Best book for Architecture

I know this topic has been done many times, but i recently just won a prize for my dt and they get you a book of your choice and print some emblem on it etc etc. I would love it to be a book related to architecture as it would definitely stay with me and not get lost in some box along the way to uni or something. I was just wondering does anyone have any recommendations for like a book that covers EVERYTHING? Or is just a book that architects MUST have or would be like a bible for architecture students at uni.

Any help would be gladly appreciated :smile:

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Reply 1

Secret_F

hum ... archi in Queens .. there are now two of you who are applying there ..

i would suggest space, form and order ... or pattern language ... they are very beginner level, but the understanding of space, and the relationship between architecture and the rest of the world is wildly used through out architects...
i haven't read much about others .. but from what i read these two seemed to jump out my mind ...

as you said bible .. there is one .. it's called architects hand book(blue book).. but i don't think you will find it useful to read it at this stage.. had a scan on the book shelf in Leeds met uni .. looks very technical .. and most of the things are just regulations and things that you needs to look out for while design buildings .. like avoid design buildings that's on the road ... (just to be odd) .. basiclly it's just a guide .. .. but at some point in your life .. you will buy one .. maybe start of the archi course .. maybe the first year out .. but you will eventually need one ..

Reply 2

jrhartley

pattern language is a far better book than ching imho. i think pattern language is invaluable, very easy to dip in and out of, good for urbanism as much as planning a single building.

Reply 3

Hispanic-Impressions

Are you lot talking about this book:

?

I need more archi books. Mmh.

Reply 4

Secret_F

yeah that book .. i'm looking to get my hand on one copy too ... but at the moment 3 copies library got is all out .. reserved one for next week ... at the moment just short of cash to buy books ..

Reply 5

samsonlcy

hey, the best book will be 'The History of Art' by EH Gombrich .

The title might not sound relevent but it is the absolute must have for beginners. ( i dont know how much you actually know) Has everything you need to know about how art and architecture evolve through time etc. been reprinted for over 12 times i think...

Also, another one is 'The Phaidon Atlas of Contemporary World Architecture '
£100 to buy but has every single building in the world. Some books have one on display for you to browse through.

Reply 6

loveness

ooh okay, hmm I'll look into all of them..thanks :] anymore? haha i think it would be between a patten language and story of art though i might get patten language for the prize thing and just buy a copy of Gombrich's as its not too expensive. Thanks again

Reply 7

Secret_F

..grr ... why did you get the prize not me? ... need a copy of that booook :frown:

Reply 8

samsonlcy

actually, 'story of art' was the book I got for my prize :p:

Reply 9

Dust-

My lecturer is pretty keen on a book called "Lessons for Students in Architecture" by Herman Hertzberger, (maybe some other people have a different opinion on it?), I'm reading it at the minute and it's quite interesting and covers a big range. It is mostly about the way spaces are used and how the design of a space can be beneficial or to the detriment of its function.

Reply 10

morethanstars

I've just finished reading "From Bauhaus to our house" and found it really interesting! I only chose it cos I thought it had a clever title xD

Reply 11

wackysparkle

it's not a resource book considering creativity and not by any means a reference guide on what's top (design wise) in Architecture, but it most certainly every students friend:
An Architect's pocket book - it has all the details that you would need when considering design something, e.g. the size of a tread, the symbols for plans, sections and elevations on building features and it even has the measurements of the human body (male and female) concerning reach to certain shelves, room in front for leg space when watching TV.

Reply 12

jrhartley

much better than architect's pocket book is neufert's architects data. much more comprehensive and plenty of layout examples for most building types. its about 5 times bigger than baden powell though in every direction, so one for your desk, not your bag.

Reply 13

wackysparkle

Is it good for plans/sections and elevations? - coz I sometimes need help when dealing with those for presentation of stairs e.t.c.

Reply 14

jrhartley

yeah, its pretty decent, it has axos and 2 point perspectives as well. its about 630 a4 pages, so its quite comprehensive. we were told most professional architects have a copy in their desk that they secretly always refer to, so its one of those investment books that you can keep falling back on. i find the architect's pocket book isn't really comprehensive enough, and, as you say, most things are shown in plan (or worse, just in the text).

Reply 15

wackysparkle

agree with you concerning the pocket book - just have it for convenience really :wink:

This book sounds like the one my friend was on about - her dad is an architect and had recommended getting it, like you said for 'investment' purposes.

Might consider it once I check my bank account :p:

Reply 16

samsonlcy

'S,M,L,XL' is 50 quid to buy but I flicked through it in the bookshop and it seems quite good, has anyone got it? is it worth buying or is it a borrowing book?

Reply 17

Secret_F

S,M,L,XL...
read it .. didn't understand much .. so i gave up .. firstly is because it is a frnech copy ... had to translate most of the things on the internet .. (it's an electronic copy) .. but still the translator don't make much sense.... which computer could be more powerful

Reply 18

samsonlcy

how did u get an electronic copy!?!?!? could you possible find an english one because I flicked through it and it looks very good. esp. the stuff on Singapore

Reply 19

Secret_F

alot of chinese forum have books .... as electronic copy ... i get most of my books from there .. it's quick and easy to download .. not sure you will be able to get it in English ..but last time i got an English/Chinese translated copy of some books by F.DK.Ching
if you look hard enough i think you could .. but it seemed to me that electronic books are not very popular over here so not alot of forum own them..google book has some full versions of book online for example the "lessons for students of architecture" (might have the name wrong) .. it's a really great way to save money
and also you don't needs to que for the book when you need it from the library when doing project of some sort. however it do take you some time to find a working version of the download because it's not just simply Word doc or txt file ... it will be some thing wired like .xb or some thing... just keep your eye on the file if you ever attempt to download thous things .. avoid virus ...