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Architecture Books+

Architectural Books, Architectural Supplies, What’s on my desk … these are questions that I get asked a lot. I frequently receive emails from people who visit this site and ask pointed and specific questions about the supplies I use (like pens, sketchbooks, markers) to the equipment I use to record the Life of an Architect podcast. Typically I am more than happy to accommodate these requests because I like to think I am being helpful – but I finally decided to make things a bit easier for me and hopefully more beneficial for the people who ask these questions.

I finally decided to set up a kit.co account where I will regularly update the products, supplies, and materials I use in the course of doing my job. I’m not going to be obnoxious about it but when I find a new book I think people will enjoy, I’ll add it to my growing list of books. What sketchbooks do  I use? What about markers for rendering? Or if you’re thinking about starting your own podcast and you’d like some help trying to figure what equipment you should consider – you can learn from my mistakes and jump straight to the things I am glad to have found.


Essential architectural books

Books are a big deal to an architect and every year, I send out my list of favorite books to tons of people – so much so that I started including a running list every year on my “What to Get an Architect for Christmas” list. Books come and go in my collection – if I don’t like it, I get rid of it. This list will only show the books I own and that I think are worth adding to your own collection. Whether you are an architectural fan, a student just starting out on your own collection, or someone who has been buying architectural books for years I promise you will find something good in this ever-evolving collection. You can find the entire book list here.


Some architects still use pencils and pens, even the occasional sketchbook and roll of trace paper … I definitely still use all of these things. With great regularity, these items are unintentionally featured in photos I take and as a result, I received some questions about what I’m using or what a particular product might be. While I definitely have my favorites, I like trying out new products from time to time since there is probably some products out there that I am going to love but simply haven’t found them yet. Everything that I have on this list has been tried out and is approved for your use.



LoaA Podcast Kit on kit.co

This kit will hopefully save you a few bucks if you decide to go into podcasting – or the way things are currently going, how to step up your work from home audio situation. When I first started the Life of an Architect podcast, I spent a lot of time reading reviews and watching YouTube videos – and almost all were obnoxious. I’ve tried to cut through the fat and only list the products that I currently use and the ones I wish I had started out using from the beginning. While it seems daunting – particularly if you don’t feel all that technically inclined, this is a good place to start. It will also be the place where I point all the professors I hear from wondering what my setup entails. You can find a complete list of all the equipment I use here.


Architect's Daily Use Kit

This is the list of things I use day in and day out – all the things that I use to do my job and are quite literally sitting on my desk every day. What you will find on this list ranges from trace paper, sketchbooks, pen + markers all the way to stylus pens and drafting dots. You can find my entire list of daily use items here.


All of these lists with change over time – some will continually add, some lists might fall off all-together. My goal here is to be helpful while providing a current and accurate portrayal of the products I not only endorse, but use.

Cheers,

RBorson Signature

My “Serious” Disclaimer

The complimentary advice provided on ‘Life of an Architect’ is based on an abbreviated examination of the minimal facts given, not the typical extensive (and sometimes exhaustive) analysis I conduct when working with my clients. Therefore, anything you read on this site is not a substitute for actually working with me. Following my casual advice is at your own peril … if you want my undivided attention, I would recommend hiring me. Cheers.

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