Think Like an Architect

The Roger Fullington Series in Architecture

by Hal Box

An award-winning architect and educator demystifies the process of making architecture and explains why good architectural design matters.   The design of cities and buildings affects the quality of our lives. Making the built environments in which we live, work, and play useful, safe, comfortable, efficient, and as beautiful as possible is a universal quest.   What many don’t realize is that professional architects design only about five percent of the built environment. While much of what non-architects build is beautiful and useful, the ugliness and inconveniences that blight many urban areas demonstrate that an understanding of good architectural design is vital for creating livable buildings and public spaces. To help promote this understanding among non-architects and those considering architecture as a profession, award-winning architect and professor Hal Box explains the process from concept to completed building, using real-life examples to illustrate the principles involved.   To cause what we build to become architecture, we have three hire an architect, become an architect, or learn to think like an architect. In this book, organized as a series of letters to students and friends, Box   what architecture should be and dohow to look at and appreciate good buildingshow to understand the design process, work with an architect, or become an architectan overview of architectural history, with lists of books to read and buildings to seepractical guidance about what goes into constructing a buildingan architect’s typical training and career pathhow architecture relates to the citywhere the art of architecture is headedwhy good architecture matters

Genres: Architecture, Design, Game Design

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Brad Dunson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professional architects only design about 5 percent of all public and private buildings. This should change. The spaces we inhabit have a profound effect on our work, play and worship. Your most distinguishable memories have a place that defines them. In reading this book, you'll learn of the three design principals that guide our creation of space: commodity, firmness and delight. Accountants can ensure the commodity and engineers the firmness of a building. But delight, ah yes, delight. That's the sacred role of the architect.

[Andre Roode · Rating 5 out of 5]

After many false starts this is the first book on architecture I've finished. I didn't want it to end - this author has an excellent vantage point from which to provide a masterful perspective on architecture as a craft, profession, historical progression, and as a creative activity. A few chapters into it I thought: this is interesting, but it hasn't yet changed the 3D house design in my head. Then he described how he approached designing his own home... and I had to tear it all down. Definitely worth reading at least once.

[Mark White · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the author points out most buildings do not involve a professional architect so the best way to improve buildings is to educate the general public on how to think like an architect. We need a book to educate them but unfortunately this isn't it. While it does contain a lot of useful advice and information it is swamped in philosophical rambling. Maybe I am lazy and want to be hand fed, but my biggest issue is that, while he lists significant buildings (in an appendix) he gives no indication of what makes them special. You have to be pretty determined to get anything out of this and prepared to do some winnowing. And why think like an architect when he gives examples of how some of the great names of architecture have, by his account, produced some terrible buildings? So, not for me I am afraid. I will keep looking.

[L'abbe C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intensely personal, opinionated work that draws the reader into the world of architecture even as it argues passionately for a plural, vernacular, historicist and regionalist future. The reader gets much more than discussions of architecture; Box sees the architect as the 'great generalist' and strives to live up to the role. Box weaves observations of form, mass, light and shadow together with his musings on history, the occult, urbanism, food, and much more. The 'seeing list' in the back gives equal weight to "Texas" and "Middle America" which this reader got a kick out of.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think Like an Architect is an illuminating exploration of how to see, understand, and appreciate the architecture around us. While written more as textbook literature, the book is rich with insights and practical wisdom that encourages readers to look at architecture with fresh eyes. Box demystifies design thinking and invites readers to recognize the intentionality behind the spaces we inhabit every day. It’s an eye-opening, deeply informative work that I would consider essential reading for anyone, especially aspiring architects.

[Sebastian Castell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not an architect but instead I found this book in a list among books to read when getting into leveldesign for gaming purposes. And for that, it was ok. I'm sure I would appreciate it more after a few years but as of now, I found it interesting purely on the level of interest. Not a bad read but not for me, ultimately.

[Amal Al-Hourani · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would be a pleasant reading for non-architects with architectural aspirations. Informative and handy. Good as well for freshmen arts and architecture students.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When on vacation in Boston one of the concierge at the front desk at a hotel I was staying at suggested I read up on architecture, I am very grateful.

[Lala Vite · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book that heartedly captures the passion and admiration architects like Box have for the art. I really appreciated the personal anecdotes that recognized both early and late ideas one has which through learning and experience develop into a valuable understanding of architecture’s role in society and it’s worth in the more personal sense. And I appreciated even more the acknowledgement and discussion of so many of the issues, professional and creative (zoning, budgeting, design ideologies, etc), that make up contemporary American infrastructure. As someone whose interest in architecture bloomed through their experience of Mexican architecture, I also really enjoyed Box’s referencing and acknowledgement of its strengths and often overlooked (for more popular, sophisticated, or pre-modern styles) beauty. Great read overall, keen, honest, enlightening, and thought provoking.

[Deadeye8078 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of my prep work.

An instructor's advice on how to "see" architecture, not as a set-piece execution of training and talent, but as to how it shapes and is shaped by the culture around the building. Also delves into the issue of what happens when culture without regard to execution informs the execution of a building.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been picking away at this all semester. So far it is excellent - and makes me want to buy a second home in Mexico.

[Pavel Furtsev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is great for thous non architects who want to understand it. But still not enough for architects.

[Xinyi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very practical guide for architecture enthusiasts.