Best individual architects & firms books according to redditors
We found 124 Reddit comments discussing the best individual architects & firms books. We ranked the 91 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 124 Reddit comments discussing the best individual architects & firms books. We ranked the 91 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
The best resource I know would be the Albert Speer Architecture Coffee Table Book https://www.amazon.com/Albert-Speer-Architecture-Leon-Krier/dp/1580933548 which is pretty spectacular. I own it, it has all the plans. It does not come cheap but they reprint it once in a while. I think I got it for about $75.
In the contemporary art market, a piece becomes "worth" whatever people are willing to pay for it. There is no inherent "worth" of any art (aside from the materials for something like a Damien Hirst diamond skull) - so the price ultimately drives its arbitrary "worth."
The art market is inherently irrational and entirely deregulated. Due mostly to a complex form of branding, seemingly ridiculous and useless pieces of art fetch millions simply because investors/buyers collectively believe it will retain this value.
I highly recommend the book The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art
Hey guys, I was one of the (many) production artists on the show. We took great care to make this city detailed and follow Speer's plans.
If you're curious, there is a great book of all of his drawings and plans that we used to study what the city would ultimately look like. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Albert-Speer-Architecture-Leon-Krier/dp/1580933548/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 (yeah it's pricey)
Glad you all liked it :)
I remember seeing this piece in a random book, and I spent the past few hours digging through my history of what I have checked out at the art library.
It is interesting to contrast this description that was originally written in Cantonese and translated into English:
> This piece is made of many detachable parts. Different carving techniques including carving-in-the round, relief and open work are used. The circular base is carved with three dragons in clouds on the side and four bands of decorations on the top, each with a different design. The decorations consist of dragons in clouds, chrysanthemums, floral sprays and stringed pearls. A total of three sets of decorations appear on the vertical pole. At the bottom is the immortal magu presenting a birthday gift. Further up is a ball of nine concentric layers. The surface of the ball is carved with two soaring dragons in openwork and twelve round holes through which eight spherical layers can be seen inside. Above the ball is a grooved cylinder carved with openwork decoration. Connecting the three sets of decorations are solid ivory columns that look like bamboo joints. On top of the pole is a tray on which rests an ivory ball of fifteen concentric layers carved with openwork floral designs. The design of this ivory carving is highly innovative, skillfully made, and represents the great achievements of Guangzhou ivory carvers.
Gems from the South: Traditional Crafts of Guangdong Province (2002), pg. 75.
The Chinese Language (Mandarin) and Chinese culture is so particularly rich that it is somehow similar to this complicated artwork, a sort of ivory enigma. If you follow Churchill's famous quote about Russia to the core, you will find the beginning to China (the quote: "Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.")
It is published by HKU press, where I first saw it. It can be ordered from amazon but it is also available here:
http://www.hkbookcity.com/showbook2.php?serial_no=89033
For an additional example as to how different Westerners come to view and know China (not that it is a particularly wrong view) is evident in the difference in the description for the book on amazon vs. 香港書城 (hkbookcity)
A:
> Traditional Guangdong crafts are well known for being decorative and utilitarian. They demonstrate a unique style, distinct from that of North China. This catalogue presents a selection from the Guangdong Museum collection.
香港:
> This volume documents an exhibition at the University of Hong Kong of presenting 94 representative pieces of crafts selected from the Guangdong Provincial Museum collection, including ceramics, inkstones, embroideries, ivory, stone, brick and wood carvings, enamel wares, glass wares, clocks andfurniture.
> Guangdong, situated in the south of China, has always been a rich province with favorable geographical conditions. It has developed its own unique civilization, both materially and spiritually, since ancient times. The industry, dexterity and ingenuity characteristic of the people of Guangdong have encouraged the creation of exquisite and distinctive handicrafts, full of the spirit of their age. During the Ming dynasty, the development of handicrafts grew alongside that of economy and culture in Guangdong, and continued to flourish in the second half of the Qing dynasty. This had a profound influence on the history of arts and crafts in China.
> The volume aims to promote greater appreciation of the civilization of the Lingnan region in China.
I have just one more fucking surprise. Behold the entire artwork:
http://i.imgur.com/bFANXHJ.jpg?1
Don Thompson wrote an excellent book on the topic: The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art.
TL;DR: contemporary artists (and the prices the successful ones' work commands) aren't discovered, they're manufactured.
