Invitation to Architecture: Discovering Delight in the World Built Around Us

by Max Jacobson, Shelley Brock

Expand your knowledge of the world around us. Look up. Look around. There’s architecture everywhere, from the homes in which we live to the buildings where we work, the historical sites we visit on vacation to the shopping malls we frequent on a daily basis. But what exactly is architecture and what differentiates it from mere “buildings”? How does it impact our lives? In this engaging, original work, architects Max Jacobson, one of the authors of the landmark design book A Pattern Language , and Shelley Brock explore these and many other questions as they present a compelling case for the importance of architecture in our day-to-day lives. A beautiful, coffee table book…an elegant conversation piece…an educational resource for the entire family. One peek inside this glorious book, filled with 150 illustrations, and you’ll agree that architecture is not just for architects! Invitation to Architecture begins with a discussion of the many ways architecture influences our lives from our activities as young children to our everyday interests and interactions as adults. The book delves into the “great” buildings of the world and also explores the whole range of architectural works from indigenous structures to contemporary buildings. Strength, usefulness, and beauty ― these are the three pillars on which Invitation to Architecture is built. There’s an exploration of the role of “durability,” “utility,” and “beauty” in architecture. These three concepts (originally coined by Vitruvius during the Roman empire as Firmitas, Utilitas , and Venustas ) remain at the heart of what architecture strives for and they are as relevant today as they were over 2,000 years ago. Strength, usefulness, and beauty…the benefits you will derive from this captivating resource.

Genres: Architecture

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2014

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well titled. It is an easy to read and an entertaining story of the coming about of architecture through the ages and of human responses to design. It clearly sets forth the basic elements of good design and the skills to bring it about. This book should be on the reading list for anyone interested in architecture and design as a career and also for those simply interested in their surroundings and how they might be improved.

[Laurie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actually, I am not a person who would normally read about architecture, but I am am into the art of discovering the world around us, so I picked up this book. Very enjoyable and enlightening and accessible! The authors have cleverly found just the right mix between simplicity and elegance to help us understand how building design is an expression of our humanity and essential to our lives. The illustrations are a little wonder in themselves.

[Charlie Seith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun beginner level book for anyone interested in architecture

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm also categorizing this as poetry, because the section on aesthetics had the BEST explanation on rhythm I have ever read. Even my music training was never so succinct and understandable.

Along with that I simply loved it. I love the problem solving of architecture, I love the beauty of architecture, I love the fact that so many beautiful places exist, especially those that have been around for centuries.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps this should have been a long paper rather than a book. But it made me think about architecture in ways I never have. I really enjoyed it. Thought provoking.