This vivid collection of books is perfect for architecture lovers with amazing works that feature stunning photography and ventures into stunning places. Check out iconic houses by famous architects that changed the American landscape then take a trip to Vancouver to learn about its spatial richness before stepping into the cultural intensity of Chinatown. These stunning books are perfect for the urban curious and fans of the 99% Invisible podcast.

The beauty of Vancouver comes to life off the pages of this stunning book which features the beauty of the city from various locations including Stanley Park, Gastown, Chinatown, snow-capped mountains, Stanley Park, False Creek, and UBC. Check out the rich history of Vancouver in this book that’s half travelogue and half guidebook. The Vancouver Sketchbook is a celebration of the city shown through vivid and colorful sketches by Ng which are paired with vibrant text to create the ideal pairing that shows the spatial richness and diverse culture of Vancouver. Ng’s plan is to do more than creating an art book, but create a book that explores the city through its identity through pictures by focusing on Vancouver’s history and Ng’s own observations.

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Check out over 400 photographs that feature influential and groundbreaking innovations from architects over the last 120 years. These architects featured include Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, in addition to Richard Neutra, Peter Eisenman, Philip Johnson, and Thomas Gluck. Houses from these various architects range in style but maintain similar local appreciation, experimentation with style as well as materials, and understanding what the clients need. The Iconic American House features fifty homes that are considered some of the most important in house design since 1900. The book has rich text paired with vibrant illustrations that show an array of masterpieces. The book also contains commissioned photographs, drawings, and floor plans along with biographies for the architects which makes this the perfect resource for students and professionals alike.

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Considered fresh and imaginative, The 99% Invisible City is the bible for the urban curious with each entry providing a surprising story that’s thought-provoking. This beautifully designed guidebook shines the light on the unnoticed parts of our cities which is an idea that stems from the /99% Invisible/ podcast. This podcast pegs questions that will have you wondering where graffiti comes from, why metal isn’t on fire escapes today, and perhaps even the purpose of inflatable figures used by car dealerships. This podcast is noted for having big ideas to reveal the stories in the buildings, streets, and sidewalks around us. Celebrate design and architecture in all its wonder and absurdity in this book from Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt to take a hard look at what makes our cities work. Explore origins behind what we consider mundane such as drinking fountains, power grids, fire escapes, and street signs. The entries featured in this book are well-researched and paired with beautiful line drawings that will leave readers captivated and make them look closer at their surroundings.

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This revised and updated edition from Kenneth Frampton comes from the highly acclaimed survey which focused on the subject of 1980 modern architecture. Cultural developments drove the modern movement in 1750 which led to the creation of architecture we have today. Exploring the effects of globalization and the phenomenon that celebrity architects have brought into the field, Modern Architecture contains a look at the rich history. The work has been thoroughly revised with the addition of new chapters that provide a deeper look at the modernist tradition. Frampton takes an honest look at the need society has to build more sustainably with structures that can handle climate change. The redesigned interior includes an updated bibliography and 500 illustrations.

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With an amazing appreciation of color and adventurous perspectives, San Francisco’s Chinatown provides an amazing contribution to the community. Striking imagery paired with a historical narrative, see Chinatown through its stunning streets and festivals that bring to life its local flavor and culture. The median household income for Chinatown is about a quarter of San Francisco’s average income. This book will take you into the heart of Chinatown through breathtaking images which show the beauty that has attracted tourists. Take a stroll through this lush district for some dim-sum and spot some red lanterns as you observe the stunning apartments and outdoor games. A stunning blend of American and Chinese architecture pairs with the blend of cuisine and culture in this lucid text from Kathy Chin Leong. San Francisco’s Chinatown focuses on the tight-knit community of the district which captures the thriving neighborhood through stunning images that highlight the unique and authentic Chinese traditions.

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Vancouver is a city defined by its geography with a border that has an ocean, mountainous wilderness, ravines, and creeks creating the perfect backdrop. This stunning landscape creates a unique personality for the city which lures people from all around the globe who come to explore the outdoor activities provided. Mansbridge explores how this city went from a beachfront cottage community to a location where only a select few could afford it. Dreamers & Designers highlights the tension that has grown between the desires of West Vancouverites and the goal to maintain. The land of West Vancouver helped to shape the area through the fight of the less marginalized which Mansbridge captures through a stunning assortment of photography. Through the lens that Mansbridge provides, you can see how the unique setting created the community and defined the area for what it’s known today.

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