Architectura Civilis by Joseph Furttenbach (1628) was still written in the old German writing, which initially caused difficulties because I found it difficult to read the text. So, at first glance, I found very little information. This also made it difficult for me to find keywords to ask Alice about. After reading the book and reading descriptions, I found a little bit of information. The book is an actual description of how palaces, grottoes, hospitals, etc. should be built and executed according to the best form and fair rules. This prompted me to look for public buildings, standard values, standard dimensions, building typologies.
Elements of Architecture by Rem Koolhaas
Koolhaas writes in his book that considering tolerances is just as informative as measuring the average values. While differences are possible in these individual dimensions, they are always bounded by a minimum and maximum value that was acceptable for within a particular epoch and is therefore typical of that time period. In this case he gives the example of a staircase. There is a maximum setting height in public buildings, which is between 16 and 17cm. However, this can vary depending on the function of the staircase and where it is installed. It is interesting that Furttenbach collected or specified exactly such minimum and maximum values or ideal values in his book Architectura Civilis. And exactly according to such regulations (SIA/BFU/…) is still built today.
A History of Architectural Theory by Hanno-Walter Kruft
Kruft writes exactly the same as Furttenbach in his book. In one excerpt he mentions that all public buildings should be made of reinforced concrete and glass and that all shapes should be standardized. This would reduce construction costs and simplify construction operations. However, these specifications are already very specific and serious about the appearance of the architecture and would logically lead to a great simplicity of expression in the structure. The rules from Furttenbach leave more freedom in the application and in the design of the architecture.
Dinkel Nicolai