20 Best Books For Architects (2023 Update)

The updated and revised edition of the architecture reference & specification bookcontains vital information that's essential to planning and executing architectural projects of all shapes and sizes, all in a format that is small enough to carry anywhere. most architectural standards references contain thousands of pages of details, overwhelmingly more than architects need to know on any given day. in contrast, the architecture reference & specification book updated & revised distills the data provided in standard architectural volumes in an easy-to-use reference covering the most indispensable–and most requested–types of architectural information. the reference & specification book series from rockport publishers offers students and practicing professionals in a range of creative industries must-have information in their area of specialty in an up-to-date, concise handbook.

* just the essential information for readers on the go who want to understand architecture. * covers the highlights of architectural history, from the great pyramids to frank gehry's guggenheim museum in bilbao. * explains how to look at a building and appreciate it. explains when a building's a building and when it's art. * part of tens includes: ten great architectural masterpieces, ten biggest architectural and engineering failures, ten of the most interesting architects working today-and more.

Elements of architecture focuses on the fragments of the rich and complex architectural collage. window, façade, balcony, corridor, fireplace, stair, escalator, elevator: the book seeks to excavate the micro-narratives of building detail. the result is no single history, but rather the web of origins, contaminations, similarities, and differences in architectural evolution, including the influence of technological advances, climatic adaptation, political calculation, economic contexts, regulatory requirements, and new digital opportunities. derived, updated, and expanded from koolhaas's exhaustive and much-lauded exhibition at the 2014 venice architecture biennale, this is an essential toolkit to understanding the fundamentals that comprise structure around the globe. designed by irma boom and based on research from the harvard graduate school of design, the 2,600-page monograph contains essays from rem koolhaas, stephan trueby, manfredo di robilant, and jeffrey inaba; interviews with werner sobek and tony fadell (of nest); and an exclusive photo essay by wolfgang tillmans. – in addition to comprehensively updated texts and new images, this edition is designed and produced to visually (and physically) embody the immense scope of its subject matter: custom split-spine binding: our printer modified their industrial binding machine to allow for the flexible, eight-centimeter thick spine – contains a new introductory chapter with forewords, table of contents, and an index, located in the middle of the book (where it naturally opens due to its unique spine)printed on 50g opakal paper, allowing for the ideal level of opacity needed to realize boom's palimpsest-like design – translucent overlays and personal annotations by koolhaas and boom are woven in each chapter to create an alternative, faster route through the book – printed at the originally intended 100% size for full readability

Divlearning a new discipline is similar to learning a new language; in order to master the foundation of architecture, you must first master the basic building blocks of its language – the definitions, function, and usage. language of architecture provides students and professional architects with the basic elements of architectural design, divided into twenty-six easy-to-comprehend chapters. this visual reference includes an introductory, historical view of the elements, as well as an overview of how these elements can and have been used across multiple design disciplines./div – div /div – divwhether you’re new to the field or have been an architect for years, you’ll want to flip through the pages of this book throughout your career and use it as the go-to reference for inspiration, ideas, and reminders of how a strong knowledge of the basics allows for meaningful, memorable, and beautiful fashions that extend beyond trends./div – div /div – divthis comprehensive learning tool is the one book you’ll want as a staple in your library./div – div /div

A rich visual history of architectural digest, published for the magazine's 100th anniversary architectural digest at 100 celebrates the best from the pages of the international design authority. the editors have delved into the archives and culled years of rich material covering a range of subjects. ranging freely between present and past, the book features the personal spaces of dozens of private celebrities like barack and michelle obama, david bowie, truman capote, david hockney, michael kors, and diana vreeland, and includes the work of top designers and architects like frank gehry, david hicks, india mahdavi, peter marino, john fowler, renzo mongiardino, oscar niemeyer, axel vervoordt, frank lloyd wright, and elsie de wolfe. also included are stunning images from the magazine's history by photographers such as bill cunningham, horst p. horst, simon upton, francois dischinger, francois halard, julius shulman, and oberto gili.

