As much as I love being around good architectural buildings --because not every building is 'architecture'-- and not to mention how they have helped me to pave the path of “love what you do, do what you love”, my admiration for good architecture was taken further by the first architectural novel (and the longest one yet, Atlas Shrugged is still a W.I.P. ) Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. No matter how controversial that book turned out to be and the amount of dirty politics, jealousy, rage and cynicism that book has, but to me Fountainhead remains one of the amazing books I’ve ever read. I completely was in awe with how Rand’s managed to produce such magic with just a pen and type-writer and the way she described every situation, paying attention to every detail of the scene and being a romantic that I am, that book was as amazing as savoring a nice cup of coffee, the kind which doesn’t need any sweetener, you know what I mean? So for now let’s leave Ayn Rand for a bit and come back to what I intended to write. I’ll save Rand’s novels for some other blog.
And for those of you who haven't yet found the love for books, here's a little story:
Honestly, being a true lover of drawing and painting, I as a kid used to hate books (except coloring books), I did not understand their relevance because books then were directly related to exams and who anyway likes exams? I did not find anything in them in which I could color, and 'texts' seemed like a bland supper served to my eyes; until one fine day, I came across a novel in 7th grade and finished reading it. Finishing the first book of your life is one of the biggest challenges but once you finish reading it, you understand what power a book holds. So for the starters, start with the thinnest book, take baby steps and rest will follow.
This piece is about 10 canonical books in architecture that have been ever written, I won’t say that they are a must read, (even if I feel like screaming “Fellas! You should read all of them!!”) but if you are a person who loves architecture which is beyond the mere functions, a primordial attribute of a building, a person who looks beyond the need of architecture to be practical enough so that it could be built because in my opinion architecture resides in the very diagram, or if you are a person who loves architecture that is narrative-loaded, has several layers of meanings and frames, then say no more! I won’t keep this suspense any longer and straight away dive into the core.
Here’s a list of not-so-conventional architectural books that will take your love for this discipline further, I have written a little description for each of them which explains why I personally liked these books. Let's get going!
1. Architecture of Happiness - Alain De Botton
I started reading Architecture of Happiness while I was in a dilemma about the past, especially about the different styles and history of western architecture (t.b.h. architecture in general). Before reading this book I have been confused about how a certain style of architecture evolves into a new one, basically what it takes and how the thought process goes in the architects' mind which leads into an evolution and sometimes revolution too. Alain De Botton simply explains it in this book and more over I love the way he romanticizes about architecture. I feel like revisiting the book now that I am writing about it. It's a wonderful compilation of the things we as an architect keep wondering and helps us moving forward with our thoughts. It talks about what style should we build, what are the virtues of buildings, what are the ideals of home, the book combines history and psychology of architecture and it really does change the way we perceive things like buildings, street, a sofa, a wall around us. For the beginners to the people who are mid-way of the field, this book is a pleasurable read.
2. Letters to a Young Architect - Christopher Charles Benninger
This book caught my attention for what was written on the very first page "Architecture is a curious craft. One structure may follow all of the laws of design, yet be worthless, while still another may break all the principles and be profound! A building may be bad without doing anything wrong, while yet another work may have to sin against architecture to reach perfection!"
Also while reading this book I realized no matter what sort of architect you would like to call yourself and the niche you choose, one must be open to everything that has been ever written in architecture, both in terms of buildings and texts. I realized how important it is to be a student and absorb what our discipline has to offer. For instance, I feel as an architect I am more inclined towards the Post - Modernist movements but at the same time, I totally agree to the fact the discipline of architecture wouldn't have moved forward if Modernism didn't exist. In addition to modernism, its significance, education system of architecture and the profession, this book teaches to become a good student regardless of what title we hold and what stage we currently are in our lives, the more you know, the more power you have.
