Architectural structure and design Books

"With an artistic mindset, we don't always draw what we can't see. And because we don't draw it, we can't fully understand it." - Kurt OferTo challenge this restricted outlook, architect Kurt Ofer has formulated an utterly unique way of drawing, which...

Trees have been deliberately connected with houses since they were introduced as a prominent part of architectural design. The relationships of contiguity between houses and trees have existed since ancient times. However, at the end of the 19th century...

Ambiguous Territory brings together the work of over forty architects, landscape architects, artists, and historians engaged in an exploration of art and design's place in a time of environmental uncertainty and existential threat. Conceived in both...

An in-depth look at how tent cities and containers could possibly be the best short-term housing solution for displaced persons.In common with politicians, architects were caught unawares by the largest wave of migration since the end of the Second World...

For long, spatial design has been seen as an action that could be performed by people and for people only. And today, even though some of the most meaningful projects of our times seem to challenge this concept, qualitative researches still struggle to...

As climate, culture, and technology evolve and become increasingly unpredictable, architecture's stasis becomes more incongruous. Werewolf explores an emerging but under-investigated branch of architecture that embraces the transformation of form,...

The work of [STRANG] is beautifully explored in this robust monograph which highlights the firm's site-specific and climate-driven designs. The ability to create stunning architectural designs while maintaining an acute awareness of the surrounding...

How do we make sense of the Earth at a moment in which it is presented in crisis? Geostories is a manifesto for the environmental imagination that renders sensible the issues of climate change and through geographic fiction invites readers to relate to...

Authorship critically examines emergent themes in contemporary architecture by revisiting the seemingly defunct notion of design authorship. As we revel in the death of the master architect, how do we come to terms with the shifting role of creativity in...

This book showcases cutting-edge research on city form revealing that urban design features such as topology, morphology, entropy and scale have massive implications to the quality of life for a city's residents.The Aretian team, a spin off company from...

The book submits that a deep study of legacy material artifacts, through the lens of contemporary digital design can constitute a valuable bridge between design history and contemporary creative practice. Systems Upgrade focuses on an investigation into...

After 40 years of professional experience developed in three areas of work -City-Territory, Landscape-Public Space and Building-, Batlle i Roig acquires a new commitment and positions itself in the face of the climate emergency, generating a...

This catalogue shows the exhibition The making of making (architecture) by MIAS architects, exhibited at the Design Museum of Barcelona.The exhibition analyses the design processes of MIAS studio, founded by Josep Mis in 2000 and proposes a route for the...

How to Achieve Style and SustainabilityGreen Interior Designis the most comprehensive guide to sustainable building, designing, and decorating on the market. This beautifully illustrated guide covers every detail of your home - from the drywall to the...

How the mindset of traditional Japanese society can guide our own efforts to lead a green lifestyle today.If we want to live sustainably, how should we feel about nature? About waste? About our forests and rivers? About food? Just Enough is a book of...

The traditional American devices contained in this intriguing compilation date from an era long before milking machines, pesticide sprayers, and industrial hay bailers. Yet the simple inventions described for doing everything from managing young bulls to...

Leading scholars historicise and theorise technology's role in architectural design.Although the question of technics pervades the contemporary discipline of architecture, there are few critical analyses on the topic. Design Technics fills this gap,...

Most people use nail polish remover to remove nail polish. They use coffee grounds to make coffee and hair dryers to dry their hair. The majority of people may also think that the use of eggs, lemons, mustard, butter, and mayonnaise should be restricted...

Learn the logistics of choosing windows, insulation, appliances, and lighting. Find out about FSC certified wood and about using reclaimed materials. Here is everything you need to make your home sustainable.Whether the reader is building a new home or...

A continuation of Lloyd Kahn's journeys into the creative processes of owner-built homes - their innovative techniques, use of sustainable materials, and essential dedication to the natural elements surrounding their designs...

This is a thorough, non-technical handbook and guide to the basics of septic systems - the physical process that takes place in the septic system and the simple technology needed to make it work. Emphasis is on conventional...

Grow vegetables year-round in a greenhouse powered only by solar energy Originally developed in China to feed millions, Chinese greenhouses are earth-sheltered, solar-heated, east-west oriented, intelligently glazed, and well-insulated. They have proven...

