they engage an active and curious brain, and you may even find yourself attempting to replicate the Golden Gate Bridge out of Legos and string before the night is over!
Macaulay fans are going to be amazed and impressed by this, his best book yet. It's a companion to the PBS series that's better than the films! A must see and better yet, must buy.
I'm a civil/structural engineer and as an adult, this book was a fun read as well as visually appealing. I would have LOVED this as a kid. I also feel like if kids were to really get into this book as a child it may help them later in life, when and if they become engineers, to better understand and feel what is going on regarding forces and etc in an instinctual manner (which isn't as common as you'd think in the field of engineering but such a valuable skill). I thought it was really cool how it showed how forces are transferred along a load path from the point of load application to where the load is carried (like the foundation, etc). If your kid(s) is/are even remotely interesting in building with things (legos k'nex, blocks, whatever), ancient structures (romans, pyramids, etc), or you want to push them towards STEM activities...definitely get this book. Even if they aren't that interested, the visuals of the book are really cool. I'm going to buy more of David Macaulay's books because they look pretty awesome too. Still totally jealous this book didn't exist when I was little though, it's so cool!
The illustrations were wonderful. My 4 year old is obsessed with David Macaulay. Since purchasing this book, and the DVD series, we have checked out as many of the David Macaulay books at our library as we can get.
Another excellent Macaulay book! My son is a visual learner and loves all his books. This book has piqued his interest in engineering principles. The illustrations, combined with written information, bring the concepts of engineering and physics to life and he won't forget what he has learned.
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