The holidays are here, and if you're looking for the perfect gift to give to a special someone OR you're looking for a gift to give yourself this year, check out our curated list of ideas from Archinect's editorial team.
Whether you're shopping for the architect, student, or design professional in your life, we've got you covered. This year, our team's recommendations range from must-read books, fun home goods, and our favorite coffee accessories to accompany Archinect's Brutal coffee. From simple and practical gifts to those worth splurging on, we've crafted a helpful gift guide for you this holiday season.
Meet Me by the Fountain by Alexandra Lange — buy here
If you're looking for a book that's filled with easy-to-digest information about malls, their nostalgic appeal, and fabled history, this is the perfect book to add to your library. In true Lange fashion, she provides nuanced perspectives paired with detailed research that helps her reader understand "the mall's story of rise, fall, and ongoing reinvention."
Sandfuture by Justin Beal — buy here
It’s never too early to start planning next summer’s big beach read. This year-old title from MIT Press about the life of late World Trade Center designer Minoru Yamasaki is both a compelling and technically precise account of not only the architect but also the city during times of unprecedented change and challenges. It also contains author Justin Beal’s useful first-hand account of life and architecture in New York City in the aftermath of 9/11. In 256 pages, he offers a very readable depiction of the construction of Yamasaki’s tragic masterpiece and the bridge to our era that followed its highly-televised destruction.
Frank Lloyd Wright Imperial Socks — buy here
Where there is a Christmas tree, there is likely a pair of socks waiting underneath it. But these are no ordinary socks. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's design for the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, this apparel is designed to express Wright's signature Mayan Revival style through a bold color scheme. While available in several colors, we recommend violet!
V&A Houndstooth Tote — buy here
The 170-year-old V&A stays current with the recent knitwear trend that’s taken over eco-minded shoppers in the last two fashion cycles with this head-turning tote sure, as Queen Victoria said during the museum’s 1899 renaming ceremony, to "remain for ages a Monument of discerning Liberality and a Source of Refinement and Progress."
Zaha Hadid-designed cheese grater — buy here
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners wasn't the only firm to design a cheesegrater. The Zaha Hadid-designed "Forma" embodies the architect's love of organic, undulating architecture, inspired by pebbles that have been smoothed down by water and wind. The stainless steel utensil features a pattern of asymmetrical holes that unevenly distributes cheese gratings to give a "unique texture to any dish."
The Barisieur — buy here
Are you an avid coffee or tea drinker and want to wake up to the smell of a fresh hot cup of your favorite morning drink? Sure there are plenty of automatic coffee makers out there that sit on your countertop, but those don't match The Barisieur, the award-winning "personal bedside barista." From its clean design that's reminiscent of Deiter Rams and Hans Gugelot, the Barisieur may be the perfect gift for that coffee connoisseur in your life.
NYC Coffee Cup — buy here
Leslie Buck’s 1963 Anthora cup design is now synonymous with the city’s fast-paced pedestrian culture and serves as a touchstone to the gritty vernacular that’s been lost to the advent of the Instagram-friendly era of coffee shop design and gentrification. They should therefore be a welcomed addition to any Big Apple lover's collection. Old as it may be, this microwave-friendly ceramic version from Graham Hill and the MoMA Design Store will serve as a classical inspiration to power you nostalgically through a busy workday full of 21st-century challenges.
Brutal Coffee — buy here
Architects love coffee. Archinect loves coffee. Give the gift of Brutal Coffee to your family, friends, or workmates to enjoy! Whether you need to kick start your work day or you want to enjoy a warm cup of joe as you ease into the morning, our single-origin varietals from Guatemala and Costa Rica are available! Learn more about Brutal Coffee here.
Wonderwerk Free Your Mind Wine — buy here
If you're looking for a crisp wine to gift this holiday season OR you're looking for a wine to enjoy among family and friends, check out these "supernatural" wines from the California-based House of Fermentation...Wonderwerk LA. This easy-to-drink, chillable wine is a personal favorite and is perfect for any occasion. "The idea is to be more than the sum of the parts. At its core, Free Your Mind is an aromatic orange wine: a skin-fermented Riesling," shares the Wonderwerk Team. I can't forget to mention the super cool graphic art unique to each wine bottle.
TWEMCO Alarm Flip Clock AL-30 — buy here
Whether you're working from home or back in the office, keep time with the alarm flip clock from Twemco. If you're a fan of retro, mid-century modern industrial design Twemco's assortment of flip clocks makes keeping track of your day a breeze. Since 1968, Twemco has been the leading design manufacturer for these iconic timepieces. Choose from a variety of color options to match your home or office mood.
Glass Block Lamps by KISMAS — buy here
Good lighting is key, and if you're a PoMo fan looking to spruce up your office space OR add a unique lighting piece to your home, Kismas' Glass Block Lamps turn the traditional glass block into a stylistic piece of functional home decor. Available in an assortment of colors, these lamps are offered in two styles, Kismas' Vintage Line, which is "made using original glass blocks from the 1970s and 1980s," and Kismas' Modern Line, which showcases a newer design spin on the classic design look. All lamps are dimmable and come with 7 additional color filters to add variety to your mood and room.
Eames x Art of Play: Hang-It-All Playing Cards — buy here
A solid deck of cards can go a long way. From goldfish, gin rummy, and a classic game of poker, have fun this holiday season with playing cards inspired by the iconic Ray and Charles Eames. The perfect stocking stuffer for your design-minded friend or colleague.
*Don't forget that the holiday season isn't just about tangible presents. Sometimes the perfect gift can also be spending quality time with loved ones, sharing a meal, and giving yourself much-needed rest. Happy Holidays from Archinect!
1 Comment
I like the Life of an Architect's gift lists better. ;)
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