In may 1939, the celebrated american architect frank lloyd wright visited london and gave four lectures at the royal institute of british architects. the meetings were hailed at the time as the most remarkable events of recent architectural affairs in england, and the lectures were published as an organic architecture in september 1939 by lund humphries. the texts remain an important expression of the architect's core philosophy and are being reissued now in a new edition to commemorate the 150th anniversary in 2017 of frank lloyd wright's birth. in the lectures, frank lloyd wright covers a wide range of topics including his usonian houses, his visions for the future of cities both in north america and elsewhere, particularly in britain, taliesin and the johnson waxworks factory, the then-imminent second world war, and the 'future'. in doing so, his charismatic, flamboyant character leaps to life from the pages, not to mention his hugely creative intelligence, making these essays very enjoyable and entertaining. this new edition includes an insightful new essay by esteemed architectural historian, professor andrew saint, which sets the lectures within context and highlights their continued resonance and appeal.

A comprehensive introduction to architecture and architectural history and exceptional in its approach, this book explores architecture as a current practice in relation to history and in relation to the wider context of cultures, conservation and the environment. this new edition brings in the new emphasis on sustainability, urbanism, urban regeneration and cultural identity, in order to take a holistic approach to the subject of architecture. highly illustrated, this book enables the reader to make sense of the experience of architecture and the built environment by understanding more about the form, construction, meaning and history of the subject.

"engaging biographies alongside showstopping photos […] a book that's both enlightening and beautiful" – lovereading in this stunning jacketed hardback, award-winning architecture writer ike ijeh introduces 50 of the world's most influential architects and a selection of their most celebrated buildings, showcased with full-color photography. the architects selected here have designed buildings that are as dramatic as their impact on the world of architecture. from familiar modern era names such as zaha hadid and norman foster to geniuses from history such as nicholas hawksmoor and andrea palladio, ike ijeh reveals his top 50 list of the architects deserving of the description 'greatest'. two double-page spreads are dedicated to each architect, outlining their influences, the legacy of their ideas and revealing the glorious designs that have made them famous. includes: – full-color photographs and illustrations of famous buildings around the world – concise professional biographies of the architects listed – plans from great architecture projects – entries arranged in chronological order for easy reference with this wonderful hardback reference guide you can discover the true breadth of the creative achievements that lie within the careers of these architectural giants and enjoy their beautiful creations through images and illustrations.

"engaging biographies alongside showstopping photos […] a book that's both enlightening and beautiful" – lovereading in this stunning jacketed hardback, award-winning architecture writer ike ijeh introduces 50 of the world's most influential architects and a selection of their most celebrated buildings, showcased with full-color photography. the architects selected here have designed buildings that are as dramatic as their impact on the world of architecture. from familiar modern era names such as zaha hadid and norman foster to geniuses from history such as nicholas hawksmoor and andrea palladio, ike ijeh reveals his top 50 list of the architects deserving of the description 'greatest'. two double-page spreads are dedicated to each architect, outlining their influences, the legacy of their ideas and revealing the glorious designs that have made them famous. includes: – full-color photographs and illustrations of famous buildings around the world – concise professional biographies of the architects listed – plans from great architecture projects – entries arranged in chronological order for easy reference with this wonderful hardback reference guide you can discover the true breadth of the creative achievements that lie within the careers of these architectural giants and enjoy their beautiful creations through images and illustrations.

A former un worker and prominent architect, johan van lengen has seen firsthand the desperate need for a "greener" approach to housing in impoverished tropical climates. this comprehensive book clearly explains every aspect of this endeavor, including design (siting, orientation, climate consideration), materials (sisal, cactus, bamboo, earth), and implementation. the author emphasizes throughout the book what is inexpensive and sustainable. included are sections discussing urban planning, small-scale energy production, cleaning and storing drinking water, and dealing with septic waste, and all information is applied to three distinct tropical regions: humid areas, temporate areas, and desert climates. hundreds of explanatory drawings by van lengen allow even novice builders to get started.

Soft cover. near fine. 2000 reprint of the 1965 edition paperback in near fine condition. erased pencil markings visible on inside cover. no other marks to pages clean and bright tight even binding. a little rubbing to edges of the card cover spine remains uncreased. a lovely copy. items are dispatched the same or the following working day.

Architecture: residential drafting and design provides comprehensive instruction on traditional and computer-based methods of preparing architectural working drawings, as well as coverage of design and construction principles and methods. it is organized around the design-building process, a logical way for students to easily learn. it is intended to help build the necessary technical skills to communicate architectural ideas in an understandable, efficient, and accurate manner. architecture: residential drafting and design covers all phases of architectural drafting and design. in addition to providing information on architectural drafting, design, and construction, the text includes excellent coverage of computer-aided drafting and design (cadd), 3d parametric modeling applications, and building information modeling (bim).

