Library: Architecture: Books & Other Resources

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Recommended Surveys & Introductions to Architecture

AIA Guide to Boston by Michael Southworth; Susan Southworth This book is a superbly written history of Boston’s built environment, filled with insider details and engaging anecdotes about more than 600 buildings.
Call Number: NA735.B7 S69 2008
Building Meaning: an architecture studio primer on design, theory, and history by Tamara Metz
Call Number: NA2750 .M43 2022
Buildings of Massachusetts by Keith N. Morgan; Richard M. Candee; Peter Vanderwarker; Antonina Smith; Naomi Miller; Roger G. Reed This latest volume in the Society of Architectural Historians’ Buildings of the United States series analyzes the architecture, landscape, and planning patterns of the capital of Massachusetts and forty surrounding cities and towns that fan out from Boston Harbor.
Call Number: REF NA735.B7 B85 2009
The Future of Architecture in 100 Buildings by Marc Kushner A pavilion made from paper. A building that eats smog. An inflatable concert hall. A research lab that can walk through snow. We’re entering a new age in architecture—one where we expect our buildings to deliver far more than just shelter.
Call Number: NA687 .K87 2015
The Oxford Companion to Architecture by Patrick Goode (Editor) The Oxford Companion to Architecture is a new A-Z reference book on a popular and much-debated subject. It covers all aspects of architecture, from architects, building types, and movements and styles to materials, aspects of design, and definitions.
Call Number: REF NA31 .O94 2009
The Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture by Phaidon Press Editors (Editor) Explore the best architecture of the 21st century in this collection of 1037 exemplary buildings sited all over the world in the Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture. Divided into six world regions, the Phaidon Atlas of 21st Century World Architecture provides an important overview of global and local trends in architecture.
Call Number: REF NA687 .P48 2008

Selected Handbooks & Technical Guides

The Architecture Student's Handbook of Professional Practice by American Institute of Architects In developing The Architecture Student's Handbook, an advisory group of noted professional practice educators and practitioners reviewed the content of The Architect's Handbook to distill the content for students.
Call Number: Ebook
Architectural Graphic Standards, 12th edition by American Institute American Institute of Architects; Dennis J. Hall (Editor-In-Chief) Since 1932, the ten editions of Architectural Graphic Standards have been referred to as the "architect's bible." From site excavation to structures to roofs, this book is the first place to look when an architect is confronted with a question about building design.
Call Number: REF TH2031 .A84 2016
Interior Graphic Standards by Corky Binggeli; Patricia Greichen The second edition of Interior Graphic Standards is completely revised with updated and expanded coverage of: Interior material energy use and environmental impact; ADA Accessibility Guidelines; Residential design and construction; Basic building construction types and their impact on interiors.
Call Number: REF TH2031 .M34 2011
Time-Saver Standards for Building Types by Joseph De Chiara The only comprehensive reference to all building types, Time-Saver Standards for Building Types, Fourth Edition is loaded with all the essential design criteria and standards you need to prepare preliminary designs, execute programming requirements, and analyze the functions and uses of a building.
Call Number: REF NA2760 .D42 2001
A Guide to Understanding the 2012 International Building Code by Francis D. K. Ching; Steven R. Winkel An easy-to-use, updated illustrated guide to the 2012 edition of the International Building Code This unique reference to the 2012 International Building Code marries the graphic skills of bestselling author Frank Ching with the code expertise of Steven Winkel, FAIA.
Call Number: Ebook
Advanced Building Systems: A Technical Guide for Architects and Engineers by Klaus Daniels Daniel's Advanced Building Systems provides an up-to-date overview of all essential building installations and most recent technologies, complete with a wide range of detailed technical plans.
Call Number: TH845 .D36 2003
Human Dimension and Interior Space by Julius Panero; Martin Zelnik; Martin Zelnick Human Dimension and Interior Space is the first major anthropometrically based reference book of design standards for use by all those involved with the physical planning and detailing of interiors, including interior designers, architects, furniture designers, builders, industrial designers, and students of design.
Call Number: REF NA2542.4 .P356 1979

Books on Architectural Materials

Material World 2: Innovative Materials for Architecture and Design by Tessa Blokland (Editor) Featuring over 150 materials, Material World 2: Innovative Materials for Architecture and Design, sequel to the highly successful Material World, is an even more comprehensive catalogue of resources.
Call Number: TA403.6 .M368 2005
Glass: Materials for Inspirational Design by Christopher Lefteri This book features more than 75 examples of glass, one of the oldest and most traditional of materials, in its many applications.
Call Number: TS171 L495 2002
Metals: Materials for Inspirational Design by Chris Lefteri Metals continues in the tradition of the 'Materials' series by bringing to people's attention a range of inspirational products and materials that challenge the boundaries of traditional application.
Call Number: TT205 .L44 2004
Wood: Materials for Inspirational Design by Chris Lefteri This book explores and illustrates the uses and types of wood and introduces new advanced materials and new methods of processing, making it a material for the future.
Call Number: TA419 .L34 2003

