Reading list for K100 BArch Architecture and K230 MEng Architecture and Environmental Design
It is often useful to prepare yourself for the beginning of your course. Year one is a foundation year. Its aim is to introduce you to the architectural design process whilst developing your skills in the areas needed to communicate your architectural designs - through sketching, technical drawing, model-making, image processing using computers and CAD.
In preparation for the course, we recommend you have a look at the reviews of these books on Amazon and choose one or two from the first two lists and read them before you arrive in September. The first part of the course is all about developing your sketching skills therefore if you are not used to sketching, we would advise reading the first book on the list to enable you to develop your sketching skills before you start the course.
Books to help you develop your sketching and observation skills
- Visual Notes for Architects and Designers by Norman Crowe and Paul Laseau
- Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards (if you wish to learn how to sketch)
Books about architecture
- Analysing Architecture by Simon Unwin
- 101 Things I Learnt in Architecture School by Matthew Frederick
- Architecture: Form, Space and Order by Francis D.K Ching
- Materials, Form and Architecture by Richard Weston
- Modern Architecture: A Critical History by Kenneth Frampton
- Designing For Climate Change by Sofie Pelsmakers et al
- Introduction to Architectural Technology by Pete Silver and Will McLean
- The Thinking Hand by Juhani Pallasmaa
Books recommended by previous first year students
- The Architect's Pocket Book by Charlotte Baden-Powell
- The Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data by David Littlefield
Films
- Urbanized, a film by Gary Hustwit (other Gary Hustwit 'design' films are also worth your attention: Helvetica; Objectified; Rams)
- There are many films in which architecture plays a key role; there are many online references to architecture and films: this link is to one 'top 10 films' lists
MArch Architecture and Sustainable Design
If you are joining us for MArch Architecture and Sustainable Design, we recommend the advance reading of the following references:
- Introduction to Architectural Science: The Basis of Sustainable Design by Steven V. Szokolay (book)
- The Climate Framework, an online library that we developed in collaboration with a number of institutions – available here (free online resource)
MArch Sustainable Urban Design
If you are joining the MArch Sustainable Urban Design programme, we recommend advance reading of the following reference:
- Public Places Urban Spaces (2010) by Carmona, Heath, Oc & Tiesdell
- Take a look at the following websites which will help you to understand urban design and to prepare you for the programme: Project for Public Spaces and Gehl
MSc Advanced Building Performance Engineering
If you are joining the MSc Advanced Building Performance Engineering programme, we recommend advance reading of the following reference:
- Environmental Science in Buildings (McMullen)
- Building Services Engineering (Chadderton)
- Air Conditioning Engineering (Chadderton)
- CIBSE Guide A, Environmental Design (CIBSE)
- Heating, Cooling, Lighting (Lechner)
MEng/BEng Architecture and Environmental Engineering
If you are joining the MEng/BEng Architecture and Environmental Engineering programme, we recommend advance reading of the following reference:
- Environmental Science in Buildings (McMullen)
- Building Services Engineering (Chadderton)
- Air Conditioning Engineering (Chadderton)
- CIBSE Guide A, Environmental Design (CIBSE)
- Heating, Cooling, Lighting (Lechner)