Story at a glance:
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- These new green architecture books showcase sustainable architecture all over the world.
- Considering most of the world’s population lives in metropolitan areas, many architects are looking for ways to bring nature into projects.
The world is constantly evolving, and architecture is changing right along with it. Sustainable practices are an integral part of today’s world, and green building is only expected to continue to be in demand. LEED has become the world’s most widely used green building rating system, with nearly 80,000 projects participating in LEED across 162 countries, including more than 32,500 certified commercial projects, according to USGBC.
From healthy office design to green libraries, much of today’s most striking architecture, including some wonderfully colorful buildings, is being designed with sustainability and longevity in mind.
These are some of the latest green architecture books we love that highlight sustainability and how we can build for the future.
1. Carlo Scarpa
Courtesy of Phaidon
This book showcases the life and works of celebrated Italian modernist Carlo Scarpa. From showrooms in Bologna to arenas in Verona built during the 1960s and ’70s, Scarpa created some of his best work by expanding upon established buildings and creating new and improved spaces for the community.
288 pages, $49.95, Phaidon Press, March 2021
2. Â Houses: Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Photo courtesy of Monacelli Press
Houses highlights some of the most beautiful homes across the US with a wide variety of architecture and interior design and explores the inspiration behind each project.
In this title four distinguished architects present 25 houses and apartments the firm has completed in the past 10 years.
424 pages, Monacelli Press, available now
3. Living in Nature
Photo courtesy of Phaidon
While most of today’s world population lives in metropolitan areas, Living in Nature features and celebrates 50 extraordinary contemporary homes that are immersed in greenery—from high among the trees to deep in the desert.
In this book you can explore projects in Vietnam, Japan, Scotland, Joshua Tree, and more, with work from Olson Kundig, Claudio Beltrame, and Kazunori Fujimoto Architect & Associates, among many others.
256 pages, Phaidon Press, $49.95, April 2021
4. Reviviscence- A Bridge Over Genoa
Photo courtesy of Rizzoli
This photo-centric book showcases the rebuilding of the Polcevera Viaduct in Genoa, which collapsed in 2018. Andrea Botto’s incredible imagery examines the rebuilding of the new bridge, and renowned architect Renzo Piano masterminded the rebuild.
208 pages, Rizzoli Press, $65, March 2021
5. Studio Gang
Photo courtesy of Studio Gang Architects
Studio Gang highlights 25 projects that showcase the firm’s best work—from the award-winning Aqua Tower in Chicago to Solar Carve (40 Tenth Avenue) in Manhattan. New projects at the American Museum of Natural History and O’Hare International Airport are also highly anticipated.
For more than 20 years Studio Gang has designed projects that are both imaginative and address environmental issues—and the results are nothing short of stunning. With 300 illustrations, this latest book details how the architecture firm continues to create bold and confident projects.
272 pages, $79.95, available now
6. Sustainable Architecture – Between Measurement and MeaningÂ
Courtesy of Vernon Press
Sustainable Architecture – Between Measurement and Meaning serves as a guide to understanding technology’s role in bringing sustainable architecture to life.
“As we move towards a technocratic sustainable future, we lost the humanity of architecture,” the authors say.
The six chapters of the book provide a theoretical and practical instrument to renegotiate the relationship between the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of architectural work.
176 pages, Vernon Press, $44, available now
7. VISIONS OF HOME: Timeless Design, Modern Sensibility
Photo courtesy of Rizzoli
Visions of Home explores some of Atlanta and New York–based architecture firm Historical Concepts’ best projects.
Historical Concepts is known for creating beautiful Southern-style homes across America, and their current projects also include work in the Caribbean and Patagonia.
Writer Andrew Cogar explores how the firm reimagines the traditional home—from an elegant Greek Revival pavilion to a stylish Hamptons summer house.
256 pages, Rizzoli Press, $50, March 2021
