by Thomas Gordon Smith (Monacelli Press)
Around 25 B.C., Marcus Vitruvius Pollio cataloged the rules
and ideals of Greek architecture in 10 scrolls. In this book,
Smith, a Notre Dame professor of architecture, presents a new
translation of five of the scrolls most relevant to architecture
today. Along with photographs of historic architecture from Greece,
Italy, Turkey and the Mediterranean region, the book includes
new drawings and watercolors that illustrate Vitruvius' methods
of proportion and composition. A practicing classical architect,
Smith writes that "Vitruvius's recommendations are still germane
to solving problems of strength, function and beauty in modern
circumstances."
(May 2004)
