Essential Books for Emerging Architects in 2022

All architects have at least one or two books that have significantly influenced their perspective, work, or career. A memory that comes to mind is seeing Glenn Murcut on several occasions emploring students of architecture that “you must read The Thinking Hand by Juhani Pallasmaa.” I’ve always wanted to write a list, or create a virtual bookshelf capturing these passionate recommendations, and here it is. This list was populated when we recently put out the call for architects to share their recommendations on essential reading for emerging architects. I should note, two prestigious ‘magazines’ also got a strong mention; El Croquis and Detail Magazine. You can click on any of the books below to view them in further detail, and I’ve added the price at the time this was written in their titles, for your quick reference.

Personally, I’m going to make it my goal to eventually own every one of these books. (And, note to self, actually read them!)

I’d love to hear whether you have any suggestions on books that are missing, and I will consider adding them!

Note: if you decide to purchase any of these books through the Amazon links provided - thank you. These are affiliate links which means we get a tiny affiliate kickback, at no cost to you, which helps us keep doing what we do. However, I also encourage you to check out your local bricks and mortar bookstore as they are doing it pretty these days.

Life Between Buildings: Using Public Space, $70.46

Songlines: The Power and Promise, $14.00

Surrounded By Idiots, $19.25

Model Perspectives: Structure, Architecture and Culture, $71.34

An Unfinished Experiment in Living: Australian Houses 1950-65, $103.77

Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data, $91.95

Analysing Architecture, $90.99

101 Things I Didn't Learn In Architecture School: And wish I had known before my first job, $24.33

Project Japan. Metabolism Talks, $99.76

Renzo Piano: The Complete Logbook, $68.95

Studies in Tectonic Culture: The Poetics of Construction in Nineteenth and Twentieth Century, $76.33

The Australian House Building Manual, $35.00

Perfect Imperfect: The beauty of accident, age & patina, $47.25

Design for the Real World, $23.09

The Design of Everyday Things, $19.25

Building Your Own Home, $54.33

Architect and Entrepreneur, $32.22

Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered, $24.47

Collaborations in Architecture and Engineering, $77.99

Why Architects Matter: Evidencing and Communicating the Value of Architects, $57.28

Sean Godsell: Houses, $70.35

Articulating Design Decisions: Communicate with Stakeholders, Keep Your Sanity, and Deliver the Best User Experience, $51.20

The Lean Startup: How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses, $30.85

Kerstin Thompson Architects: Encompassing People and Place, $45.48

Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork, $24.95

The Architecture Of Happiness, $20.54

This Building Likes Me, $58.75

Frank Lloyd Wright Collected Writings, 1931-32, Including the Autobiography, $128.35

Garden City Mega City: Rethinking Cities for the Age of Global Warming, $52.06

Don't Get a Job... Make a Job, $23.09

A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction: 2, $75.35

Atmospheres: Architectural Environments, $51.57

Herman Hertzberger - Lessons for Students in Architecture, $91.27

Welcome to Your World: How the Built Environment Shapes Our Lives, $49.61

Building Construction Illustrated, $49.25

Massive Change: A Manifesto for the Future of Global Design, $55.00

Our Voices: Indigeneity and Architecture, $63.02

Architecture: Form, Space, & Order, $59.35

Glenn Murcutt: Thinking Drawing / Working Drawing, $118.35

Encyclopedia of Detail in Contemporary Residential Architecture, $73.92

The Thinking Hand: Existential and Embodied Wisdom in Architecture: 3, $39.75

Your Home, $44

Taking The Country's Side. Agriculture and Architecture

Sketch Like an Architect, $38.50

Looking for more? Check out this previous article on 10 recommended books for architects that aren’t about architecture.
Or, you can preview my own book, 101 Things I Didn’t Learn in Architecture School; And wish I’d known before my first job.