Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Architecture
Apr. 26th, 2026 01:45 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ysabetwordsmithThis year during Three Weeks for Dreamwidth, I'm writing about reading as a way of becoming an expert in a given subject. Read Part 1: Introduction to Becoming an Expert.
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth Part 2: Architecture
Architecture is the art of designing and building structures, such as houses, offices, churches, or skyscrapers. It goes back only a little less far than humanity does. People have always needed shelters and event spaces, and started making their own rather early on. Here on Dreamwidth, check out![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
farmhouseprints, flaneurs, photographic_i, and urban_photos.
Because of this, architecture has a deep history. Materials for building differ from one place to another, as do design requirements based on the environment. For instance, deserts don't have much wood, so they tend toward earthen materials such as adobe. Places that get a lot of snow typically use buildings with tall steep roofs to shed the snow. Tastes also change over time. These details tell a lot about when a building was made and what inspired it.
While it's a complex profession, architecture also makes a great hobby. When you know a bit about architecture -- and it doesn't take much -- then you can have a lot of fun just driving around town to look at houses or other buildings, especially old ones. You can take pictures or paint them too. Many historic buildings offer tours of the inside.
To choose your three books, you have plenty of options. Chronological works very well in this subject. Famous people capitalizes on major architects. Overview plus details lets you pick what kind of things you'd like to explore further. You can mix and match, like an architect and a time period. Definitely check your library and used book stores, as the large picture books are expensive new. Here are some possibilities...
General Architecture
The 10 Best Architecture Books For Students and Architects
Architecture Book Lists
Architecture books to inspire shelf love
An Introduction to Architecture (nonfiction) (38 books)
Old Books that Every Architect Should Read
Popular Architecture Books
Famous Architects
Architecture: Biography
Books about Architects
Books by Kengo Kuma
Books by Zaha Hadid
Frankly Speaking: Our Best Books About Frank Lloyd Wright
Popular Michelangelo Books
History, Periods, and Styles of Architecture
100 Best Architecture History Books of All Time
Architectural History Books
Books on Architectural Styles
Historic Preservation Books
Routledge Research in Architectural History: Book Series
Free Books
Architectural History Books PDF: Free Architecture eBooks Online (includes some audiobooks)
Books in Architecture
Download +500 Best Architecture Books Legally free!
Free architecture Books
Architectural Classification: Style and Type
Architecture: Form, Space, And Order, 3rd Edition
Architecture through the Ages
Architecture without architects, an introduction to nonpedigreed architecture
Basics: Architecture and Dynamics
BUILDING HOUSES BIT-BY-BIT
The Construction of Houses
Green Building: Guidebook for Sustainable Architecture
Greenhouses for Homeowners and Gardeners
How To Build A Shed
TINY HOUSE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION GUIDE: YOUR GUIDE TO BUILDING A MORTGAGE FREE, ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE HOME
Toward a New Architecture by Le Corbusier
VITRUVIUS: THE TEN BOOKS ON ARCHITECTURE
Three Weeks for Dreamwidth Part 2: Architecture
Architecture is the art of designing and building structures, such as houses, offices, churches, or skyscrapers. It goes back only a little less far than humanity does. People have always needed shelters and event spaces, and started making their own rather early on. Here on Dreamwidth, check out
farmhouseprints, flaneurs, photographic_i, and urban_photos.Because of this, architecture has a deep history. Materials for building differ from one place to another, as do design requirements based on the environment. For instance, deserts don't have much wood, so they tend toward earthen materials such as adobe. Places that get a lot of snow typically use buildings with tall steep roofs to shed the snow. Tastes also change over time. These details tell a lot about when a building was made and what inspired it.
While it's a complex profession, architecture also makes a great hobby. When you know a bit about architecture -- and it doesn't take much -- then you can have a lot of fun just driving around town to look at houses or other buildings, especially old ones. You can take pictures or paint them too. Many historic buildings offer tours of the inside.
To choose your three books, you have plenty of options. Chronological works very well in this subject. Famous people capitalizes on major architects. Overview plus details lets you pick what kind of things you'd like to explore further. You can mix and match, like an architect and a time period. Definitely check your library and used book stores, as the large picture books are expensive new. Here are some possibilities...
General Architecture
The 10 Best Architecture Books For Students and Architects
Architecture Book Lists
Architecture books to inspire shelf love
An Introduction to Architecture (nonfiction) (38 books)
Old Books that Every Architect Should Read
Popular Architecture Books
Famous Architects
Architecture: Biography
Books about Architects
Books by Kengo Kuma
Books by Zaha Hadid
Frankly Speaking: Our Best Books About Frank Lloyd Wright
Popular Michelangelo Books
History, Periods, and Styles of Architecture
100 Best Architecture History Books of All Time
Architectural History Books
Books on Architectural Styles
Historic Preservation Books
Routledge Research in Architectural History: Book Series
Free Books
Architectural History Books PDF: Free Architecture eBooks Online (includes some audiobooks)
Books in Architecture
Download +500 Best Architecture Books Legally free!
Free architecture Books
Architectural Classification: Style and Type
Architecture: Form, Space, And Order, 3rd Edition
Architecture through the Ages
Architecture without architects, an introduction to nonpedigreed architecture
Basics: Architecture and Dynamics
BUILDING HOUSES BIT-BY-BIT
The Construction of Houses
Green Building: Guidebook for Sustainable Architecture
Greenhouses for Homeowners and Gardeners
How To Build A Shed
TINY HOUSE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION GUIDE: YOUR GUIDE TO BUILDING A MORTGAGE FREE, ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE HOME
Toward a New Architecture by Le Corbusier
VITRUVIUS: THE TEN BOOKS ON ARCHITECTURE
