Click on any of the images to learn more about the book, or to buy it, on Amazon. If you buy any of these books from this page, I will earn a few pennies.
Architecture
Sara Susanka’s first book, The Not So Big House, started a movement in residential design. She was reacting to the preponderance of McMansions that were taking over the landscape. This is a guide to an approach to house design that reflects how people really live.
I have been recommending this book to clients and friends since it came out. Michael Pollan’s book explores the design and making of a writer’s studio of his own. He explores the entire design process and it’s frustrations and joys. It gives a fun and evocative description of what the process is like.
Remodeling
One of the many follow up books to her first book, the Not So Big Remodeling, explores how to apply the not so big principals to a remodeling project when you are working with an existing building to either add on or remodel. Lots of good ideas.
This is a coffee table book that looks at projects from around the world where home owners and architects have remodeled or expanded older or historic buildings with modern additions. This is a wonderful source of inspiration for addition on to historic buildings with additions that are of our time.
Drawing
This was a required text when I was in college and it is still the best book out there to help you learn how to sketch buildings from life, as well as to explore ideas from your head.
For Kids
A bunch of really fun projects and activities for kids and teens who are interested in architecture. I’ve given this as a gift many times.
Another activity book for kids, mostly younger, who are interested in architecture.
Design
Neil Gaiman is a Renaissance man of sorts. In this collection of essays, he reflects on many subjects, including artists and design. I include this book because it is always good to look outside of our own discipline to see what other creators are doing. It is a great source of inspiration for me to see what others are doing and how they are thinking through design problems of various sorts.
by 