The five best books on architecture and urban design article presents a professional perspective on the work publications. Also, Looks into the market books through the lens of practice. Further,the books that benefit Architects and graduates in their careers and development.
An interested person may find plenty of books on architecture in the market. Certainly, these books present general knowledge about many topics. Topics range from the history of Architecture and ancient times. Also, books that present the theory of architecture and criticism.
A large number present books on architecture in the Education topic. In addition, you can find book titles about mastering skills and practice in a general sense. The construction field and detailing titles are a few due to maybe less demand from the reader side.
In scanning the titles in the market about most topics, frankly I did not find titles about urban design and methods. Besides, the titles I found are more descriptive of the historic development of City design. Moreover, you can not find titles about the architectural design process in the practice view.
Neither you will find titles about design management in practice. The majority of titles cover topics like running a firm or managing a firm in terms of finance and startups. Obviously,none of the architects or critics publish titles about innovation and measuring it in architecture. Finally, I rarely found a book title about in-depth architecture practice from inside the firm.
Following, I present the five best books in architecture and urban design and practice. Certainly, focusing on the inside lens of an architect working in a firm, and my view about the most beneficial as an expert in the field.
- The Urban Design Process By Hamid Shirvani.
Available on Amazon
The author indicates in his preface that urban design represents a complex multidisciplinary field that encompasses architecture, landscape, urban planning, civil and Transportation engineering, psychology, real estate development, and law. The author, in his book, goes through the urban design process as he claims piece by piece, chopping the process into chapters and discussing the various elements of the process one by one.
In order to understand the urban design process, this book is a good source for having a full perspective of the overall structure of the field, and one can further build on it if required.The book can serve a wide range of specialties looking to get an understanding of what urban design is, what type of activities it comprises, and which disciplines are involved in the full process. To be specific, this book can serve more the related fields professionals in the beginning of their careers. Read full book review.
- EXPERIENCE What matters in architecture, urban design, and planning by Husam Talib Available on Amazon
In the various other chapters, I discuss the paths the architect works in professional practice, like design, supervision, and construction. In each path, what will the architect face in practice on a daily basis, by illustrating examples of situations I have experienced or my close friends in architectural work in the Arab Gulf. What lessons do these examples bring to the reader and their benefit in professional practice.
I illustrate the various methods to avoid failure in work and how to achieve success in the specific path the architect chooses to work. Every architect concentrates on fulfilling the company instructions to do efficient work, but rarely concentrates on how to build an appropriate experience for future use, specifically when thinking to start a business. What areas of work to concentrate on in professional practice are introduced in the various chapters of the book to help the reader benefit from it in his career. Reviewers say it’s a very good book on architecture to gain experience in professional practice. Read Full book review.
- Berlin Urban Design: A Brief History by Harald Bodenschatz
Available on Amazon
The book is an exhibition and a show of brilliant city design. It has a wealth of images, photos, maps, and illustrations defining the major attraction areas and points in Berlin City. It might be considered as a tourism guide for people who want to explore modern development in modern cities.
The writer focused on the major factors that caused Berlin city transformation. He described the history of the timeline of Berlin city development, supported by many drawings and plans. The politics behind the death and life of some development organizations and authorities. It’s a show for European city characteristics, making it one of the most important cities in Europe in terms of urban renewal. Read Full Book Review.
- Barcelona: Architecture, City and Society by Chiara Ingrosso
Available on Amazon
The author shows how Barcelona developed in terms of city urban design and architecture from 1975 to 2015. He discusses in detail urban design development and methods of design for various areas in Barcelona. That goes along with interviews with architects and other specialists within the text.
He talks about urban design from concept to final realization of the projects under discussion. In terms of architecture, he discusses in the same manner the development of architectural styles and methods. From concept to final completion of those projects. He defines why Barcelona has its unique place in architectural history and Europe. A good book on architecture for architects and urban designers in practice, looking for more career advancement.
- BRIDGING URBANITIES: reflections on urban design in Shanghai by Bettina B. Josephine F.
Available on Amazon
Many graduates from the architecture field think to proceed to a higher degree (master’s degree). Surely, they refer mainly to university rankings like Top Universities and others, giving every university a yearly ranking based on overall and subject-based rankings. Also, these rankings evaluate master’s programs based on teachers’ research, citations, and employment, but do not necessarily define how the program benefits the student in their development plan and career.
Prof peter Herrle describes the dual master’s program of TU Berlin in detail, making any graduate student comfortable in evaluating this master’s program. Researchers working on sustainable urbanism can benefit from this book if they are planning to use grounded theory in research to compare two big cities that share the same development process and criteria. For architects in professional practice who want to get an overview of an Asian city’s architectural characteristics, development process, the role of culture, and planning regulations in the development, this book is a good reference. Read Full Book review.