How to Architect

by Doug Patt

The basics of the profession and practice of architecture, presented in illustrated A-Z form. The word "architect" is a noun, but Doug Patt uses it as a verb—coining a term and making a point about using parts of speech and parts of buildings in new ways. Changing the function of a word, or a room, can produce surprise and meaning. In How to Architect , Patt—an architect and the creator of a series of wildly popular online videos about architecture—presents the basics of architecture in A-Z form, starting with "A is for Asymmetry" (as seen in Chartres Cathedral and Frank Gehry), detouring through "N is for Narrative," and ending with "Z is for Zeal" (a quality that successful architects tend to have, even in fiction—see T he Fountainhead's architect-hero Howard Roark.) How to Architect is a book to guide you on the road to architecture. If you are just starting on that journey or thinking about becoming an architect, it is a place to begin. If you are already an architect and want to remind yourself of what drew you to the profession, it is a book of affirmation. And if you are just curious about what goes into the design and construction of buildings, this book tells you how architects think. Patt introduces each entry with a hand-drawn letter, and accompanies the text with illustrations that illuminate the concept a fallen Humpty Dumpty illustrates the perils of fragile egos; photographs of an X-Acto knife and other hand tools remind us of architecture's nondigital origins. How to Architect offers encouragement to aspiring architects but also mounts a defense of architecture as a profession—by calling out a defiant architect!

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Design

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 17, 2012

Reviews

[C. S. Lane · Rating 1 out of 5]

How to Architect is one of those books that you might expect to contain useful information about its titular subject, which, in this case, would be Architecture. You might expect it to contain tips and tricks of the trade, insider secrets, and generally good advice for someone who is interested in designing buildings. You would, of course, be wrong.

How to Architect is a catchy, quirky, and interesting turn of phrase, but very little else. Its title sneakily attempts to pass it off as an instructional book, but it isn't. Its format (The ABCs of Architecture) would like you to think that it's a down-and-dirty collection of 26 useful architect's tips. It isn't. It's just a smattering of vaguely artsy-sounding "Letter Sections" whose titles have little or nothing to do with their actual textual content. Such sparkling gems of utter fecklessness like

-"G is for Gravity"
-"K is for Kevin Bacon"
-and-
-"W is for WWW"

have nothing to do with architecture. Period. Other sections like

-"E is for Ego"
-"R is for Routine"
-"V is for Vocation"
-and-
-"Z is for Zeal"

have more to do with what it might feel like to be an architect (though the reader begins to gain the striking suspicion that the author is working only from supposition...) than they do with how to, as the author says, "Architect".

Buyers beware: The one and only useful section is, in fact, the first: "A is for Asymmetry". This section contains legitimately good and helpful advice. Unfortunately, it is the only section to do so. Do not let it trick you into buying this book.

Ultimately, this reviewer feels that the most apt review of this (wannabe) book would have to be

"U is for Useless"

[Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this up at Maui Friends of the Library hoping it would be a little something different and teaching about a field I know nothing about.

Well the book really didn't have much to say. A few facts here and there with a few anecdotes. That's about it. No central theme or especially interesting details. Just saying how "gravity" is important to consider when doing the design part of architecture. Who'd of though?

[Connor Oswald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides the support of Ayn Rand at the end of the book, this was a decent intro into the lives of architects.

[Libros de Arquitectura · Rating 4 out of 5]

La utilidad de los diccionarios es uno de esos hechos que nadie cuestiona. Tan irrefutable que en los hogares católico, después de la Biblia, es uno de esos libros que siempre tendrá un espacio en cualquier lugar. Teniendo esto en mente, recordemos la esencia del diccionario, que es precisamente, dar significados y definiciones de palabras ordenas alfabéticamente. Este ejercicio fue el realizado por Doug Patt para generar un breve pero consiste libro titulado "How to Architect" en el cual proporciona la definición de 26 palabras desde el punto de vista de un arquitecto. En este punto cabe hacer la aclaración que este libros del cual hablamos no es un diccionario, aunque define y da el significado de palabras ordenadas alfabéticamente. De hecho la forma correcta de clasificarlos es como un conjunto de breves ensayo compuesto de 26 reflexiones en torno a la arquitectura.