Books on Sustainability in Architecture

Adapting Buildings and Cities for Climate Change by Sue Roaf; David Crichton; Fergus Nicol This fully revised edition of Adapting Buildings and Cities for Climate Change provides unique insights into how we can protect our buildings, cities, infra-structures and lifestyles against risks associated with extreme weather and related social, economic and energy events.
Call Number: NA2541 .R63 2009
Architecture and Design Versus Consumerism: How Design Activism Confronts Growth by Ann Thorpe Although architecture and design have long been seen as engines for consumerism and growth, increasing numbers of designers are concerned about the problems resulting from growth. But designers face a paradox of their own; in scenarios of sustainable consumption, where people consume or build significantly less, what will be left for designers to do?
Call Number: NK1397 .T46 2012
Architecture in the Anthropocene: Encounters Among Design, Deep Time, Science and Philosophy by edited by Etienne Turpin Architecture in the Anthropocene: Encounters Among Design, Deep Time, Science and Philosophy, edited by Etienne Turpin, brings together a provocative series of essays, conversations, and design proposals that attempt to intensify the potential of the multidisciplinary discourse developing in response to the Anthropocene thesis for contemporary architecture scholarship and practice.
Call Number: NA2541 .A735 2013
Big and Green: Toward Sustainable Architecture in the 21st Century by David Gissen (Editor); National Building Museum Staff (Contribution by) The book examines more than 40 of the most important recent sustainable skyscrapers-including Fox & Fowle's Reuters Buildings in New York, Norman Foster's Commerzbank in Frankfurt, and MVRDV's spectacular Dutch Pavilion from Expo 2000 in Hanover.
Call Number: NA2542.36 .B54 2002
Biomimicry in Architecture by Michael Pawlyn Aimed at architects, urban designers and product designers, this text looks to the natural world to seek clues as to how we can achieve radical increases in resource efficiency. It contains inspiring case studies predicting future trends.
Call Number: NA2543.B56 P39 2011
Design with Climate: Bioclimatic Approach to Architectural Regionalism by Victor Olgyay (Contribution by); Donlyn Lyndon (Contribution by); John Reynolds (Contribution by); Ken Yeang (Contribution by) First published in 1963, Design with Climate was a groundbreaking book in the field of environmentally responsible design and remains an important reference for practitioners, teachers, and students over fifty years later.
Call Number: NA2541 .O44 2015
Ecohouse: A Design Guide by Sue Roaf; Manuel Fuentes; Stephanie Thomas-Rees Sue Roaf is famed for her approach to design and her awareness of energy efficiency. Here she reveals the concepts, structures and techniques that lie behind the realisation of her ideals.
Call Number: TH4860 .R62 2013
Hot to Cold: An Odyssey of Architectural Adaptation by Bjarke Ingels This book coincides with the "Hot to Cold" exhibition at the National Building Museum and presents 60 case studies in harsh climate conditions in order to examine where and how we live on our planet.
Call Number: NA1223.B485 A4x 2015
Urgent Architecture: 40 Sustainable Housing Solutions for a Changing World by Bridgette Meinhold Bridgette Meinhold showcases 40 successful emergency and long-term housing projects - from repurposed shipping containers to sandbag homes. She surveys successful structures as well as highlighting promising projects that are still being developed. Every one is quickly deployable, affordable, and sustainable.
Call Number: HD7287 .M438 2013
Vitamin Green by Phaidon Press Editors (Editor); Johanna Agerman Ross (Contribution by); Joshua Bolchover; Fxfowle (Contribution by) Vitamin Green provides an up-to-the-minute look at the single most important topic in contemporary design: sustainability.
Call Number: NA2542.36 .V58 2012

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Recommended Websites about Architecture

General sources:

American Institute of Architects
ArchBoston (forum on Boston and New England architecture)
Archdaily (News on contemporary architecture)
Architecture for Humanity (Non-profit organization concerned with affordable and sustainable development worldwide.)
ArchINFORM-International architectural database
Archinect (Career resources for the architectural profession.)
ArchitectureWeek.com (Architectural and building news.)
Archnet (Developed at MIT's Design Lab in the School of Architecture and Planning for architects, urban designers,and landscape architects, with a focus on Muslim cultures and civilizations.)
ArchNewsNow (Architectural news aggregator.)
BuildingGreen.com (Information for the architectural profession about green materials and construction practices.)
Emporis (international database of buildings and structures)
Great Buildings Online
Inhabitat.com (Resource on sustainable architecture and design.)
Royal Institute of British Architects - Architecture Links