In honor of the thread on banned architecture books I would like to start a listing of required books. If such a thread already exists please refer me to it.
Here are a few of mine,
Sun, Wind and Light-G. Z. Brown and Mark DeKay
The Architect's Studio Companion-Edward Allen
Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods-Edward Allan
Graphic Guide to Frame Construction: Details for Builders and
Designers-Rob Thallon
Architectural Graphics-Ching
Building Construction Illustrated-Ching
Design Drawing-Ching
Pattern Language-Christopher Alexander
Suburban Nation-Andres Duany
The Death and Life of Great American Cities-Jane Jacobs
Is there an alternative to Linton's portfolio book? I didn't think it was fantastic or anything but it did relay the importance of documenting work etc. I really wish I had that book (or something related) when I started school.
I waited 2 years for a copy of scanning, and to be honest I was a little disappointed. I think the Charles Renfro lectures I went to kind of spoiled the surprise.
I think whilst we are talking about which books are required it might also help to state where you are in the architectural loop-hole - simply because the things I thought neccesary in school are different to me now. Overkill perhaps.
30, unregistered, lead in a multi-discipline govt practice
13 ways - Richard Harbison GA no.6 Steven Holl
2G <- anything they produce
I know the latter two are periodicals but they are worth it
and I'll add SMLXL as well even though I've only gotten it - I've read it a few times and its amazing how much its shaped the practice of architecture since its release.
You should have this by your bed - modern architecture:a critical history by kenneth frampton. the classical language of architecture by john summerson is a useful introduction from antiquity to renaissance. I also agree with other posts prescribing learning from las vegas and s,m,l,xl.
Required by who? And necessary for what? Maintaining the status quo? Continuing a narcissistic dialogue? What's the point? Read something else. I recommend, "Where the Wild Things Are."
I believe there are tiers of necessary books. Let's say for the beginning architecture student, the graduate/intern, the professional, and just for kicks/fun/pleasure. I started this thread b/c as a new graduate I realized I no longer have someone telling me what books I "have" to buy.
I am interested in what is in other architects libraries and maybe why. I don't expect to like/agree with everyone's selections but I enjoy seeing what is out there that I may have otherwise overlooked.
That's right, a lot of it is just "maintaining the status quo." Not just reading other things, how about writing other things too? Architectural literature could be so much more creative.
I'm no new urbanist but reading Suburban Nation has opened my eyes, significantly. Whilst I highly disagree with Andres building aesthetic his thoughts on urban design and what suburban design unfortunately are run parallel with my own thoughts and ideas
haha. Great play on words. Never would have thought of that one. One doesn't write a book without reading one first. I don't believe that is an assumption.
Jul 31, 07 7:53 pm ·
·
aking, you started a thread that I enjoy reading and writing in. Plus I've learned a few things, and I've even been inspired. Thanks.
Yes, you're right, reading and writing go hand in hand, and that's what's very creative about writing within cyberspace, the integralness of reading and writing.
There's so much to read now and there are so many ways to write/publish now, and I've become very fond of the places where you can actually do both.
As to books, I had and still have many, and at this point I'm seriously thinking of taking a lot of them apart and then mixing and rearranging all the various pages into a series of new books. Maybe I'm foolish, but I anyhow imagine there's a great untapped realm beyond the status quo.
I know one such place where you can simulatneously read/write/publish/discuss latest facts and fads in architecture - Archinect!!! Why read anything else?
Necessary architecture books
In honor of the thread on banned architecture books I would like to start a listing of required books. If such a thread already exists please refer me to it.
Here are a few of mine,
Sun, Wind and Light-G. Z. Brown and Mark DeKay
The Architect's Studio Companion-Edward Allen
Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods-Edward Allan
Graphic Guide to Frame Construction: Details for Builders and
Designers-Rob Thallon
Architectural Graphics-Ching
Building Construction Illustrated-Ching
Design Drawing-Ching
Pattern Language-Christopher Alexander
Suburban Nation-Andres Duany
The Death and Life of Great American Cities-Jane Jacobs
Portfolio Design-Harold Linton
Are we talking about books about being an architect, or books on architectural theory?
Theory books...
Eyes of the Skin, Juhani Pallaasma
Translations of Drawing to Building, Robin Evans
Materials, Structures, and Standards - Julia McMorrough has been a lifesaver in Studio.
Redesigning the American Dream by D. Hayden
Edge Cities - is a great book on the subject of suburbia.
beautiful evidence - edward tufte
I was talking with staff today:
Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt: Do What You Love, Love What You Do, and Deliver More Than You Promise by by Harvey B. Mackay
Great book that gives you a perspective of how to work in the real world.
for me, there are only three books on architecture you really need -
Towards a new achitecture, Learning from Las Vegas and SMXL...