Architecture is one of the most accessible and involving forms of art; a building or space is a physical presence that defines everyday experiences, affects mood, and becomes part of collective memory and cultural identity. an essential introduction, the fundamentals of architecture gives a comprehensive and engaging overview of architecture in its entirety, from creation to construction. – beginning with a fascinating chapter on the history of architecture including a timeline of architectural influences, this new edition contains in-depth case studies, practical projects and carefully selected imagery. alongside many images of recognizable and iconic buildings are lesser known examples of striking architectural design. all stages of the architectural process are considered, making this the perfect guide for anyone with an interest in architecture. – international examples range from cathedrals to airports; from la bibliothèque nationale in paris to the duomo in florence; a conference centre in glasgow to the château de versailles; the reichstag dome in berlin to kidosaki house in tokyo; gaudi's la sagrada familia in barcelona to the penguin pool at london zoo. – eminent architects, from the classics to modern masters, are profiled next to their most famous works. featured architects include: filippo brunelleschi, antoni gaudi, ludwig mies van der rohe, le corbusier, carlo scarpa, norman foster, zaha hadid, peter zumthor, louis kahn and richard rogers. – case studies span redesigning a university campus; designing a pavilion for the shanghai expo; reconstructing a museum; renovating an historic building; integrating with an urban landscape.

Significantly updated with revisions to nearly all 200-plus details, this second edition of architect's handbook of construction detailing provides architects, engineers, interior designers, contractors, and other building professionals with all of the common construction details, materials information, and detailing concepts used throughout the industry. the information can be used as is or modified to fit individual project designs. each of book's seven sections — formatted to follow the new six-digit csi masterformat system — contains details and related information, including descriptions, detailing considerations, material requirements, installation requirements, tolerance coordination, and likely failure points. additionally, si (metric) equivalents have been added to all dimensions.

Architecture offers a thorough introduction to the entire field of architecture, outlining the steps that arenormally taken in becoming a qualified architect, from initial education right through to professional practice, as well as how to apply this architectural training in other fields.complete with feature spreads on individual projects, architecture's broad, up-to-date approach unites history, theory, and practice. subjects covered include how to develop a program with a client; taking an idea from brief to project; types of visual presentation including drawings, models, and computer renderings; project planning andmanagement; the diverse roles within a company; and the future of architectural practice. this book is a must for anyone considering taking an architecture course or just beginning one.

This comprehensive reference work contains scale drawings of every type of detailing used in contemporary residential architecture. each section contains at least 50 drawings drawn to a set range of scales: 1:5, 1:10 or 1:50, with detailed keys explaining construction and material. each drawing is cross-referenced to other details from the same house. the opening section of the book forms a directory that shows interior and exterior images of the source houses, together with credits, a brief descriptive text and information as to which details from that house are included. the houses in this section are organized by main construction material (wood, concrete, glass etc). the book will be an invaluable reference work for all architects showing the best examples of residential detailing from around the world.

Revealing pairings of a chair and a building by each architect—featuring fifty-five stars from calatrava to hadiddoes an architect’s style always come across, regardless of medium? pairing great buildings with great chairs by the same architect, chairs by architects demonstrates how the defining qualities of a building’s style can also be evident in that architect’s furniture designs. pieces of furniture, like manifestos, become signatures of architectural style. the fifty-five architects featured here include early modern architectural pioneers such as otto wagner, charles rennie mackintosh, antoni gaudí, and walter gropius, together with more recent modern masters such as oscar niemeyer, santiago calatrava, zaha hadid, frank gehry, and daniel libeskind. the book contains interviews on designing (in conversation with david adjaye), manufacturing (with david e. bright, knoll, inc.), selling (with zeev aram), collecting (with richard wright), and preserving (with susanne graner, vitra design museum). this is essential reading for everyone concerned with design, architecture, and the relationship between creators and their creations.

