PopArch: Texts for Architects

Whether you are faculty looking to revisit core texts, or a new student wanting to get ahead before embarking on your architectural education, we have suggestions for you. Popular culture architecture reads (PopArch) are entertaining and intended for a broader audience. Much like popular science, these titles provide accessible enjoyable introductions to the discipline. Perfect summer reading!

Alexander, Christopher. A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. $65.00

Betsky, Aaron. Architecture Matters. $17.00

Corbusier, Le. Towards a New Architecture. $17.00

De Botton, Alain. The Architecture of Happiness. $20.00

Frederick, Matthew. 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School. $15.00

Glancey, Jonathan. What’s So Great About the Eiffel Tower? 70 Questions That Will Change the Way You Think about Architecture. $20.00

Graaf, Reinier de. Four Walls and a Roof: The Complex Nature of a Simple Profession. $23.00

Jacobs, Jane. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. $18.00

Koolhaas, Rem. S, M, L, XL: Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large. $73.00

Lewis, Roger K. Architect? A Candid Guide to the Profession. $35.00

Mars, Roman. The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design. $17.00

Rybczynski, Witold. How Architecture Works. $17.00

Venturi, Robert. Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture. $30.00

Wolfe, Tom. From Bauhaus to Our House. $10.00

Further recommendations from notable sources

Bookriot: Ten Books on Architecture for non-architects

The CooList: Must Read Architecture Books

Archisoup: The Best Architecture Books

For more information on AASL, visit their website.