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Here at Architizer, we know picking presents can be hard work, especially when the person you’re choosing for has very specific taste — I’m looking at you architects! So this year we’ve put together a handy list full of gift ideas that are sure to please any of your architecture enthusiast friends, family or colleagues. From books to office supplies to whimsical surprises, we have you covered. Without further ado, here’s our list of thirteen perfect gifts for architects and designers, in no particular order:
Moleskine Pen+ Ellipse Smart Writing Set Pen & Smart Notebook
Moleskin, but not as you know it. The staple of every architect’s arsenal has moved into the 21st century. Note-taking has gone digital. Ideas can now translate off-page and evolve on screen with the new generation Moleskine Paper Tablet, Pen+ and companion app. For the analog architect that embraces the traditional pen to paper but works in the electronic era. NCoded technology embedded within each page of the Paper Tablet allows the Pen+ to record each pen stroke as you capture your thoughts, sketches, designs and doodles.
Ember has revolutionized the way people eat and drink. Founded by inventor and serial entrepreneur Clay Alexander, Ember creates, designs and develops temperature-controlled products that provide complete customization. Never again will you need to reheat your coffee — or accept it’s now an iced latte. Smart Mug 2 is the latest in the product line and the award-winning mug and coaster allow you to keep any drink perfectly hot for up to 80 minutes at a chosen temperature. Its sleek design and beautiful matt finish ceramic coating make it a perfect addition to any desk.
Race and Modern Architecture is far from a curated coffee table book of aesthetically pleasing images. The book comprises 18 essays over six chapters that address topics like the enlightenment, organicism, nationalism, representation, colonialism and urbanism. It is a challenging read without question, but one that is an incredibly worthy time investment.
Interpreting and illuminating the hidden histories of race in western architecture, this expertly edited history seeks to fill in the gaps of historical knowledge, while illuminating racial injustices playing out in contemporary construction. Race and Modern Architecture will undoubtedly be a key text assigned in architecture and cultural studies courses that aims to reframe the study of high architecture and examine vernacular-built landscapes.
With the weight of responsibility sitting firmly on the shoulders of architects, Flourish: Design Paradigms for Our Planetary Emergency offers crucial insights to help point the profession in a new direction. It is a pragmatic and well-considered book that looks to reach beyond ideals of sustainability and regeneration to transform how we design, think about, make and manage our buildings, infrastructure and communities. Written by climate experts Sarah Ichioka and Michael Pawlyn, the book looks to urgently educate and drive architects to restore balance to our world, strive to repair past injustices and support the planet for future generations at a time where each of those things have never been more vital.
Herman Miller Aeron Chair, B, Graphite
A design classic, remastered. The Aeron Chair by Herman Miller has always been and still remains one of the most comfortable, well-designed office chairs on the market. At the cutting edge of human-centered design, the Aeron chair takes economics to the next level. It is an office chair that is fully adjustable to suit any body, shape, height or position. If you’re blessed with office space (or even just a desk) and you’re working from home, the Aeron office chair is the answer to the nagging back problems that have developed over the last two years.
Frank Lloyd Wright City by The Sea Jigsaw Puzzle
The Frank Lloyd Wright City By The Sea 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle from Galison is just the right level of challenge for a few days of activity. The foil accents combined with Wright’s striking image will bring joy and relaxation to amateur and pro puzzlers alike. It’s an art jigsaw puzzle that, when finished, can be framed and mounted as a beautiful wall piece.
Brutalism at its best. This year’s wall calendar celebrates the brutalism’s comeback with 12 prime slabs of concrete hewn by the likes of Le Corbusier, Breuer and Rudolph. Their hulking aesthetics will inspire and delight throughout the year while also providing a welcomed additional grey hue to any sleek, monochrome space.
Architizer: The World’s Best Architecture by Architizer
Each year, select winners from the A+Awards are honored in this fully illustrated compendium which features the best architecture of the year. Entries for the competition are judged by more than 400 luminaries from a diverse range of fields such as fashion, publishing, product design, real-estate development and technology. The result is a beautiful digest full of information and inspiration that is a perfect gift for any architecture enthusiast.
Celebrating the work of 31 of the most outstanding contemporary architecture practices and design firms from around the globe. Featuring the finest and most innovative contemporary architecture practices around the world Architizer’s The World’s Best Architecture guide accompanies the annual A+Firm Awards program. Chosen by an international panel of experts, the winners include a plethora of industry stars, such as Foster + Partners, Neri & Hu Design and Research Office and Michael Green Architecture, alongside emerging talents like Shulin Architectural Design and OfficeOffCourse. The ultimate accolade for collaborative creativity, recipients include architecture firms, landscape architects, engineers, interior designers, photographers and real estate developers.
Arguably the best non-premium tablet SAMSUNG has ever put out. Pipped as a great competitor to the iPad, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is an excellent piece of tech for any architect on the move. It is the most affordable Samsung tablet to come with a stylus so is ideal for sketching, annotating and note taking and also comes with plenty Android UI customization options making it a fantastic option in the design world. Robust yet sleek in its appearance this tablet is an excellent present for any architect who hates being chained to their desk.
MasterClass: Architecture by Frank Gehry, Interior Design by Kelly Wearstler and more
From sessions with Frank Gehry to courses by Kelly Wearstler, there are over 100 Masterclasses available on the MasterClass platform. An annual subscription allows you to access courses from some of the most recognized names in not only architecture and design but music, business, writing and food, and everything in between. Each series of 10 to 15-minute episodes serves as an insight into how the minds of the great and the good got to where they are today. MasterClass is a platform of inspiration and education that you can binge over a few hours or refer to when mentorship and guidance are what you need.
Enigmatic, mystical and technical are the words are often used to describe Swedish architect and craftsman Sigurd Lewerentz. A man — and a poet to some — who was characterized as aloof and stubborn in private, he did little writing or public speaking and was renowned for letting his work do the talking for him. The book includes insightful detail about Lewerentz’s research and working methods, such as the influence of ancient Persian masonry techniques on his work and how he sketched over photographs of partially built works to refine the design. The book offers a detailed perspective into the life and work of one of the worlds most revered architects to sit alongside the exhibition of his career showing at ArkDEs, Sweden, until 28 August 2022.
Bonus:
Nintendo Entertainment System NES Classic Edition
Rediscover a love of 8-bit graphics with the system that started it all and the characters that shaped a generation. NES is back and as good as ever. Perfect for every millennial you know, the NES Classic Edition system is a miniaturized version of the groundbreaking NES, originally released in 1985. Just plug the NES Classic Edition into your TV, pick up the iconic gray controller and bring back the joy of thirty classic NES games.