The Courtyard @ Mandarin Plaza

Architect Clark Thenhaus has spent five years analyzing American residential architecture -- its "character, context, frontality, corners, systemization, physiognomy, symmetry, doors, walls and stacks" in homes ranging from a remote one-room cabin to urban row houses. Now he's published a book, "Unresolved Legibility In Residential Types," which will be launched Friday. Meet the author and peruse his collection of 500 drawings, diagrams, rendered images, and photographs.