Books
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Modern House 2 by Cl...
Even though this was published seven years ago, it's still got enough oomph as far as pictures of modern homes are concerned. It's one of the books I purchased inside unseen, just to see more about the house on the cover. "This is an illustrated study of the world's most interesting and innovative contemporary houses. Organized into thematic sections, it features detailed appraisals of 30 contemporary houses by the world's leading architects, ...The book examines issues such as ecological concerns, changing patterns of living, building with sensitivity in ever-increasingly populated cities, and respecting the environment when building in isolated rural…
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And Fork: 100 Design...
A follow up to Spoon, this book has over 1000 color illustrations of items considered notable in today's product design world. "AND FORK is a comprehensive global overview of new industrial design today.This generously illustrated volume presents 100 of the most exceptional product designers that have recently emerged on the international scene...A wide range of objects (including chairs, lighting, footwear,kitchen accessories and electronics) provide an up-to-date snapshot of the newest developments in the design world.The book will be an indispensable reference for students, designers, architects and the general public interested in learning about contemporary design in everyday life." [posted by…
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Vitamin Ph: New Pers...
Art is, to me, a necessary component of a home. I've been wanting to add some photography to the mix of art we currently have, and this book has definitely given me some ideas as to what artists we might further investigate (whether we can afford them is another matter). This rather large book offers brief descriptions and examples of each artist's work, so that you are privy to recent developments and theories within photography. "VITAMIN Ph is a global survey of new developments in the medium of photography, featuring 121 living artists who have made a contribution to the…
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Tom Kundig: Houses
This book has some amazing pictures, and actually covers each home in depth by dedicating more than three pages to each one. I absolutely love the huge windows. [posted by katie]
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ReadyMade: How to Ma...
I received this as a gift last year, and it's worth a flip-through, if not a proper read. It's got a few projects that are really quite doable, and a few that are worth a chuckle. "Each section begins with a history of the "raw" material, designed to make readers more aware of the environment and the uses of these materials...the authors also offer how-to advice, both silly (how to write a love note) and useful (how to self-publish). The playfulness extends to noncraft instruction on what to do with plastic ("how to start a business on credit cards") and…
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Art Invention House ...
This will definitely give you some ideas (or dreams) on future homes for you and your family. "The houses shown here are understated or audacious, but never conventional. Each of these cutting-edge projects, whether built in town or country, represents a world apart from its surroundings. Some have only trees for neighbors; others are shoehorned into tight urban sites, perch on precipitous slopes, or cling like limpets to the coastline. But every house is one of a kind, the product of dialogue between demanding clients and creative designers around the globe."[posted by katie]
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The Lazy Environment...
Just in case you haven't been hit over the head enough about sustainability and the environment, here's another book that's perfect for guiding us all towards greener choices. "In The Lazy Environmentalist, Josh Dorfman—host of the Sirius Satellite Radio program of the same name—provides comprehensive guidance to fashion-forward consumers who are as concerned about the long-term health of our planet as they are about the design of their bathroom fixtures. Covering topics that range from clothing to electronic gadgetry, home decor to recreation, and gardening to financial investment, Dorfman lets us know which trends to watch and which eco-conscious products—cars,…
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The Nature of Dwelli...
"Hovey has made a name for himself as the torchbearer for modern residential design, a designation he shares with a growing number of architects who've returned to pure modernism. His houses merge into the landscapes in which they're situated, and with names like Cloud Chaser and Rain Maker, their ties to the land and climate are made clear. Hovey picks up where Frank Lloyd Wright left off, forging ahead with explorations of simple materials, rectilinear geometries, and structural innovation all in the service of free-flowing floor plans that merge indoor and outdoor into a cohesive whole."[posted by katie]
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The Green House: New...
This is such a beautiful book. There's over thirty-five homes in fifteen different countries featured as well as six different climactic zones- so if you're even a tiny bit interested in sustainable design, it's worth a look. by Alanna Stang and Christopher Hawthorne. [posted by katie]
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Sample: 100 Fashion ...
We're obviously not here to feature all sorts of fashion books, but they occasionally might qualify for your 'coffee table' book stack update, and since I'm a sucker for cool covers, this one is a must (Phaidon Press, of course). "Ten of the fashion world's most respected figures...have chosen 100 international young designers of clothing and accessories to show off their work."
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Compact Houses: Arch...
"In an age of "McMansions," this international survey of the latest in residential architecture proves that small is beautiful-and responsible. The houses profiled are designed to make maximum use of the smallest possible footprint in order to protect the environment. The houses profiled here prove that efficiency as well as beautiful, thoughtful design can be had in a tiny setting. Each project includes a case history describing its design challenges and how the architect overcame them, a detailed blueprint for each house, full-color photos of the interior and the exterior, and plans of the layout. This book will be an…
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Prefab by Allison Ar...
If you are thinking about building a modern home, please please please consider prefab. "Prefab presents a series of innovative homes and concepts that boldly demonstrate that this is not your grandmother's prefab, offers a glimpse into the history of prefabricated housing over the last century, and reveals a wealth of practical and attractive alternatives to the status quo...From the fantastical digitized aluminum prototypes of Gregg Lynn to the stylish functionality of Ikea's prefabricated apartments in Sweden, Prefab presents a series of innovative homes and space-saving concepts that show how far this building technique has come-and how far it can…
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Recycle the Essentia...
If you don't recycle already, or feel you could do more, then this book might help you get started in the right direction. "Recycle The Essential Guide is the indispensable handbook to recycling today. With vibrant visuals and a clear, accessible layout, the book is an invaluable resource that tackles everything from the urgency of resource depletion on a global scale to what the individual reader can do to reduce waste in their own home...Case studies from all over the world pay tribute to exceptionally successful or innovative approaches to recycling and a consumer directory of eco designers proves that…
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500 Ideas for Small ...
One of many books focusing on smaller spaces... [posted by katie]
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Small Houses: Contem...
This book proves that bigger isn't always better. Now all we need to do is distribute it to anyone thinking about building or buying a home."Small houses are no longer synonymous with cheap houses and lack of privilege. Instead, they symbolize a range of culturally coded values: compactness, efficiency, discrimination, discreteness, minimalism. Opening with a detailed exploration of the social and historical background behind compact housing in the twentieth century, this book goes on to feature thirty-seven illustrated case studies that represent some of the best examples of small houses built worldwide within the past decade." [posted by katie]