7th March 2024
To celebrate World Book Day, we asked a selection of colleagues – including architects, an interior designer, an artist, and our librarian – to recommend a book that has inspired them or enriched their professional journey.
With answers ranging from a post-war Italian novel to a visual chronicle of the artwork behind ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,’ you will be sure to find something new for your bookshelf…
‘Every Tool's a Hammer: Life Is What You Make It’ by Adam Savage, 2019
Cheyanne Hawkins, Librarian:
I read this book a few years ago because I grew up watching ‘MythBusters’ and thought it would be fun to read something by one of my favourite presenters on the subject of prop making and crafting. Instead, I read a book that totally transformed the way I approach personal and professional projects.
One of the key ideas is making lists with checkboxes. I’m a very visual person, so having things written down helps me remember and organise information. Adam suggests using boxes as bullet points, which can be broken into lots of sub tasks and coloured in as they are completed. This really helps me to see what has already been done, what needs to be done, and which tasks I need to complete before others. The act of colouring in the boxes also makes me feel more productive and motivated!
I have recommended this book to my friends outside of work, who also grew up with ‘MythBusters’ or enjoy crafting. We’ve all taken something different from it – from what glue to use for various materials, list making, prop replicating and research, or just a bit of fun nostalgia.
‘Architecture: Form, Space & Order’ by Francis D. K. Ching, 1979
Darron Haylock, Architect and Partner:
This was my go-to book during my time at architecture school. It’s a classic. As such, it has been used as a reference for many generations – and is still fondly remembered by colleagues today.
The clarity of the graphic communication always stood out to me and has informed the way I use sketches and drawings to communicate ideas to clients, consultants, and colleagues.
‘The Art of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ by Josh Kushins, 2016
Conor Burke, Senior Artist and Associate Partner:
This book sits on my desk, and I regularly return to it for inspiration. It features work by some of the best artists in the industry and it is full of amazing concept art and matte paintings. It is often a point of reference for the practice’s Design Communications team, as it represents a range of media that we strive to explore in our day-to-day work.
When making this film, the challenge was to tell a new story and think outside the box, while respecting an established design language. I think this is applicable to the work we do at Foster + Partners; storytelling and experimenting with design, whilst respecting and learning from what has gone before.
It’s a nice bonus that a Foster + Partners project – Canary Wharf Underground Station – was used as a filming location!
‘Invisible Cities’ by Italo Calvino, 1972
Annamaria Anderloni, Interior Designer and Partner:
This poetic novel by Italo Calvino – one of the greatest Italian writers of the post-war era – imagines conversations between the Italian medieval explorer Marco Polo and the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan. Polo describes imaginary cities, which he visited during his travels, while simultaneously exploring themes of time, memory, and the human experience.
I would class it as essential reading for architects working on cities, the most complex human creations that only poetry can capture. The text is widely recognised by schools of architecture in Italy but might be a nice discovery for those studying elsewhere.
'Sapiens’ by Yuval Noah Harari, 2011
Jean-Christian Whitehouse, Architect and Associate:
Learning more about the narratives that shape our society appealed to me, as this is something we’re always striving for as architects. ‘Sapiens’ explores the broader narrative of human history, through the perspective of the evolution of our species and the circumstances that have shaped our current identity as human beings.
I particularly enjoyed the parts about cognitive revolution and the development of shared myths. We have grown to believe that we are separate from nature and certain beliefs and narratives are set in stone, yet through the book, it becomes clearer that we are part of nature, and we’ve shaped these narratives ourselves.
Just as societies construct stories to make sense of their existence, we must design environments that reflect and reinforce our core values.
