Architectural Designs

Where I can find an Architectural encyclopedia about housing and commercial buildings?

Please I want to know the important concepts about designing villas , houses , towers , commercial buildings >>> I want it this week Well done mr.die I'll try to find these books you told but as I am not from USA I think I won't find it easily so if you can search for a free encyclopedia you will serve me well >>> I hope you and anyone answer this question can find a free encyclopedia or a name of other books to search for

Public Comments

1. As far as some general layout information, try Architectural Graphic Standards, published by Wiley. As far as architectural limitations, if you can get hold of a book on house construction it will at least start to address your questions, (any "build your own house") will at least discuss things like the kitchen triangle, size of rooms, layout, etc. As far as practicality, the IRC will give you span tables once you've selected a floor plan layout so you can start picking if you need a 2x10 floor or 2x12 or 2x8, and so on. Walls in North tend to be 2x6 for insulation thickness. When we talk about towers and commerical buildings, the IBC is your go to, but it isn't in a digestible form for someone trying to learn on their own. The most informative parts of the IBC for what you are looking for is use groups and size limitations, and how many fire exits, exit distance, etc, will be involved, and these are very basic questions investigated early in the architect's work. Bear in mind, rough floor spans beyond 15' for wood are unrealistic, wood trusses beyond about 40' are unrealistic, and steel becomes fairly unrealistic at 50'. Some concrete/precast can be stretched to 60' but there isn't a lot of variety and it will occupy a lot of the vertical height of a building.
2. library!