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Best Architecture Books

These top architectural tomes shape the contours of design and building philosophy. Their repeated appearance in respected architectural reviews and publications confirms their authority and influence in the world of architecture.

Recommendations from 66 articles, Emma Watson, Mark Cuban, Jesse Williams and 61 others.
Best Architecture Books
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Architecture book cover
Architecture
Form, Space, & Order
Francis D. K. Ching - 1996-01-01 (first published in 1979)
Goodreads Rating
Learn the basics of architectural design vocabulary with this classic reference guide. This updated and revised Fourth Edition delves into the fundamental elements of space and form, encouraging critical thought to promote a deeper understanding of architecture. Explore the concepts of form and space in relation to light, view, openings, and enclosures, and discover the elements and relationships of circulation, proportion, and scale. Detailed illustrations bring difficult abstractions to life, revealing the relationships between architecture through the ages and across cultures. Plus, access the online Interactive Resource Center for additional resources!
101 Things I Learned in Architecture School book cover
101 Things I Learned in Architecture School
Matthew Frederick - 2007-08-31 (first published in 2006)
Goodreads Rating
This book offers 101 concise lessons on design, drawing, and the creative process, from the basics of "How to Draw a Line" to the complexities of color theory. Written for students of architecture and young designers, each lesson is presented in a two-page format with an illustration, making it an easy-to-read primer in architectural literacy. Whether you're navigating the design studio or looking for inspiration to solve a complex design problem, this book is a must-have for your backpack or studio.
Peter Zumthor Thinking Architec book cover
Peter Zumthor Thinking Architec
Princeton Arch Staff - 2006-06-01 (first published in 1998)
Goodreads Rating
"Thinking Architecture" by Peter Zumthor is a collection of essays that sheds light on the architect's approach to designing buildings that evoke emotions and possess a distinct personality. Zumthor believes that designing a building that connects with life requires a deeper understanding of form and construction. This newly expanded edition includes three new essays, beautiful color photos of Zumthor's home and studio, and a fresh typography design. Discover the motivations and methods of one of the world's most renowned architects in "Thinking Architecture."
Towards a New Architecture book cover
Towards a New Architecture
Le Corbusier - 1985-02-01 (first published in 1923)
Goodreads Rating
This book by a Swiss-born architect explores the art and spirit of architecture beyond mere utilitarian needs. It includes technical and aesthetic theories, views on industry and economics, and much more. The author designed some of the most memorable buildings of the 20th century, and presents his ideas in a pithy style with provocative observations. The book is profusely illustrated with over 200 line drawings and photos. It's indispensable reading for architects, city planners, and cultural historians looking to explore innovative theories in architecture.
Building Construction Illustrated book cover
Building Construction Illustrated
Francis D. K. Ching - 2000-10-02 (first published in 2014)
Goodreads Rating
This updated manual on residential and light construction techniques is presented by a professional architect. It covers topics such as environmentally friendly materials, latest technology data, energy efficiency, natural lighting, and masonry. The book includes over 100 line drawings.
Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture book cover
Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture
Robert Venturi - 1977-01-01 (first published in 1957)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the postmodern rebellion against modernist purism in this essential document of architectural literature. Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture is a gentle manifesto for a more nuanced approach to architecture, expressed in the most compelling and original terms. Discover the author's ideas on architecture through 350 historical comparisons, beautifully illuminated with architectural photographs. Winner of the Classic Book Award, this remarkable book has been translated into 16 languages.
The Architecture Reference & Specification Book book cover
The Architecture Reference & Specification Book
Everything Architects Need to Know Every Day
Julia McMorrough - 2013-08-01
Goodreads Rating
This updated and revised edition of The Architecture Reference & Specification Book is an essential guide for architects planning and executing projects of all sizes. It distills thousands of pages of architectural standards into an easy-to-use reference, covering the most indispensable types of architectural information. Compact and portable, it's the perfect companion for architects on the go. This book is part of the Reference & Specification Book series from Rockport Publishers, offering vital information for creative professionals in a concise handbook format.
The Architecture of Happiness book cover
The Architecture of Happiness
Alain de Botton - 2006-10-03
Goodreads Rating
Discover how the quality of our environment affects our happiness and potential with this thought-provoking read. In "The Architecture of Happiness," the author explores how design and architecture can shape who we are and our sense of well-being. This book challenges the idea that aesthetics are frivolous, arguing that architecture should remind us of our full potential. Take a tour of the philosophy and psychology of architecture and gain a new perspective on the places we call home.
