Hi all -

Five architectural writings that have been important for me and seem useful for thesis prep.  I've read portions of all of them (and hope someday to finish all).  I also strongly second (or third) previous mentions of Zumthor's Thinking Architecture.

 

 

Moneo, Rafael

Theoretical Anxiety and Design Strategies in the Work of Eight Contemporary Architects

ENVI NA680.M65 2004

http://www.amazon.com/Theoretical-Anxiety-Strategies-Contemporary-Architects/dp/0262134438/ref=sr_1_1/002-8165695-1239236?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183924130&sr=1-1

An easy-to-read collection of his lectures that'€™s a great way to understand and decode contemporary and recent built work.  Not a theoretical treatise really, but his informed take on these architects.

 

 

 

Porphyrios, Demetri

Sources of Modern Eclecticism: Studies on Alvar Aalto

ENVI NA1455.F53.A236 1982

http://www.amazon.com/Sources-Modern-Eclecticism-Demetri-Porphyrios/dp/0312746741/ref=sr_1_1/002-8165695-1239236?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183924948&sr=1-1

I read part of this book in article form.  Porphyrios argues that Aalto is not a sort of one-off, entirely idiosyncratic Modernist but is rather firmly rooted in the traditions of Finland.  Again, helpful for reading and decoding.

 

 

 

Nesbitt, Kate, editor

Theorizing a New Agenda for Architecture : An Anthology of Architectural Theory 1965-1995

ENVI NA680.T45 1996

http://www.amazon.com/Theorizing-New-Agenda-Architecture-Architectural/dp/156898054X/ref=sr_1_1/002-8165695-1239236?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183924432&sr=1-1

Really good place to start.  Lots of relatively brief essays by a wide variety of theorists.  Really helpful introduction about architectural theory and its place in practice and the discipline.

 

 

 

Brooks, Turner

Work

ENVI NA737.B694.A4 1994

http://www.amazon.com/Turner-Brooks-Work-Ross-Anderson/dp/1568980310/ref=sr_1_1/002-8165695-1239236?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183924582&sr=1-1

A monograph, not a treatise, but such beautiful, ecovative work - compare with below.  Wonderful way to conceive of architecture.

 

 

 

 

Cohen, Preston Scott

Contested Symmetries and Other Predicaments in Architecture

ENVI NA737.C63.A4 2001

http://www.amazon.com/Contested-Symmetries-Other-Predicaments-Architecture/dp/156898250X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8165695-1239236?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183924236&sr=1-1

Another monograph - incredibly thoughtful, beautiful, very formal, highly intellectual.  I'€™ve only read bits and pieces (including Moneo'™s foreword, which helps situate the work).  I'd like to understand and explore more.