This is a list of the most essential architecture design and technology books that every architecture student must have!

I can personally attest to the excellence of these books as I have either owned or loaned each book during studying.

They have helped me develop sketching and design skills or draw details and general inspiration.

This is a small collection of books that have helped me improve my skills. That I think you can also benefit greatly.

I have written a brief description for each book and reasons why you should own one yourself.

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🍊 Architect's Pocket Book

This one will definitely be checked out at the library. I bought a copy of this book in first year, nearly ten years later I still go to reference it.

Having all the standard dimensions and symbols for everything in one places is such a time saver. As a student knowing these things also dramatically improves your drawings to a level of professionalism.

🍊 Constructing Architecture: Materials, Processes, Structures

This book was most likely recommended to you before on your technology reading list and for good reason!.

It offers a wealth of technical drawing examples covering all different scales and materials in all levels of detail.

Third year technology this was my Bible. See for yourself…

🍊 Architecture in Detail II 

Architecture in Detail II is another extremely competent technology book. However, it also has great examples of visual representation in regards to tech/detail drawings.

A beautiful detail drawing can be a powerful page and big point scorer in your portfolio submission. Go check it out!

🍊 lessons for students in architecture

This one is a thinker. Written by famous architect Herman Hertzberger. In this book, Hertzberger presents a broad array of architectural design and subjects. Some keywords taken from just some of the topics are; making space, grid, void, form, public domain, private space, building order, warp and weft. You get the idea.

I found this book to be extremely inspirational and versatile. It helped me apply new design methodology to my student projects and improve my architecture vocabulary.

🍊 drawing on the right side of the brain

My university interview was with the head of year, at the end of the interview she wrote down a list of books and said ‘you need to read these books before you start here’. Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards was on that list and oh how right the head of year was.

In short, it is a drawing instruction book. This book explains and beautifully illustrates the science and rules of sketching. Key rules you need to accelerate your sketching to a professional level.

🍊 Sketching for Architecture + Interior Design

Similar to Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, This too is a drawing instruction book. Except specifically focussed on architecture. It is easy to flick through coffee table style of book with simple yet informative examples and descriptions of different techniques used in architectural drawing.

More helpful architecture guides:

🔸 How to Sketch like an Architect

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