Or if you’re interested in the unbelievably fucked up story of Taliesin v1.0, - how he built it for the mistress he abandoned his wife and children for, and oh yeah, how his mistress and her family in turn all got hacked to pieces with an ax by a crazy caretaker who also burned the house down, this is great reading https://www.amazon.com/Death-Prairie-House-Taliesin-Murders/dp/0299222144
An Essential Reading List For Designers
Source: www.tomfaulkner.co.uk
All books have been linked to Amazon for review and possible purchase. Remember to support the authors by purchasing their books. If there are any issues with this listing let me know via comments or pm.
Architecture
Communication Design
Fashion Design
Angela ButtolphEditors of Phaidon ?Furniture Design
Game Design
Graphic Design
Information Design
Industrial Design
(cont'd)
Then my next piece of advice is to learn Rhino. Don't mess with Sketchup or Autocad unless they're stepping stones. Go from Rhino to Revit. It'll be an awkward way of thinking, but you're just preparing yourself for how the industry will change.
Otherwise, I'd highly recommend this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Novel-Tectonics-Jesse-Reiser/dp/1568985541/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398504475&sr=8-1&keywords=atlas+of+novel+tectonics
It might be a little outdated (also pardon the US version of the link), but if you can grasp some of the material in the book, you'll benefit. If you can't, just keep at it. Be observant, be curious, be adventurous, and be original.
As a political theory undergrad who transferred to architecture school because of the fascinating interplay between political structures, power, and the built environment, I have to say your question isn't fluffy at all. Quite a bit of excellent work covers the subject you're exploring.
Sigfried Gideon's Space, Time, and Architecture is a good place to start.
Foucault talks extensively about how liberating machines can be turned into machines of oppression. It's an interview he gave in the 70's (I think), I'll have to look it up when I head home.
The Ethical Function of Architecture discusses how value systems are translated into the built environment.
I think you can easily create an analytic framework that says something along the lines of "the built environment is the political environment, made physical". As another poster suggests, you could look at Speer and Terragni and contrast them with Corbusier, Mies, Rem, and even Vitruvius; you could easily identify departure points where the 'dictators' made aesthetic decisions to re-enforce the hegemony of the state, and the 'democrats' made decisions to promote liberty, the church, capitalism etc.
Dont forget to "do". I wouldn't expect you to sit down and design a piece of architecture then build it, but start experimenting by building your own lamp or chair. Sketch out your idea THEN build it. Make sure you think THEN do. Think then Do. Think then Do. The iterative process is a fundamental action in design.
At the age of 16 you have plenty of time to experiment with what interests you, as you begin to build things you will find interest and a desire to explore the theoretical side of things. It is of the utmost importance to let your hands guide you. All to often (speaking from personal experience) we concern ourselves with the theory of doing, and then we forget to do! Do not forget to do! "Doing" guides the way to knowing. Knowledge comes so much easier if you also apply it.
and now for the theory. I would begin with this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Programs-Manifestoes-20th-Century-Architecture-Conrads/dp/0262530309/ref=sr_1_53?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280602788&sr=1-53
The book contains a wide variety of writings regarding architecture. They are short and to the point. Furthermore the book contains a diverse set of ideas that will help you to find your own interest. The book will act as a guide for further reading! Dont forget to have fun!
It depends on what you consider cheap. Used options for all of these are available at very reasonable prices, though I don't personally think that the new prices are super high, though I do know of the more expensive books you've probably seen like the Wegner book for closer to a hundred.
http://www.amazon.com/Danish-Modern-Andrew-Hollingsworth/dp/1586858114/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450038421&sr=8-1&keywords=danish+modern
http://www.amazon.com/Eames-Gloria-Koenig/dp/3836560216/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450038421&sr=8-3&keywords=danish+modern
http://www.amazon.com/Mid-Century-Modern-Interiors-Furniture-Details/dp/1840914068/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1450038421&sr=8-4&keywords=danish+modern
http://www.amazon.com/Danish-Modern-Beyond-Scandinavian-Heywood-wakefield/dp/0764322168/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1450038421&sr=8-7&keywords=danish+modern
This is the one I would get:
http://www.amazon.com/Scandinavian-Modern-Magnus-England/dp/1849754349/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1450038421&sr=8-5&keywords=danish+modern
I am an architect. I gained my Bachelors from UNM and masters from Rice. I largely focus on theoretical works that incorporate computation and digital fabrication.
I personally think The Fountainhead is a joke. There is nothing in that book that relates to anything truly in Architecture other than using the profession as a tool for her to present her personally skewed views on things. Could have been about a plumber.
