The beginning titles listed below largely came from my entry into architecture school, and assigned readings. This entire list stems from these beginnings. If anyone is curious about history, or would like a deeper understanding of proportion, reason, and the progression of why architecture is the way that it is – history & theory books are the place to start.
Check out the other tabs for the rest of my library:
A basic staple of architecture education, I read this taking the Architecture 100 lecture class. This book serves as a primer for understanding of the history of the profession and an understanding of the influences of classical techniques and style that extend from thousands of years ago to today.
This is another primer on architectural history, that was at the front end of my library and education. written by John Ruskin who was considered the foremost authority on architectural history in the 1800s.
I have the hardcover version of this – also purchased as part of my ARCH100/101 education. Wittkower explores Palladio & Alberti and their dedication to find the harmony of nature expressed in proportions in their works.
Another of my textbooks and part of a two-volume set, this book is a survey covering American architecture from Jamestown to the American Revolution.
Book II in the collection covering the growth and development of America’s built environment and the stylistic progression of architecture.
Curtis has written a fantastic and well-structured book on architectural history. Often assigned reading for courses across the country – its well deserved for his detailed study of the buildings covered. I’m glad to have purchased this one.
Containing 6 different ‘paper architecture’ projects from young architects, (1972-1988) that would reach levels of international fame (Rem Koolhaas and Elia Zenghelis, Peter Eisenman, Bernard Tschumi, Daniel Libeskind and Thom Mayne) with introductory and commentaries on each of the projects by Jeffrey Kipnis and Terence Riley.
A collection of essays and excerpts from 48 pivotal writings on architectural theory in the late 20th Century, and offered chronologically by the year the articles were written – you can track theoretical thought and reflection of architecture over 30 years. If you’re looking for a deep dive & intellectual discourse on architectural theory – I recommend it.
I picked this up from the architecture school bookstore as well. Not as dense as ‘Since 68’, it covers a lot in the modern and postmodern realms of architecture. It’s a great tool to explore creating from a more phenomenological approach to design.
Le Corbusier’s book is one of those essential library items that’s an essential read. Whether you agree or disagree with the answers he poses to his questions – its a great addition to any architect or historians bookshelf.
In an effort to get a greater understanding of deconstruction, I turned to Mark Wigely’s (GSAPP Dean) to bridge between philosophy & design. Its a great read and lead to further studies of Derrida, Heideger, Gilles Deleuze and others.
I picked this up from the architecture school bookstore around 1998. Published in 1980, its now a ‘classic’ but its a great read on architectural theory and the relationships between people and the places they inhabit.
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