3. In Praise of Shadows - Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
So much attention to detail? I have been an admirer of shadow but I didn't know that one could paint so much beauty if one plays with the shadows well, and that is exactly what Tanizaki writes in his book. Regardless of the book length, I love the attention to detail portrayed in 'In the Place of Shadows". I completely was in awe with the Japanese culture that embraces the idea of fastidiousness and for a person like me having an OCD of keeping everything clean and in a particular order, it was a delightful read. More so than anything else, it did change my views towards shadows, dark corners and dim lighting . Here's a little part which took my breath away "....while our paper seems to take it in, to envelope it gently, like the soft surface of a first snowfall. It gives off no sound when it is crumpled or folded, it is quite and pliant to the touch as the leaf of a tree." Now who won't fall in love with such romantic descriptions? I love how the book marvels at the Japanese comprehension of the secrets of shadows, their sensitive use of shadow and light. From the beauty of women's attire to lacquered bowls to niches on the wall, this book describes the intangible connection of Japanese life and shadows to perfection.
4. Ten canonical buildings 1950 - 2000 - Peter Eisenman
Now you know how the title of this piece came around. I think how photographs capture people, good architecture has the ability to capture people inside them too. Architecture is so much about the dialogue it has with you, what it speaks to you and how it unfolds, and what makes architecture good is its conversational quality. I didn't know what power lies in a drawing before I read this book and that thin line which differentiates an artifact as architecture as opposed to mere structural diagram.
10 canonical buildings is by far, the best architectural books I have ever read (thanks to K.), the book can really change how you perceive the spaces, the drawings and the envelopes. Eisenman writes - "...through architecture you get entirely displaced from reality to world of fiction but unlike a novel, you are displayed physically and spatially.", isn't it just wonderful?
I was reading this book while I was travelling to Frankfurt - Paris - Berlin last year and the day I finished reading the chapter "The Deconstruction of the Axis : Daniel Libeskind, Jewish Museum, 1989-1999" was the day I visited that building in person. I believe that visiting that building was an enchanting experience because I read that chapter before. In a nutshell, 10 Canons is a book that highlights what it takes to change the course of architecture, how buildings and texts have a power to do so. Also since I am a huge admirer of Peter Eisenman and his thoughts (especially after reading this book) and like every book is an insight of the author, 10 canonical buildings was like sitting in front of Eisenman and listening to him giving 10 amazing lectures on architecture. So, if you are an architect who wishes to do a world tour which includes visiting the canonical buildings ever built, this book is a must read and if you are a person who is having a little-less-inspired days, give this book a read and thank me and K. later.
5. Delirious New York - Rem Koolhaas
As the name speaks, it is actually a bit difficult to wrap my head around this book and write a small paragraph. Rem Koolhaas' Delirious New York taught me so many things about architecture and the practice in general. I have been fantasizing to visit New York since the day I watched "Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish" (please don't judge me). The first 55-60 pages were difficult to swallow and most of the time, I was like "What is going on?", but I later realized that the initial part of the book primes up your brain and once you enter in a state of wild ecstasy, you get to understand that book better. If you wish to know about the New York City, there's no book better than this, it explains the nature of the city and its architecture to the core. For people who wish to pursue Urban Design DNY is a must read after "Kevin Lynch's Image of the City". The best part of reading this book is when you realize how well suited title Koolhaas to chose. The book embodies the zest, spontaneity, whimsical aspirations, bold moves and everything that defines NYC. If not anything, this books leaves you with an inspiration that everything could be achieved (architecturally).
6. Language of Architecture - Andrea Simitch and Val Warke
"... while architecture transcends building because of its aesthetic aspirations.", the book had me at that phrase. Language of Architecture, describes 26 principles or substances which plays a vital role in architecture, and it's not like any other book with the titles like 100--Things--An--Architect--Must--Know, Top--50--lessons--of--Blah which is more like a dictionary, this book is about the limitless poetics that can be composed in architecture's language. For the students who are pursuing bachelor and diploma courses in architecture, this is a must read book and even if you are a practicing architect this book will mesmerize you. Apart from the main content, the book exposes a bundle of awesome architectural projects and firms, LOA is a well-written book packed with so much knowledge.
To quote the authors "..the book introduces the breadth and depth of the field and it is a subtle reminder of a mine of possibilities." When I read this book, I found the things written in it so valuable that I wanted to learn everything and never forget it, but please don't put yourself through that misery the way I did and later regretted. The more relaxed your mind is, the more it absorbs!
