Books for Urban Design

A quick guide for the Urban Design Studio. We were introduced to the subject of Urban Design by Razdan Sir when he started taking the ‘The theory of Town Planning’ subject for us and learning from someone like him is like diving into the ocean of information and knowledge. Though we stuck to the syllabus in that semester but Sir kept telling us about good books of Urban Design. But ‘how theory could help us design’, this was another quest, which was answered in eight and ninth semester when we actually started working on an Urban level studio. At this time, Aditya Sir added on few more good reads to the 'list'. Also, Urban Design is an all new language in design and thus to learn and understand a new language you must be aware of its basics, I feel.

Recently, one of you asked me for some inspiration for Urban Design and I realized that I should share the list of books (some I have read myself and some I know are good) with you guys so that you can dig into something right for the subject.

So, here we go, My favorite 10 UD books. (in random order)

1.  The Image of the City – by Kevin Lynch

2. A Pattern Language – by Christopher W. Alexander

3. The timeless Way of Building – by Christopher W. Alexander

4. Urban Design Handbook: Techniques and Working Methods – by Urban Design Associates

5. Good City Form  - by Kevin Lynch

6. Design With Nature – by Ian L. McHarg

7. The Death and Life of Great American Cities – by Jane Jacobs

8. The Theory of Good City Form – by Kevin Lynch

9. Urban Design (Series) – by Cliff Moughtin

10. The Architecture of Town and Cities -  by Paul D. Spreiregen

Well, these will help you for sure. Moreover, you can also look for the How Buildings Learn Series (videos by Stewart Brand) . Those who are interested to read in depth about architecture in ancient India can get a copy of Architecture of Manasara for themselves. There are nine volumes of the same but I have seen and read (partially) the Seventh Volume till now.

All the best. 

Case study or studying the case?

If we look back into the history,  the pattern of development of the cities, their architecture, we find one thing common all over the world. Many of you must have also noticed this before that each and every civilization/dynasty have been more or less 'inspired' by the previous one. In terms of architecture we see different 'ages' or 'periods' or 'styles' of architecture which have borrowed something from the earlier period. In my understanding of the subject, I find them as the earliest examples of a 'case study'. Why is case study important to design something?  In college, the things that we are supposed to learn are the 'basics of architecture and design'. I feel, the college is not supposed to and cannot teach you how to design a building/space. For this, you need to study a similar 'case'; a case which has been attempted and tried before. In some cases, it could be a masterpiece or on the other hand, a work which would let you understand 'what NOT to do'.

The Tree of Architecture
source : Banister Fletcher's A History of Architecture

Lets take an example of an ongoing studio, the cultural center. Lets examine what you can learn from the college and what you can learn from a good case study - 

Then we come to the question, 'how many case studies are required for a particular design'? Answer would be, as far as I believe, in N-numbers. The second most important aspect of studying a 'case' is 'comparison'. Not all designs can be good, neither all can be bad! It all depends in how we perceive it. A particular space might give great experience to one person and could be horrible for another. It is very subjective and thus you need to look at as many examples as possible. Then, charting out the perimeters of your study based on which you will decide which space was good, better or bad. These perimeters are our day-to-day basis of rating a building. Once you are done with the rating you will have a vague idea of what a cultural center would be like. For this you might need to have a walk around the building. First, as a layman, keeping all your architectural instincts/knowledge aside. Just a simple walk. 

One of my presentation sheets for Thesis, showing the comparison of few of the important case studies.

Then at last is the experience of the user. Ask people who live in that environment daily. Prepare a questionnaire and dont ask dumb questions like "kaisa mehsoos kar rahein hain aap?" If you feel that the questionnaire is a tough job then follow the 'Reverse Q-chain' or the reverse question-chain.

The most exciting case studies of my college times was the Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur. I would put some light on it in another post as I dont want to overburden you with so much text in one post!

Happy studying the case!

For any queries, requests, suggestions or just to say Hi, mail me at ar.dishantbhatia@gmail.com 

Breaking the Habit

Its been seven years now that I was introduced to the studies of architecture. In the early years of the study we had no idea of what it is and how it is to be pursued. Although we were fortunate enough to have teachers who told us that "architecture is all about the feel and experience". But unfortunately, the juvenile brain couldn't get the qoute. It took me the next four years to understand what he actually meant.

Years have passed but the pattern, rather I should call it the 'process', of 'studying' architecture has not changed much. New batches keep coming in and they sort of get even more 'disconnected' from architecture. There could be several reasons, like the knowledge or process they inherit or the easy access of everything through internet. (Not getting into much details) I would like to put some light on the 'habits' of architectural students around.

Gund Hall (pic: http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/)

Imagine. A student of second year studio of architecture. The batch who played with structures in first year, learned the basics of graphics, got familiar with the tools of architecture and realized that they can 'build' habitable structures. An excited student who's being poked by his parents/friends back home to 'design' rooms, shops, clinics, etc. He's been told by his seniors to join some firm in vacations to get some taste of 'practicality'. This student is forced to 'believe' that he can start designing.

The base is set. He now knows the 'basics', he now thinks he can design, and awaits a 'site' to be given to him so that he can add another layer of misconception on the previous one and design whatever is given to him without understanding a 'space'.

As students, we restrict ourlselves to 2D drawings without relating them with the third dimension. Working in 3D doesnt always mean the usage of CAD softwares. A student must always experiment. The base years of architecture are supposed to play with 'actual' planes and surfaces. They need to understand first the idea of 'volumes' before jumping to the elements of construction.

Model Making studio, Understanding Massing, IInd Semester

Just as we used to play with lego blocks and other construction games in childhood, first and second year of studies are to make us re-invent the idea of space. Playing with models is one idea to play with structures and realize the importance of 'scale'. One must be 'fearless' in attempting models. Start defining 'experience' in terms of 3D volumes.When I say 'define' space, its not just the shape and size. A space is defined by its experience.  List down the experiences you have had till date and create 3D models for some of them.

Conceptual Model, Student's Plaza, Ist Semester

Designing a bungalow or country club is not just about walls, windows, deck etc. First, understand the 'wall', decipher the language of a 'window', try to study each and every material and the experience induced by their 'textures', make yourself familiar with common materials, study the local materials used for construction in and around college campus

Form space and order is one of the many 'good books' of architecture which we have but don't value!

Try out new things, work with models, break the conventional, experiment with everything, break the old habits and enjoy 'designing'.

Architecture is very much an intangible experience, with this blog, the aim to pass on this very experience and induce the feeling to 'think out of the box' and attempt what has not been done yet!