If there is a "religious experience" it is in throwing yourself into what you love. But I can't imagine someone stuck detailing windows on four story double loaded corridor apartment buildings having a religious experience...unless it is some sort of pittance.
I would do a lot more investigating into the field. There are many corners of the profession that are all interesting and unique. I would start by visiting some local schools if you happen to be near any. You may be able to have a visit and get a sense of the student commitment and time consumption. Post charette can be a good time to visit and see the chaos in its resultant form and watching students present on little to no sleep.
If Ayn Rand is what is motivating you to get into architecture I would recommend you instead turn to something like, The Atlas of Novel Tectonics and Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities as more appropriate places to begin to understand Architecture from within...at least in its generalized contemporary form.
Atlas of Novel Tectonics
http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Novel-Tectonics-Jesse-Reiser/dp/1568985541
Invisible Cities
http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Cities-Italo-Calvino/dp/0156453800
If these things make you hungrier...keep feeding the investigation.
I think Corbu was the one who was most willing to cut his ties with the past (and the reality). Surely he was influenced by the same kind of vaguely historic esoteric mumbo-jumbo as the nazis, which was fashionable at the time. This is explored in the book "Le Corbusier and the Occult" (http://www.amazon.com/Le-Corbusier-Occult-J-Birksted/dp/B008SLJ496)
Also I think many other modernists were quite profoundly influenced by classisism, Mies & Aalto to name the obvious ones.
Used to be a regional rep for a major fine art auction house.
The reason that the identity of Banksy isn't known is that Banksy is a contrived concept created by a network of art dealers. There doesn't have to actually be a specific person. Yes, someone makes the art (or a group of people), but attributing the work to a particular real-life human being is unnecessary. Pros for the art dealers include not having to pay 50% of the profit to the artist, and the dealers don't have to worry about the issues they've had with other people, like if an artist dies young or creates a PR problem that impedes the market for the product. (Eg: We squeezed works out of people like Jean-Michel Basquiat, but when the guy dies young, it just doesn't pay off like someone who could have produced 10x the amount of work.) Oh, and no...having limited amount of work isn't better in an enormous and hungry world art market.
The movie "Exit Through the Gift Shop" is an extension of this brand. The entire movie is contrived with lots of hints to tell you that "this entire thing is contrived"...hence the name "BANKsy" and the concept that the dealers are directing the buyers like cattle to a purchasing opportunity. The movie was nothing more than a huge advertisement for the brand.
This is what the high-end art business is about. We manufacture "desire" in a variety of different ways (even having art created) and manipulate the buyers to spend as much as possible. I'd be happy to talk more about how this happens, but here are a few resources:
Here's a great book that explains everything.
Here's an article about when the auction houses got caught price fixing. So laughable because it's what we do every day. It's the way the whole system is set up. We're just a little more savvy now.
Yes Is More! is a great book about BIG's practice and projects and is done like a comic book. It does a fantastic job of explaining the developmental process for their projects and how they transitioned into the final designs. Granted this is just one firm and not a great overall educator in architecture but i've always loved Bjarkes style and BIG's way of doing / explaining things.
As an architecture student who asked himself this same question not so long ago I'd say:
The most introductory, simple to understand, first book you should pick up when ready to jump into some actual architecture. This is the book that you need to read even before architecture school, for your entrance test and just because.
This one is also an easy read that will make you realise how important architecture is for us as human beings, as a society, as a city, as a community, as people... how architecture is not just a free standing building by some "starchitect" in a magazine but a part of something bigger. Great read and one of my favourites.
Love him or hate him Le Corbusier changed the world and studying and understanding how and why will greatly help you understand architecture today. This book might be a bit philosophical and theoretical but it's written for people to understand, not just architects. A must read I'd say.
I'd say this is a book you should read to complement and expand on Aldo Rossi's. Genius Loci is the spirit of a place, it's character and distinctive self. Great read.
Great book to understand how Architecture are not just façades and photos but designed spaces and experiences and how we experience them with our senses, the way they make us feel. This book will make you look at architecture from a different perspective, and you will since then experience the world differently.
BONUS:
Hope this helps and gets you started on a good path. :) Have a nice day.
I think your question made sense the first time. Here are some (I haven't read them):
The Psychology of Collecting: Everybody Collects Something, YES You Do https://www.amazon.com/dp/0936760370/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_A6YwDbRJKWPYZ
To Have and to Hold https://www.amazon.com/dp/158567561X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_J8YwDbEPB2DXH
Collecting in a Consumer Society (Collecting Cultures) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0415258480/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_l9YwDb9X62M0W
I can't find any good marketing or trend ones, though. That would be awesome.
