Reddit mentions of The Classical Language of Architecture

Thanks, /u/kiwimac! My list looks like this:

The Classical Language of Architecture, by John Summerson,
An Outline of European Architecture, by Nikolaus Pevsner, and
The Story of Western Architecture by Bill Risebero.

There are treatises like, "James Gibbs' ~ Rules for Drawing the Several Parts of Architecture..." which go into detail with all the particular relationships and proportions of his orders. But this is but only one set of many sets of the orders who are all trying to arrive at the most harmonious method. Some use the column diameter as a measure, some use divisions of height, or other fractional measures (e.g. 100 or 96 part-systems). Some architects prefer one method over another, think some are just plain erroneous, or supplement their own methods and are free to develop their own treatise. The variability of proportion has historically been wildly varied.

The traditions of architecture are not handed down to us to be taken verbatim, rather they are OUR tradition and subject to our own rationality and convictions. Further more, these rules that are described respect an overarching grammar and syntax of form. Treatises of those like Gibbs take for granted that architects understand this language and are only giving the details of particular elements and some arrangements. They are much more like descriptions of keys on a piano and basic chords, not illustrating how to compose particular songs, or even the theory of music in general. Likewise, the classical orders are systems of organization like music theory provides a framework for creating good music.

For an attempt at understanding the language of classical architecture you will have to invest time and reading as it is a huge topic. A great start would be reading Classical Architecture: An Introduction to Its Vocabulary and Essentials, with a Select Glossary of Terms as well as The Classical Language of Architecture by Summerson. The question you pose is a bit like asking for a good book to read on the topic of creating good music, or becoming a great chef. Architecture, like the others, is an art after all, and most learning comes from doing.