Medieval castles have traditionally been examined as feats of military engineering & tools of feudal control. This book presents a different perspective, by exploring the castle as a cultural reflection of the society that produced it, seen through art & literature.

This book presents a state of the art in mortar characterisation, experimentation with and applications of new mortars for conservation and repair of historic buildings. This volume includes the following topics: characterisation of historic mortars (methods, interpretation, application of results), development of new materials for conservation (compatibility, durability, mix designs), the history of mortar technology and fundamental experimental studies of material properties. The papers have been selected from those presented at the 3rd Historic Mortars Conference, held in Glasgow, Scotland, September 11-14th 2013. All the papers here underwent a two stage peer review process, for the conference and again for this volume. In some cases this has resulted in a revision and updating of content.

Inspiring photography, insider tips, cultural interpretation, and expert advice are hallmarks of these bestselling travel guides, ensuring a more authentic, enriching experience of the destination. The Eternal City, with its almost three thousand years of history, bears witness to the genius, the tenacity, and the versatility of a people and a civilization. History and culture, monuments and curiosities, art and tradition. Thanks to a series of recommended itineraries, the reader will be able to explore even hidden corners of the city, taking advantage of the practical information provided. From Piazza di Spagna to the heights of the Palatino, the expert authors guide readers through this vibrantly historical city, offering all the tools needed for planning a trip to this fascinating capital. Starting with an introduction to the history and the culture of Rome, the book explores each and every district of the city, covering every corner in detail. The sites described include the Coliseum, the Arco di Costantino, the Foro Imperiale, the Foro Romano, the Trevi fountain, and the sublime ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museums. Moreover, the guide presents six detailed guided walks through one of the most charming districts of the city.

This book offers a detailed insight into the desire for, and consequences of, precise communications in the daily life of contemporary architectural practice through close readings of constructed architectural details by Sigurd Lewerentz, Caruso St John Architects, Mies van der Rohe and OMA. In the professionalised context of the contemporary architectural profession, precise communications – drawings, specifications, letters, faxes and emails – are charged with the complex task of translating architectural intent into a neutral and quantifiable language which is expected to guarantee an exact match between the architects’ intentions and the constructed result. Yet, as any architectural practitioner will know, it is doubtful whether the construction of any architectural project may ever exactly match all written and drawn predictions. This book challenges claims to certainty which have been attributed to such communications from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, and critiques ongoing expectations of certainty in contemporary architectural production.