 In
1932, the same year Henry-Russell Hitchcock and I collaborated in
writing The International Style, John Wiley & Sons brought
out a little known book titled Architectural Graphic Standards.
Both of these books, in different ways, helped usher in the era of
Modernism and contributed to my amazing journey in architecture.
Sixty-eight years later and ten editions complete, Architectural
Graphic Standards, or as I like to call it, Graphic Standards,
has quadrupled in size and immeasurably in depth of content, thanks to
the dedicated work of its gifted editors, architects, and
contributors. I even understand that it is in digital form on CD-ROM
located in the back cover of this book. What's next, a Graphic
Standards website?
I can't think of another book published this century that has
supported, taught, and delighted our profession as much as Graphic
Standards. These ten editions are a chronicle of twentieth-century
U.S. architectural practice standards. Furthermore, the book is one of
the most unifying and focused reference works available in the world.
I have always considered my Graphic Standards as important in
design as my pencil.
Every architect loves it, wears it out, and keeps it within arm's
length. It is a combination of the Encyclopedia Britannica and the
telephone book—or maybe it's the Whole Earth Catalog of
architecture! No architect can be without Graphic Standards,
and with it every architect is empowered and equipped to practice
architecture. PHILIP C. JOHNSON, FAIA |