Get this book. It's about the architecture of Muhamed Makiya. He stood for the exact opposite of everything Zaha Hadid stands for
If you want improve your skills buy "Design Drawing" by Ching
http://www.amazon.com/Design-Drawing-Francis-D-Ching/dp/0471286540
There are a variety of exercises you can do in there that, without having to explain will bring some real life to a sketch like what is posted.
Also like "Drawing Shortcuts"
http://www.drawingshortcuts.com/drawingshortcuts/Books.html
Enjoy !
This is one of my favorite books right now. very fun book by one of my favorite firms.
Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, and Meaning
A Global History of Architecture
A Visual Dictionary of Architecture
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
Bonus book because I like this firm's concepts:
Yes Is More: An Archicomic on Architectural Evolution - Bjarke Ingels Group
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/3836560216/ref=dp_ob_neva_mobile
I have this on my coffee table.
> The value of a book is in the words within it... But to value an edition of a book merely because it is the first edition of that work published? Why?
You might as well be asking why people have hobbies in the first place. Collecting is an ancient human mania, and book collecting is one of its oldest incarnations.
If you are using a definition of "value" that leaves you asking questions like this, then it is your definition that is at fault. To take a quote from Phillip Blom in his book To Have and To Hold: for a collector, "money is no object, and objects are everything".
I've been collecting J. G. Ballard novels for about a couple of years (have a look through these to see what I'm talking about). I have some first editions, but some of my favourite copies aren't remotely expensive. This 1974 box set of Ballard's early disaster novellas is just about the coolest thing that I own. They they are really just cheap Penguin paper-back editions of some of Ballard's less brilliant works, but I could go on for quite a while about why I love these editions so much. Have a read of this 4000 word essay on them, which does them better justice than I could do.
There is also a misconception regarding first editions in your question. First editions aren't always more valuable, and, at least, they are not valuable for merely being the first edition. They have a tendency to be collector's items because they are typically quite limited in number, and are often significant as historical objects because they represent a state of affairs prior to the book's, and the author's, later notoriety. However, a later edition with good binding and few copies, and perhaps illustrated by a famous name, will often attract a much higher price.
This is the difference between bibliophilia and mere love of reading or love of knowledge. It is the love of a tactile object; a package of its shape, art-work, typography and the world represented by its text. This is the reason why, for example, one reprint of Concrete Island has become particularly essential to collectors, despite it not being particularly expensive or rare.
I completely acknowledge that collecting is obsessive and irrational, but that doesn't stop me from having enormous respect for people like this guy.
I did some research about the Coloring Book piece by Jeff Koons and found this Gale Hart quote:
> Too many artists think the city needs to hand them something,” she said. “A lot of artists have this attitude that they’re special because they make art… There’s not an artist in this town that’s in a place in their career where they deserve $8 million.
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/jeff-koons-coloring-book-sacramento-arena-672608
The value of art is such a perplexing topic to me. For example Matty Mo (LA artist) pulled this stunt at art show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLcfXo_GRSI
AFAIK in the traditional art world, art is valued based on the value of the artist, not on the art itself, but I bet there is more to this that I don't understand. If anyone knows of any literature on the subject pls send my way. I'm going to start with this book: https://www.amazon.com/Million-Stuffed-Shark-Economics-Contemporary/dp/0230620590/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CMFP4F0AWJAPK06B7EAG
Not sure if this is the kind of thing you're talking about, but if they love Mies then they'll love this:
http://www.amazon.com/Mies-van-Rohe-Critical-Biography-ebook/dp/B009PS2L5K/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1449529241&sr=1-3&keywords=mies+van+der+rohe
I would go on Amazon and begin searching for books related to the matter. Obviously look for books with high reviews, but also pay attention to content. For instance, I saw a book on Amazon about the Eames furniture, but it didn't go into any specifics about design... It was mostly published as a picture book.
It sounds like you would be better suited for books that go into details on the design of furniture, not just looking at images that don't really provide much information.
This book and this book seem like helpful resources.
http://www.amazon.com/Lewis-Tsurumaki-Lewis-Opportunistic-Architecture-Paul-Lewis/dp/1568987102
http://www.amazon.com/Lewis-Tsurumaki-Lewis-Intensities-Paul-Lewis/dp/1616890665/ref=pd_sim_b_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=16AHJP8Y1BKQHG9V7315
Currently in architecture school These are two of my favorite books.
