MeganYorke_Assignment#5a

Ford, Larry R. The Spaces Between Buildings. Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press. 2000.

Larry R. Ford's book, The Spaces Between Buildings (2000), asserts that ordinary features such as “gates and fences, sidewalks and driveways, alleys and parking lots are all ordinary features that have an important architectural impact, influencing how a building relates to the spaces around it.” Ford backs this claim up by breaking his book up into three sections. The first section discusses the problems that are usually encountered in beautifying the back and side yards that have helped create the image of the “untidy American city.” The second section examines the urban trend of viewing lawns, gardens, and trees as an essential accessory to architecture. The third and final section focuses on pedestrian and vehicular spaces, where Ford takes a closer look at the landscape of the garage, sidewalks, streets, and alleys. Ford's purpose is to point out the ways in which design, architecture, and ornamentation can create the character of urban spaces. Given the language used in the book, Ford is writing to architects, urban planners, and geographers.

Kumar, Sandeep. "Spaces Between Buildings (Book Review)." Journal of the American Planning Association 67, no. 3 (Summer 2001): 351-352.

Sandeep Kumar's book review, "Spaces Between Buildings” (2001), asserts that Ford is interested in the “accidental spaces between buildings, especially their type, usage, and meaning.” Kumar backs this claim up with a description of each of his three sections. Kumar explains that the sections lead the reader gradually from private to semi-private to public realms of urban spaces. Each section includes observations of four methods of fixing belief, pointing out the effectiveness and potential weaknesses of each method. Kumar's purpose is to point out the five themes, which are carried throughout the book. “The first is to explore the meaning of ‘spaces between buildings.’ The second is a short architectural history of space; the evolution of various façade treatments, stoops, porches, verandahs, sidewalks, lawns, and fences. The third theme focuses on the roles that codes, zoning, and other regulations have played in shaping the spaces between buildings. The fourth theme captures the current anxiety over the issue of declining public spaces and civic culture. The fifth and final theme takes up the debate over whether or not there are any universally accepted aesthetic characteristics that cut across all culture and define good urban places.” Kumar agrees strongly with the books stance on urban spaces. Kumar states the book is well organized however, he feels the book is highly influence by the writings of Roger Trancik in his book, Finding Lost Space: Theory of Urban Design, even though it isn’t listed in his bibliography. Kumar finds the book to be well structured and an easy read for all but is disappointed that the book lacks a focus on case studies. Given the language used in the article, Kumar is writing to the same audience that Larry Ford is speaking to; architects, urban planners, and geographers.