The essential guide to beginning your career in architecture the architecture student's handbook of professional practice opens the door to the vast body of knowledge required to effectively manage architectural projects and practice. a professional architect is responsible for much more than design; this book is specifically designed to help prepare you for the business and administrative challenges of working in the real-world—whether you are a student or are just starting out in practice. it provides clear insight into the legal, financial, marketing, management, and administrative tasks and issues that are integral to keeping a firm running. this new edition has been restructured to be a companion textbook for students undertaking architectural practice classes, while also fulfilling the specific knowledge needs of interns and emerging professionals. it supplements information from the professional handbook with new content aimed at those setting out in the architectural profession and starting to navigate their careers. whether you want to work at a top firm, strike out on your own, or start the next up-and-coming team, the business of architecture is a critical factor in your success. this book brings the fundamentals together to give you a one-stop resource for learning the reality of architectural practice. learn the architect's legal and ethical responsibilities understand the processes of starting and running your own firm develop, manage, and deliver projects on time and on budget become familiar with standard industry agreements and contracts few architects were drawn to the profession by dreams of writing agreements and negotiating contracts, but those who excel at these everyday essential tasks impact their practice in innumerable ways. the architecture student's handbook of professional practice provides access to the "nuts and bolts" that keep a firm alive, stable, and financially sound.

The 'architect's bible' since 1932, updated with the latest codes and standards architectural graphic standards is the written authority for architects, designers, and building contractors. it provides comprehensive guidance on the visual representation of materials, products, systems, and assemblies. updated to reflect the most current codes and standards, this new 12th edition features over 300 new drawings, tables, and designs and twenty-five percent new content. in response to architects' feedback and overwhelming demand for a more graphics-heavy format, this edition employs shorter, more accessible texts and more images of the standards and evolution of design and construction. new coverage includes building resiliency and the building envelope, expert discussion on the fundamentals of design and construction documentation, and new examination of environmental factors and material properties and performance. sustainable design is no longer separated, but incorporated throughout, and extensive appendices keep useful data right at your fingertips. graphic standards are essential to building design. they cover everything from door frames and roof designs to air ducts and outdoor sports facilities. this meticulous resource provides a compendium of planning standards, optimum dimensions, and normative construction details. the book is organized into three core sections covering: design and documentation, materials, and building elements. architectural graphic standards features: key architectural design and production processes—functional planning, environmental assessment, building resiliency, and architectural construction documentation thorough coverage of materials: concrete, masonry, metals, wood, plastics, composites, and glass an exhaustive survey of building elements—substructures, shells, services, equipment, furnishings, special structures, and siteworks comprehensive appendixes filled with pertinent data such as: classic architectural elements, mathematical data, and structural calculations endorsed by the american institute of architects, this book has an enduring and unsurpassed reputation for high-quality illustration, text, and graphic design. for crucial information in a user-friendly format, architectural graphic standards is the go-to reference on building design and construction.

The 'architect's bible' since 1932, updated with the latest codes and standards architectural graphic standards is the written authority for architects, designers, and building contractors. it provides comprehensive guidance on the visual representation of materials, products, systems, and assemblies. updated to reflect the most current codes and standards, this new 12th edition features over 300 new drawings, tables, and designs and twenty-five percent new content. in response to architects' feedback and overwhelming demand for a more graphics-heavy format, this edition employs shorter, more accessible texts and more images of the standards and evolution of design and construction. new coverage includes building resiliency and the building envelope, expert discussion on the fundamentals of design and construction documentation, and new examination of environmental factors and material properties and performance. sustainable design is no longer separated, but incorporated throughout, and extensive appendices keep useful data right at your fingertips. graphic standards are essential to building design. they cover everything from door frames and roof designs to air ducts and outdoor sports facilities. this meticulous resource provides a compendium of planning standards, optimum dimensions, and normative construction details. the book is organized into three core sections covering: design and documentation, materials, and building elements. architectural graphic standards features: key architectural design and production processes—functional planning, environmental assessment, building resiliency, and architectural construction documentation thorough coverage of materials: concrete, masonry, metals, wood, plastics, composites, and glass an exhaustive survey of building elements—substructures, shells, services, equipment, furnishings, special structures, and siteworks comprehensive appendixes filled with pertinent data such as: classic architectural elements, mathematical data, and structural calculations endorsed by the american institute of architects, this book has an enduring and unsurpassed reputation for high-quality illustration, text, and graphic design. for crucial information in a user-friendly format, architectural graphic standards is the go-to reference on building design and construction.