The title says it all. What architectural books do you recommend? They can be any type , history, theory, collections of work, technical, general design, ect. There is no wrong answer to this.
I'll start
Drawing Shortcuts by Jim Leggitt
Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, and Jill Butler
101 Things I Learned in Architecture School by Matthew Frederick
I believe the 2 most important books in any architect's library should be Ching's Building Construction Illustrated and Wiggins's Manual of Construction Documentation.
Everything referenced above seems to be primarily in the "reference" category (or similar). Away from that, the one that has always stuck out to me is Rowan Moore's "Slow Burn City". Certainly dense reading, but offers up a thought-provoking theory on the history of affordability in globalized cities. I started in urban planning prior to architecture school so it tickles my interest.
It's in moon runes, but 新米建築士の教科書 is a great book for emerging professionals. It basically is a "here's all the stuff I messed up throughout my career so try doing things this way instead" manual.
I'll be honest, the cover illustration is what made me snatch it off the shelf though. Done in that old school isometric Japanese woodblock print style.
My suggestion is just read without too much digging and thinking, then 1 day you will figure out what those books are talking about. Other wise I can not understand most of them to be honestly. Architect theorist like to make simple and easy things difficult to understand, then they can get fund or graduate from PHD.
Also, every young architect should read the Fountainhead - both the "hero" and "villain" are great examples of the WORSTkinds of architects. Don't be like either of them.
Recommended Architectural Books?
The title says it all. What architectural books do you recommend? They can be any type , history, theory, collections of work, technical, general design, ect. There is no wrong answer to this.
I'll start
Drawing Shortcuts by Jim Leggitt
Universal Principles of Design by William Lidwell, Kritina Holden, and Jill Butler
101 Things I Learned in Architecture School by Matthew Frederick
A Pattern Language, Christopher Alexander et al. I've read it several times and due for a re-read; it always gets my brain going.
Not exactly architectural, but one I refer to often is Understanding Wood by Bruce Hoadley--it's basically the bible for wood nerds.
I'm finding that I'm often referencing A House Needs to Breathe--Or Does It? By Allison Bailes. It covers basic building science in a readable format.
For advanced building science in a dense format, but worth slogging through: Water in Buildings by William Rose.
Others I reference often, not quite daily but close: Manual of Steel Construction, ASD by the AISC, and ASHRAE Fundamentals, 2017 edition.
I should have more inspirational books on my list and shelf but those are the ones always in arm's reach.
Seems like there's a recent book about pretty good houses I'm vaguely remembering.
Huh, haven't heard of it ;-) (Currently Amazon's #1 best seller in Sustainability + Green Design!)
A Pattern Language is a great one. I’m actually currently re-reading it in Japanese.
From the news today: 2023 Architectural Book Awards shortlist unveiled
I believe the 2 most important books in any architect's library should be Ching's Building Construction Illustrated and Wiggins's Manual of Construction Documentation.
Excellent, I’m a book lover and just ordered two new ones. Keep the recs coming.
Everything referenced above seems to be primarily in the "reference" category (or similar). Away from that, the one that has always stuck out to me is Rowan Moore's "Slow Burn City". Certainly dense reading, but offers up a thought-provoking theory on the history of affordability in globalized cities. I started in urban planning prior to architecture school so it tickles my interest.
Just to be clear - the books could be anything with a relationship to architecture and / or design.
For example:
Glittering Images: A Journey Through Art from Egypt to Star Wars by Camille Paglia
What if I can barely read 'Murican?
http://www.leonardkoren.com/lk...
this could go in the inspiration thread also
It's in moon runes, but 新米建築士の教科書 is a great book for emerging professionals. It basically is a "here's all the stuff I messed up throughout my career so try doing things this way instead" manual.
I'll be honest, the cover illustration is what made me snatch it off the shelf though. Done in that old school isometric Japanese woodblock print style.
My suggestion is just read without too much digging and thinking, then 1 day you will figure out what those books are talking about. Other wise I can not understand most of them to be honestly. Architect theorist like to make simple and easy things difficult to understand, then they can get fund or graduate from PHD.
The Third Policeman
That was the first book I was assigned to read in architecture school, by a staff of phenomenologists.
Also, every young architect should read the Fountainhead - both the "hero" and "villain" are great examples of the WORST kinds of architects. Don't be like either of them.
I think the applies to the majority of Rand's work . . . .
The feeling of things. : Adam Caruso
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