Top Ten Books for Architecture

Top Ten Books for Architecture
(And How to Use Them)

What are the top ten books an architect should read? What is the most important knowledge for an architect to possess? More importantly, how do architects use books in their design process? What do architects think about?

Part 1: Commodity Firmness and Delight: Three Forms of Knowledge

Vitruvius the Roman architect, in The Ten Books on Architecture wrote that architecture is a coming together of three things commodity, firmness, and delight. (The Latin was firmitas, utilitas, venustas) To use contemporary language we would say architecture is composed of structure, utility, and art.

Part 2: Top Ten Books on Architecture

10. History:
Modern Architecture Since 1900, William J. R. Curtis
Honorable Mentions:
Graphic History of Architecture, John Mansbridge, 1967/1999

9. Concepts and Principles:
Architecture: Form, Space, and Order, Francis Ching, 1979/1996

8. Theory:
The Production of Space, Henri Lefebvre, 1992
Honorable Mentions:
Body, Memory, and Architecture, Bloomer & Moore, 1977

7. Art and Artists:
Two Worlds of Andrew Wyeth, A Conversation with Andrew Wyeth, Thomas Hoving, 1978
Honorable Mentions:
The Great Age of British Watercolors 1750-1880, Wilton and Lyles, 1983

6. Architecture and Architects:
I disegni di Carlo Scrpa per Castelvecchio

5. Structure and Engineering:
Simplified Engineering for Architects and Builders, Parker /Ambrose, 2011 (1940s)

4. Practice:
The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, AIA, 2002
Honorable Mentions:
How to Start and Operate Your Own Design Firm, A Guide for Interior Designers and Architects, Rubeling, 1994/2007

3. Graphic Standards:
Architectural Graphic Standards, Ramsey/Sleeper,

2. Code Books

1. Towards a New Architecture, Le Corbusier, 1936

Part 3: The Big Three and Design in the Design Process

From this reading list we can see there are three forms of knowledge an architect must assemble to create a project; objective knowledge, social knowledge, and subjective knowledge.

[Dageka]

As neither an architect, designer nor an artist, but someone that has an interest in those fields, I have to say that your channel is fucking awesome! I found this video through the algorithm, which means that probably a lot of other people will see this video sooner or later. You deserve more views.

[ronelson]

A great list…! One of my favorite books from school, and still to this day, is ‘A Pattern Language’ by Christopher Alexander.

[kevinalbarracin]

Finding this channel has been the best thing for my path to becoming an architect. Although I'm an industrial designer, I discovered a passion for architecture during my last year of university. So, I'm studying on my own through practice, lectures, and work.

[levlad]

Of all the architects who have yoututbe channels, I found your book recommendation the most useful. You weren't showing random portfolios from big architecture firms rather you followed both a practical and artistic approach to share your knowledge with us. Hope you do a similar video on urbanism as well. Thank you for your time.

[Spirale]

Happy to have had your channel pop up on my front page! What a gift. I'm studying architecture and its great to be able to revisit these topics in well produced, digestible, easily accessible videos. Thank you! I hope you keep the content coming.

[MindaDiaz]

I use "Time Saver Standards, " "Visual Dictionary of Architecture" by D.K. Ching and "Architectural Graphic Standards" by Ramsey Sleeper but i use the 1970's edition. It's the best version i read so far. Time Saver Standards is the most expensive book of the three.

[XYZ-Drafting_and_Designs]

Extremely resfreshing to hear your insights and share your list of books. I struggle with the design process but have always had an artistic streak. Thank you for making this video. I now have a starting point.

[Kim-learns-to-fly]

Thank you! This was such a comprehensive list, I love that it was split into categories, that made it super helpful ✨

[miguelmoncloacastillo]

Juhani Pallasmaa's "The Thinking Hand"

[markstrain]

I love books and I love architecture, art, and design, so this is an awesome list and I intend to get several of them, including some of the HM's. Thank you.

[gingerbreadzak]

00:30 📚 Architecture is based on three forms of knowledge: commodity (structure), firmness (utility), and delight (art).
02:43 🏛 "History of Modern Architecture since 1900" is a crucial textbook for understanding modern architecture.
03:10 📖 "Graphic History of Architecture" is a great introductory book on the history of architecture with key concepts.
03:38 📐 "Concepts and Principles: Architecture Form Space and Order" is recommended for first-year architecture students.
05:01 🏙 "The Production of Space" explores how social forces, not just architects, shape the built environment.
06:48 🤔 Develop your own architectural theories and ideas instead of relying solely on others.
07:02 🎨 Drawing inspiration from fine arts, like Andrew Wyeth, can influence architectural design.
09:36 🛠 "Engineering for Architects and Builders" simplifies structural engineering with basic math.
10:43 💼 "The Architect's Handbook of Professional Practice" is essential for understanding the business and project management side of architecture.
11:35 📐 "Architectural Graphic Standards" is a reference book for architectural details and design.
12:42 📖 Architects must study building codes thoroughly to meet legal requirements.
13:52 🏗 "Towards a New Architecture" by Le Corbusier is a highly influential book that changed the approach to modern architecture.

[urielcontrerasvaldez]

You realy made me understand arquitecture. Thanks

[crissudaria]

You are an inspiration and a motivator. Your insights are beneficial to this age. I've been loving all your insightful videos!

[Turky-Alkadi]

This video was so inspiring and useful to me as urban planner !!!

[sukhrajssehgal]

Firstly, thank you so much for these recommendations!
In my view, Architecture of Happiness by Alain De Botton, is another good book that architects must read.

[andrewashdown]

Bannister Fletcher: A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method
Ernst Neufert: Architects' Data
Clough Williams-Ellis: Building in Cob, Pisé and Stabilized Earth
Maxwell Fry & Jane Drew: Village Housing in the Tropics
HB Cresswell: The Honeywood File
Sigfried Giedion: Space, Time and Architecture

[ofhsxsd]

Thank you for your great videos ! (Please try and show an equal amount / or more of women as being 'working architects' )

[queenmab]

Loving this!!! Please tell me you have something, or will make something on MC Escher 😄

[yinxyt]

great video and amazing channel!
please upload more content. thank you!

[islandersean]

Great share, Robert you should do a video about your own design project and your design philosophy.