Este libro presenta de forma clara, breve y concisa, términos básicos sobre el hacer arquitectura. Arquitectura que en este libro en particular es utilizada como un verbo, con la intención de dejar muy claro que la arquitectura en una actividad. Una actividad que al igual que los enunciados requiere de una estructura, que sigue reglas, que cuando se rompen, no significa que se eche a perder todo el espacio o la expresión.

Según las propias palabras del autor, este libro es un libro para iniciarse en esto de la arquitectura. De hecho, el texto fue el resultado de una serie de populares vídeos difundidos en Youtube bajo el mismo titulo. La intenciones fueron variadas, dar a conocer nuestro trabajo como arquitectos, entusiasmar a los noveles y aventurados estudiantes, como guia para promotores de las escuelas de arquitectura en las universidades y como recordatorios a los que ya pasamos por la etapa de preparación universitaria.

Escrito con un estilo ligero y ágil, "How to architect" esta acompañado de grandes dibujos a mano realizado por el autor, cosa que hoy en día se admira y se agradece. En resumen el texto Doug Patt se presenta como otra mirada a la arquitectura desde un enfoque completamente distinto y subjetivo. Sí, no me equivoqué, subjetivo. Cosa que hoy en día también se agradece ya que hoy en día al parecer la arquitectura y los arquitectos están preocupado por ajustarse a una objetividad que les permita que su trabajo y opiniones sean arropadas por la comunidad de arquitectos. Sin embargo posiciones como las de Doug Patt, abren la posibilidad a reflexionar, confrontar ideas y externar opiniones, acciones que siempre serán bienvenidas. Y si no me creen visiten su sitio www.howtoarchitect.com.

www.librosdearquitectura.com.mx

[Amal Al-Hourani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a lovely book! I believe it is helpful for beginners in architecture as it gives a brief look at some architectural principles, shows how the architect should think and what capabilities he should have. I really liked the way how the author organized the principles in alphabetical order from A to Z. As a 2nd year student, I found it beneficial book, but what it provides is actually simple and basic information about architecture. I recommend this book for those students who are interested in architecture but not yet enrolled in architectural program, so they will know what architecture is about before they go into it.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty rudimentary in scope, but maybe because i was hoping for a read that went into more poetic depth. attempts to make a few far-reaching, thin comparisons (humpty-dumpty...) that brought down the level of intelligence in an effort to connect with a very broad readership. however, its a valiant effort to present the industry to all kinds of people and generally successful in presenting an appealing, honest insight.

[Maddison Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick enjoyable read. This book is best targeted at high school students considering a career in architecture. As a graphic design college student with an interest/fascination/appreciation of architecture, I found some good, applicable, if simple, information in this book.

[Mendim Akiti · Rating 5 out of 5]

The abc's of architecture.

[Mohammed الصوفي · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why i was waiting for more from this book, or deeper, but it tells exactly what it offers in the description , very easy and refreshing.

[Pavel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some nice thoughts, esp. in the chapter on Kevin Bacon. But beautifully produced book. The layout speaks as much about the subject as the words.

[Adam Schweigert · Rating 3 out of 5]

meh.

[Pyoungsung Choi · Rating 2 out of 5]

별로 언급할 것이 없다. 그야말로 건축관련 입문서 느낌의 에세이다. 깊이는 없는 듯 하다.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected a lot more from this book than what I got. I felt like he was building up something but then would immediately switch to the next chapter. Everything is very surface level. It's good when I need to find some motivation to do work because it gets me kinda excited about architecture but I really wish Patt had taken the time to go more in depth.