The Architecture Concept Book: An Inspirational Guide to Creative Ideas, Strategies and Practices

An inspirational and insightful resource for architecture students, offering a fresh perspective and new approaches to the challenges of the 21st century

In architecture, no amount of fashion-following or flashy presentation can disguise a bad or absent idea. Strong concepts provide the foundation for long-lasting buildings that will be loved and appreciated by their users. This thoughtfully irreverent primer establishes the importance of developing and fine-tuning your concept at every stage.

• Equips young architects with the essential tools for developing creative and original concepts.
• Presents thirty-two topics across the four steps of the design process.
• Covers the entire range of design stages, from assessing the site, addressing the social, environmental and political contexts of the building, understanding the programme inside out, assembling building components and creative approaches to economizing, reuse and craftsmanship.
• Features more than 200 sketches, plans and illustrations specially produced by the author, along with photographic references and an inspirational guide to further reading.

Contents List:

ASSESS: Wonder • Environment • Disorder • Memory • Function • Form • Irony • Politics ANALYSE: Walk • Influence • Reclaim • Respect • Obscure • Heroize • Improve • Improvise ASSEMBLE: Floor • Wall • Structure • Roof • Door • Façade • Stair • Services AUGMENT: Review • Diagram • Optimize • Economize • Colour • Contrast • Scale • Craft

About the Author:

Winner of the 2008 RIBA and RIAS Silver Medals, James Tait has since been a regular guest critic at the University of Strathclyde and led various design workshops within practice and academia. James has also exhibited his work extensively in Scotland, London and the Far East.