I must obect to Linton's Portfolio Design, seems more suited for artists...
worth holding your breath for....
Towards a Squeezed-Out Architecture
Heavy Volume Everywhere
The Architect Came Twice (in foreign tongue)
One Size Fits All
Is there an alternative to Linton's portfolio book? I didn't think it was fantastic or anything but it did relay the importance of documenting work etc. I really wish I had that book (or something related) when I started school.
a must for all clients:
Does Your Architect Wear Boxers or Blobs?
appliance house
blue monday
scanning - D+S
andrea deplazes - constructing architecture
h+dm - vol. 1
concrete construction manual
masonry construction manual
i'll skip on suburban nation.
Mask Of Medusa
Education Of An Architect
Staying Small Successfully: A Guide for Architects, Engineers, and Design Professionals
, Christian Leborg
treekiller, I'll second zumthor works.
I waited 2 years for a copy of scanning, and to be honest I was a little disappointed. I think the Charles Renfro lectures I went to kind of spoiled the surprise.
I think whilst we are talking about which books are required it might also help to state where you are in the architectural loop-hole - simply because the things I thought neccesary in school are different to me now. Overkill perhaps.
So I'll start.
30, unregistered, lead in a multi-discipline govt practice
13 ways - Richard Harbison
GA no.6 Steven Holl
2G <- anything they produce
I know the latter two are periodicals but they are worth it
and I'll add SMLXL as well even though I've only gotten it - I've read it a few times and its amazing how much its shaped the practice of architecture since its release.
You should have this by your bed - modern architecture:a critical history by kenneth frampton. the classical language of architecture by john summerson is a useful introduction from antiquity to renaissance. I also agree with other posts prescribing learning from las vegas and s,m,l,xl.
Why pass on Suburban Nation? Please elaborate.
Required by who? And necessary for what? Maintaining the status quo? Continuing a narcissistic dialogue? What's the point? Read something else. I recommend, "Where the Wild Things Are."
I believe there are tiers of necessary books. Let's say for the beginning architecture student, the graduate/intern, the professional, and just for kicks/fun/pleasure. I started this thread b/c as a new graduate I realized I no longer have someone telling me what books I "have" to buy.
I am interested in what is in other architects libraries and maybe why. I don't expect to like/agree with everyone's selections but I enjoy seeing what is out there that I may have otherwise overlooked.
any of the books published by detail.
That's right, a lot of it is just "maintaining the status quo." Not just reading other things, how about writing other things too? Architectural literature could be so much more creative.
I'm no new urbanist but reading Suburban Nation has opened my eyes, significantly. Whilst I highly disagree with Andres building aesthetic his thoughts on urban design and what suburban design unfortunately are run parallel with my own thoughts and ideas
yes, ditto what 'philia said.
my sentiments exactly.
i'm with honk. the world would be a better place if there were more people writing about architecture than reading about it.
that being said, "supermodernism," hans iblings
I would assume that the great writers of architecture were readers first. One has to start somewhere and build upon that knowledge.
ASS U ME
haha. Great play on words. Never would have thought of that one. One doesn't write a book without reading one first. I don't believe that is an assumption.
aking, you started a thread that I enjoy reading and writing in. Plus I've learned a few things, and I've even been inspired. Thanks.
Yes, you're right, reading and writing go hand in hand, and that's what's very creative about writing within cyberspace, the integralness of reading and writing.
There's so much to read now and there are so many ways to write/publish now, and I've become very fond of the places where you can actually do both.
As to books, I had and still have many, and at this point I'm seriously thinking of taking a lot of them apart and then mixing and rearranging all the various pages into a series of new books. Maybe I'm foolish, but I anyhow imagine there's a great untapped realm beyond the status quo.
I know one such place where you can simulatneously read/write/publish/discuss latest facts and fads in architecture - Archinect!!! Why read anything else?
Thanks Archinect!
These are must reads for anyone in the field.
Complexity and Contradiction
and/or
Learning From Las Vegas
Delirious New York
grab what interests you.
the more books you have/read the better.
build a library.
have 'em at your fingertips.
the books that help you grow your architectural understanding may not be architecture books.
absorb everything, as much as possible.
GRRM's ASoIaF is absolutely required.
afterculture - jerry herron
the metapolis dictionary of advanced architecture
the poetics of space - gaston bachelard
atlas of novel tectonics
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