Simple green roof design and installation for the do-it-yourself builder Essential Green Roof Construction is a comprehensive, in-depth guide to building simple green roofs for houses and small buildings. Packed with detailed photos, illustrations, case...

The devil is in the details - the science and art of designing and building durable, efficient, straw bale buildings Straw bale buildings promise superior insulation and flexibility across a range of design aesthetics, while using a typically...

Natural plasters made of clay, lime, and other materials mixed with sand are beautiful building finishes. Fun to work with, low-impact, and allowing infinite creativity, they are high performance and provide proven, centuries-long durability.Yet until...

Earthbag construction - building with polypropylene bags usually filled with earthen materials - is a versatile, easy-to-master, low-impact, and highly durable form of building, suitable for structures from houses to root cellars.Containing over 75...

Design your own sustainable homeMany people dream of building a beautiful, environmentally friendly home. But until now there has been no systematic guide to help potential builders work through the complete process of imagining, planning, designing, and...

The completely revised and updated comprehensive guide to small wind energy systems. Skyrocketing energy costs and constant reminders of the impacts of conventional energy sources are making homeowners and businesses look at different ways to use energy...

Fresh, local nutrient-dense fruits vegetables are hard to find in winter in cold climates. Growing warm-weather crops like tomatoes, bananas, avocados, and other perennials is nearly impossible using conventional structures. The solution for millions of...

Hempcrete is a versatile, energy-efficient natural insulation material, useful for walls, roofs, and floors. Made from the inner stem of the hemp plant mixed with a lime-based binder, it is a very strong, lightweight and breathable alternative to...

Japan is equally as well known for its ecologically-sensitive traditional homes as it is for cutting-edge, green technology. Eco Living Japan presents 19 contemporary Japanese houses which exemplify the most recent trends in sustainable design in Japan...

Sustainable Luxury presents twenty-seven recent residential projects created by Singapore's most talented architects to address the urgent challenges of sustainability. Singapore is a prosperous, forward-looking nation that is...

The first comprehensive account of how and why architects learned to communicate through colour.Architectural draw traces the use of colour in European architectural drawings and prints, revealing how this phenomenon reflected the professional anxieties...

This lavishly illustrated volume is the first major global history of ornament from the Middle Ages to today. Crossing historical and geographical boundaries in unprecedented ways and considering the role of ornament in both art and architecture,...

"Architect and author Chuck Durrett's recently released book Senior Cohousing Handbook comes at a time of high interest in greening, sustainable housing and affordable living concerns. Durrett's new book is a comprehensive guide for baby boomers wishing...

The cohousing "bible" by the US originators of the concept.

To ensure food security and restore the health of the planet, we need to move beyond industrial agriculture and return to the practice of small-scale, local farming. Bioshelter Market Garden: A Permaculture Farm describes the creation of a sustainable...

This is the first full-length book to present the built work and conceptual ideas of the internationally renowned Japanese design firm Super Potato, founded by Takashi Sugimoto. Super Potato's powerful designs for the interiors of restaurants, shops and...

Finding community is as critical as obtaining food and shelter, since the need to belong is what makes us human. The isolation and loneliness of modern life have led many people to search for deeper connection, which has resulted in a renewed interest in...

For most of human history, people have lived in durable, comfortable buildings made from natural materials such as soil, sand, rocks, and fiber. All over the globe, these ancient traditions persist; a quarter to a third of the world's population today...

From foundation to finish, a wealth of information is available on sustainable construction methods-entire volumes have been published on individual green and natural building techniques. But with so many different ideas to choose from, there is no...

Wood has undergone quite an image change – as future and trend researcher Matthias Horx puts in a nutshell: “Wood is Style”. It has come out of the corner of the traditional and rustic and moved to the top of high-tech building materials. In addition to...

Twenty inspiring New Zealand holiday houses tucked away in spectacular surroundings. Thoughtfully designed holiday homes in a variety of beautiful locations around New Zealand, from coast to bush to mountain top - with fabulous images taken by top...

Bricks can be cleaned, timber hardens with age and metal develops a pleasing patina without deteriorating, making them all perfect for reuse. Yet every day more building materials are being manufactured from virgin resources. This inspiring book focuses...