There's a huge body of architecture to understand. I would highly suggest to start by reading this book by Jackie Gargus as an introduction to architectural history. Some other fantastic books are:
​
Complexity and Contradiction by Robert Venturi
Towards a new Architecture by Le Corbusier
Modern Architecture: A Critical History by Kenneth Frampton
Space, Time and Architecture by Sigfried Gideon
The Dynamics of Architectural Form by Rudolf Arnheim
​
For more contemporary readings on architecture I would suggest
Red is not a Color by Bernard Tschumi
S, M, L, XL by Rem Koolhaas
​
All of these will lead you to hundreds of more specific papers and discussions surrounding architecture.
Have you ever read Death in a Prairie House? Really interesting book about more than just the architect.
These two books were heavily used at my college. They're pretty useful, specifically for architectural work. They're geared towards creating your own designs, which I would encourage you to try.
http://www.amazon.com/Design-Drawing-Francis-D-Ching/dp/0471286540
http://www.amazon.com/Architecture-Francis-D-K-Ching/dp/0471752169
If you want to learn some of the more technical aspects, particularly perspective drawing, I would recommend taking a course from a local college. It can help you to start off on the right foot. Also, try doing some copy drawings of other artists work, and incorporate elements of their style that you enjoy.
Book: Towards a New Architecture - A collection of essays on said topic, very beautiful!
Movie: [The Debt](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Debt_(2011_film) - Highly recommend this film, it's a great thriller!
Maybe something about Isambard Kingdom Brunel?
https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Days-World-Sarah-Thornton/dp/039333712X
https://www.amazon.com/Million-Stuffed-Shark-Economics-Contemporary/dp/0230620590
these two books will give you a great understanding of modern art.
Yea, I LOVE the Bauhaus - that's what got me thinking about it. Just finished this book [1] on 20th Century architecture which covers a lot of stuff - nearly all it from the Germans. It's a fascinating time!
However, I want something more like this book [2] but for the German history. I can't wait to visit some of the awesome German engineering / science / tech museums.
[1] http://www.amazon.com/Programs-Manifestoes-20th-Century-Architecture-Conrads/dp/0262530309
[2] http://www.amazon.com/American-Genesis-Invention-Technological-Enthusiasm/dp/0226359271/
This episode recommended "Death in a Prairie House: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Murders" for more information on Frank Lloyd Wright's life.
Recommended reading.
Trust me, I'm a witch doctor.
I reorganize my WishLists so often that nothing is really all that ancient. But this book has been sitting there for a while, ignored.
Palladio - The Four Books of Architecture
Vitruvius - the Ten Books of Architecture
da Vignola - Canon of the Five Orders of Architecture
Serlio - on Architecture, Volume 1,2
Right on.
From when I used to teach design studio (2nd year) I looked for and tried to teach a few things.
I just picked up (because this book came out AFTER I stopped teaching) Operative Design and Conditional Design. These would have been amazing to expose my students to as not only options for basic architectural moves but also help with EXPLAINING them and why they did them. Instead I had to rely on Yes is More which is fine but I wanted something slightly more rigorous.
Talk to your university's architectural librarian about ordering them if they don't have it. My experience has been very good in asking the librarian to order books. They usually have a budget each cycle and appreciate suggestions.
Good luck!
I can't be THAT smart, because I can't tell for sure if your comment is sincere or you're being a smart-arse :)
I'm an architect, I know stuff, but can't possibly pretend to know everything in the field- it is vast, so you never stop learning.
There's a lot of good online resources if you just want to look at the subject of architecture/ design. Here are just a few for you to check out if you really are interested:
http://www.dezeen.com/
http://archidose.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.designboom.com/
http://bldgblog.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.ilikearchitecture.net/
http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/
http://inhabitat.com/
http://fuckyeahbrutalism.tumblr.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_architecture
http://www.architizer.com/blog/history-of-modern-architecture-through-movies/
Also, Some Great Books:
http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Architecture-Critical-History-Edition/dp/0500203954
http://www.amazon.com/Towards-New-Architecture-Dover/dp/0486250237/ref=pd_sim_b_7
http://www.amazon.com/101-Things-Learned-Architecture-School/dp/0262062666/ref=pd_sim_b_5
Non-mobile: this book
^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?
Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis: Opportunistic Architecture.
My studio prof thinks this is the best book about architecture. Ordered one several days ago; my copy is in the mail.
link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1568987102