Books

Architecture & Design Books

Minimum [ABRIDGED]
John Pawson
Copyright 1998 Phaidon Press Inc.

John Pawson is an architect from England who has a passion for simple (though not simplistic) design. His designs are extremely minimal, and yet they possess more character than many typical buildings today. As an architecture student at Viginia Tech, I was lucky enough to hear him speak, and I nearly went to England to study under him based on that lecture. I highly recommend this book!

The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live
Sarah Susanka, Kira Obolensky (Contributor)
Copyright 1998 Taunton Pr

This is a MUST-READ for anyone who designs homes. If you think you may ever build a home for yourself, read this first! Today's homes are monuments to wasted space; this book takes a stand against volume at the expense of character, livability, and usable space. All of my ideas of home design were turned upside down when I read this book for the first time.

S,M,L,XL
Rem Koolhaas, Bruce Mau
Copyright 1998 Penguin USA

Amazon.com's top selling architecture book, this book has quickly become a "must-have" for every architect's library. S, M, L, XL contains essays, manifestos, diaries, fairy tales, travelogues, a cycle of meditations on the contemporary city, and complex illustrations with work produced by Koolhaas's Office for Metropolitan Architecture over the past 20 years.

Design Literacy: Understanding Graphic Design
Steven Heller, Karen Pomeroy (Contributor)
Copyright 1997 Watson-Guptill Pubns

A guide to graphic design, complete with object lessons examining graphic design works and their contexts.

Frank O. Gehry: The Complete Works
Francesco Dal Co, et al
Copyright 1997 Monacelli Press

Frank Gehry, like Calatrava, is among the worlds most interesting architects working today.

The Geography of Nowhere: The Rise and Decline of America's Man-Made Landscape
James Howard Kunstler
Copyright 1994 Touchstone Books

This manifesto decries the growth of suburbia, the enemy of many architects, and discusses several reasons why the sprawl is continuing.

Paul Rand is the graphic artist responsible for many of the logos we all recognize instantly, such as UPS and ABC. This book delves into the man and his works in the graphic design realm.

Katachi: The Essence of Japanese Design
Takeji Iwamiya, Kazuya Takaoka
Copyright 1999 Chronicle Books

This book takes a look at Japanese design; it's beauty, simplicity, and excellent workmanship.

A book without words, it is filled with intriguing images that can help inspire your design mind.

New York 1880 : Architecture and Urbanism in the Gilded Age
Robert A. M. Stern, et al
Copyright 1999 Monacelli Press

A look at New York during the year 1880, this book offers a view of New York long forgotten.

This is a book that has inspired many an architect. Decades after it's initial publication, this book still is among the best sellers in architectural bookstores today.