7. Parametricism 2.0 - Wiley's Architectural Design Series
I read this book while writing my dissertation "Confluence of Parametricism and Fabrication" in my 4th Year and before which I didn't really understand Parametricism completely. I read this book along with "Parametric Design for Architecture by Wassim Yabi", "Architecture in Digital Age - Design and Manufacturing by Branko Kolarevic". If you are someone who wishes to know what Parametricism is, its length, breadth and potential projections, this is a perfect book for you. Wiley's Architectural Design - Parametricism 2.0 combines articles which draws a peripheral boundary around the discourse of Parametricism. The book includes articles by Mario Carpo, Patrik Schumacher, Mark Burry, Marc Fornes, Mark Foster Gage, the history, future projections, merits, demerits, and counterpoints. I found this book to be a nice remix of everything related to Parametricism. So people who are doing their thesis, dissertation and research paper, this book is a good fit for you guys.
I currently don't have this book so I couldn't manage to click a picture but here's a link if in case you wish to buy this book:
8. A Question of Qualities - Jeffrey Kipnis
I have revered Kipnis from the times when I watched his lecture series called "Introduction to Architecture" (check out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJfEl6Jhqdk&t=1222s ) and ended up whining and complaining about not having such amazing teachers in our college (no offence). It's been 2 years since I watched that series and I can't stop admiring Kipnis for the way he combines architecture with other disciplines like music, theater, philosophy and I think I started loving jazz music after reading his essays in A Question of Qualities. What I love the most about his book and lectures is how he makes connections and then turns everything back to architecture, it's like a return-air ticket. He sweeps you off your feet and you travel through different disciplines and you have surety that you would always come back to your home - "architecture". I love books that stirs the mind, makes us take notes, reflect and if we pay attention, helps us forming our own projects too. Kipnis' A Question of Qualities is that sort of a book, it displaces you and sometimes the words send shiver through your spine. I adore the arguments put forward through the well-structured 11 essays and their projections. Read it please, will you?
9. Fountainhead - Ayn Rand
Didn't I say enough about this book in the introduction? In a nutshell, I would recommend this book because there is a lot to learn from the protagonist, Howard Roark or perhaps every character portrayed by Rand. Also if you are someone who is a true lover of words and you like to imagine the scene to take the reading experience further, this book won't let you down. Apart from all the controversies, what I personally feel about the book is that it exposes the readers to the truth of power and life and sometimes it is hard to accept it. Someone truly said "We hear what we want to hear" and sometimes when truth doesn't please our ears, controversy arises. Like any other book, this too is an opinion and as Liz Murray once said "One point of view gives a one dimensional world", one must embrace multiple points of view.
10. Complexity and Contradictions in Architecture - Robert Venturi
Complexity and Contradictions in Architecture is one of the few books that truly shifted the course of architecture and I think the ideas around which we currently live, ideas like high - res architecture, killing simplicity, depth architecture, basically everything; this book stimulated so many further discourses regarding architecture. What I love about this book is that it encapsulates the idea of complexity and when I say complexity, I don't mean it in a negative way, I mean the complexity that engenders beauty, say for example the complexity of the human lives, the varied experiences we have, the 60,000 - 80,000 thoughts that crosses our minds everyday, I love that Robert Venturi writes about this richness which exists in our life and how architecture can embrace that. Do you believe that architecture can never escape the architect's expression? like architecture and architect's expression are almost intangible? C&C revolves around the idea of going beyond the idea of "or - either" and embraces the idea of "and - both". Because believe it or not in some way, no building is just a minimal building or a modern building or an organic building, it embodies so many layers and it goes through so much processes and that in itself makes a building an orchestra of varied substances like design decisions, materials, textures, services, climatography and so much more. I remember when I was in my sophomore years, all I related Venturi was with the statement he made "Less is bore", but honestly I did not quite understand why he said it and the ignorant me then thought of it as a fad, but I was amazed after reading few initial pages of the book, I realized the relevance and depth one statement can have. See, the joy of reading architecture is that can seriously damages your ignorance and such destructions are worth a while.
Have you come across any amazing architectural book that you think I must read? Please let me know in the comments or just shoot a DM on Instagram. Let's help each other grow our knowledge bases shall we?
I'll keep you posted once I find the next 10 canonical books!
Until then,
Stay tuned + inspired!
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