The Death and Life of Great American Cities book cover
The Death and Life of Great American Cities
Jane Jacobs - 2002-09-10 (first published in 1961)
Goodreads Rating
Discover a powerful critique of urban planning in The Death and Life of Great American Cities, a groundbreaking book that has set the standard in the field since its publication in 1961. In clear and vivid prose, Jane Jacobs explores the key elements of a safe and thriving neighborhood, from the role of local businesses to the dangers of unchecked development. This seminal work offers an essential framework for evaluating the health and vitality of any city, and a critique of short-sightedness that remains relevant today.
Modern Architecture Since 1900 book cover
Modern Architecture Since 1900
William J. R. Curtis - 1996-06-27 (first published in 1982)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the history and evolution of modern architecture since 1900 in this contemporary classic. Experience a worldwide perspective that seamlessly brings together technical, social, and intellectual advancements to provide a comprehensive narrative that contextualizes the examination of buildings. Third edition includes expanded coverage of recent world architecture and new material. Described as "immeasurably the finest work covering this field in existence" by Harvard University's James Ackerman.
Yes is More. An Archicomic on Architectural Evolution by Taschen
Vitruvius by Vitruvius
The Language of Architecture by Andrea Simitch
A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander
The Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard
Delirious New York by Rem Koolhaas
A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia Savage McAlester
S M L XL by Rem Koolhaas
Archidoodle by Steve Bowkett
World Architecture by Will Pryce
In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki
The Eyes of the Skin by Juhani Pallasmaa
The Works by Kate Ascher
Architects' Data by Ernst Neufert
A Visual Dictionary of Architecture by Francis D. K. Ching
The Image of the City by Kevin Lynch
Architectural Graphics by Francis D. K. Ching
Modern Architecture by Kenneth Frampton
Architectural Graphic Standards by American Institute of Architects
The Four Books on Architecture by Andrea Palladio
Experiencing Architecture by Steen Eiler Rasmussen
Rem Koolhaas. Elements of Architecture by Rem Koolhaas
Architecture by Daniel Borden
The New Old House by Marc Kristal
Architecture by Marvin Trachtenberg
Detail in Contemporary Timber Architecture by Virginia McLeod
Archi-Graphic by Frank Jacobus
Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King
The Future of Architecture in 100 Buildings by Marc Kushner
Why Architecture Matters by Paul Goldberger
Ballpark by Paul Goldberger
The BLDG BLOG Book by Geoff Manaugh
The Architecture of the City by Aldo Rossi
Architect and Entrepreneur by Eric W Reinholdt
Seeking New York by Tom Miller
The Architecture of Community by Leon Krier
Architectural Detailing by Edward Allen
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty
Cradle to Cradle by Michael Braungart
Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
Atmospheres by Peter Zumthor
The Story of Buildings by Patrick Dillon
Operative Design by Anthony di Mari
Constructing Architecture by Andrea Deplazes
Design Like You Give a Damn by Kate Stohr
Introduction to Architecture by Francis D. K. Ching
The Architecture Of Light by Sage Russell
The Architecture of Madness by Carla Yanni
Understanding Architecture by Leland Roth
Architecture As Space by Bruno Zevi
St. Petersburg by Dmitri O. Shvidkovsky
Sustainable Design by David Bergman
Architecture According to Pigeons by Speck Lee Tailfeather
Art and Architecture in Mexico by James Oles
Architecture's Odd Couple by Hugh Howard
Learning From Las Vegas by Robert Venturi
Detail in Contemporary Residential Architecture 2 by David Phillips
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Programs and Manifestoes on 20th-Century Architecture by Ulrich Conrads
Collage city by Colin Rowe
The Architecture Student's Handbook of Professional Practice by American Institute of Architects
Encyclopedia of Detail in Contemporary Residential Architect by Virginia McLeod
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Design Drawing by Francis D. K. Ching
A Global History of Architecture by Francis D. K. Ching
BIG. HOT TO COLD. An Odyssey of Architectural Adaptation by Taschen
Architecture by Jonathan Glancey
Forensic Architecture by Eyal Weizman
Tadao Ando by Tadao Ando
The Man in the Glass House by Mark Lamster
The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice by American Institute of Architects
Architectural Acoustics by David Egan
Sketching for Architecture + Interior Design by Stephanie Travis
Architecture of First Societies by Mark M. Jarzombek
Architecture of the Sun by Thomas S. Hines
Dictionary of Architecture and Construction by Cyril Harris
Architecture by Clois E. Kicklighter Ed. D.
City on a Hill by Alex Krieger
How to Read Churches by Denis R. McNamara
Architecture and Disjunction by Bernard Tschumi
Fundamentals of Building Construction by Edward Allen
Architecture in Italy, 1400-1500 by Ludwig H. Heydenreich
Architectures of Spatial Justice by Dana Cuff
Architecture After Modernism by Diane Ghirardo
Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann
Walkable City by Jeff Speck
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Robert Petkoff, Donna Dale Carnegie, Simon & Schuster Audio
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple