Borer, P. & Harris, C. 1994. Out of the Woods. Ecological designs for Timber Frame Housing. Wales: Centre for Alternative Technology Publications.
A simple and practical guide to timber frame self-builders. It covers all aspects of design, planning and implementation.
Brown, L. 2000. Planet Organic. Organic Living, Simple solutions for a better life. London: Dorling Kindersley.
A colourful look at all things organic: from (the obvious) food to health&beauty, it also has a section on ecologically friendly homes.
Cumming, E. 1991. The Arts and Craft Movement. London: Thames & Hudson.
A good overview of the influential art/design movement that still has huge relevance today.
Cummings, N. & Lewandowska, M. 2000. The Value of Things. London: August Media Ltd.
An interesting look at our material culture, investigating issues central to art, design, and consumerism.
Fraser, M. 2004. Designers on Design. London: Conran Octopus Ltd.
A wonderful collection of design and designers: their thoughts and opinions and their journeys to success. For any young designer, very inspirational!
Fuad-Luke, A. 2002. The Eco-design Handbook. London: Thames & Hudson.
A comprehensive and inspiring collection of environmental design ranging from packaging to transport systems. It has useful sections on materials, textiles, and paints/vanishes as well as contact information for designers/designer-makers, Manufacturers and suppliers, and Green organisations.
Hinte, E. 1997. Eternally Yours – Visions on product endurance. Rotterdam: 010 Publishers.
A beautiful little book outlining thoughts on product endurance. Uplifting and insightful, this is an innovative exploration of design for sustainability.
Hinte, E. & Bakker, C. 1999. Trespassers – Inspirations for Eco-efficient Design. Rotterdam: 010 Publishers.
Honore, C. 2004. In Praise of SLOW. London: Orion Books Ltd
A little ‘preachy’ at times but it makes a lot of sense. Highlights many of my gripes about city-life. A good read.
Kahn, L. 2004. Home Work. Handbuilt Shelter. California: Shelter Publications Inc
A fascinating collection of homes and handbuilt structures from around the world. A bit too ‘hippy’ at times but absolutely engrossing. Very inspiring and some wonderful stories.
Lefteri, C. 2001. Plastic - Materials for Inspirational Design. Switzerland: RotoVision SA.
An interesting book –the first in a series (there are also Wood and Metal versions) – exploring materials technology and applications.
Lomborg, B. 2001. The Skeptical Environmentalist. Measuring the Real State of the World. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
I have to admit I haven’t got very far through this yet but it’s a great book. It “offers readers a non-partisan stocktaking exercise that serves as a useful corrective to the more alarmist accounts favoured by campaign groups and the media. It is essential reading for anybody with a serious interest in current environmental debates.” It concludes that there are more reasons for optimism than pessimism.
McDonough, W. 2002. Cradle to Cradle. Remaking the way we make things. New York: North Point Press.
A waterproof DuraBook – from the outset this feels like I book with a difference. This book explores and highlights the visionary thinking that ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ isn’t good enough… they present (albeit slightly idealistic) ideas of “how products can be designed from the outset so that, after their useful lives, they will provide nourishment for something new.”
Mitchell. M. 1998. The Lemonade Stand. Wales: Centre for Alternative Technology Publications.
A hands-on guide to ‘learning through doing’. Covering all sorts of alternative building techniques.
Myerson, J. 1995. Makepeace - A Spirit of Adventure in Craft and Design. London: Conran Octopus Limited.
A complete story of John Makepeace and his fantastic wood furniture. Through slightly pompous, this work is incredible, innovative and exquisite. I would highly recommend a visit to the workshops and showrooms at Parnham for anyone interested in crafts and woodwork. (I though about going to study there after my A-levels…but didn’t!)
Papanek, V. 1995. The Green Imperative. London: Thames & Hudson.
Pirsig, R. 1974. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. London: The Bodley Head Ltd.
An insightful book which introduces many interesting philosophies. Though a little slow at times, it was intriguing and unforgettable. I felt a connection to the main character and could relate strongly to the ideas of classic/romantic thought. I’m ‘classic’ through and through!?
Pye, D. 1964. The Nature of Design. London: Studio Vista.
Pye, D. 1968. The Nature and Art of Workmanship. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
Pye’s books were unique in tackling ideas of workmanship and (dare I use the word…) quality in craft. Quite clinical in their approach but necessarily so. Indispensable when defining visual and physical properties of objects.
Ramakers, R. 2002. Less + More - Droog Design in context. Rotterdam: 010 Publishers.
An exciting view into the wonderful world of droog design. Lots of interesting products and contemporary crafts. Though the book is visually inspiring it portrays a message not entirely in tune with unu ideas. It embraces the “inspiring panorama of decreasing materiality. In many cases objects are no longer the aim of the design process. Rather they become illustrations of intentions, use and everything that may happen around them… …Design is evolving into the skill of controlling the immaterial, evoking experiences and establishing identities.” This seems a strange (though not untrue) message coming from a group known for their crafts and material experimentation.
Redhead, N. 2000. Products of our Time. London: August Media Ltd.
A fun and easily digested overview of design and it’s relations with culture and commerce. “Design is one of the most significant ways in which we shape our world. The products that surround us provide an instant cultural history, a mirror in which our own preoccupations are vividly reflected.”
Shaw, R. 2001. Living with arts and crafts. London: Ryland Peters & Small.
Steen, B. 2003. Built by Hand. Vernacular buildings around the world. Utah: Gibbs Smith.
A lovely ‘coffee-table book’ with fabulous pictures of far-away homes and cultures.
Russel, B. 1930. The Conquest of Happiness. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.
