Architectural Minds: 4 Books About Architecture to Explore

Architecture not only shapes cities, but also expresses the cultural and historical identity of a society. Knowing the stories and philosophies of the most influential architects can broaden the understanding of the impact of constructed projects on our daily lives. Thus, we found for you different publications on architecture that explore the creative minds of prominent names in national architecture. We selected a list of books that are unmissable for diving into the world of architectural creation. Check it out:

1. Gregori Warchavchik - The Arrival of Modern

Organized by architect Silvia Segall, "The Arrival of Modern" reviews the trajectory of architect Gregori Warchavchik, born in Ukraine but a pioneer of modernist architecture in Brazil. Over the course of 732 pages, the work includes a selection of Warchavchik's main projects, from the house on Santa Cruz Street to club projects from the late 1950s. In addition, the book gathers built works, unexecuted projects, furniture designs signed by the professional, an interview with Paulo Mendes da Rocha, and texts by Ivo Giroto from FAUUSP, architect Carlos Warchavchik, Gregori's grandson, and Maria Cecilia Loschiavo.

2. Carlos Motta

In this artist's book, Carlos Motta presents 50 years of multifaceted work, emphasizing his experimentation in design, woodworking, architecture, and construction. Through photographs selected by artists Fernando Lazlo, Mauro Restiffe, and Layla Motta, the professional opted to offer a sensory experience in the work that unites fantasy and reality, leaving aside the common descriptive text pattern of construction techniques, ergonomics, wood names, or architectural concepts.

3. Sig Bergamin - Eclectic

Titled "Eclectic", the work highlights the work of Sig Bergamin and presents more than a dozen houses, including the professional's own. The third book by Bergamin with Assouline – a French publisher specializing in luxury publications and design – covers the architect and designer's latest projects, ranging from an apartment in New York to an idyllic mansion in the countryside. With a preface by Ralph Pucci and an introduction by James Reginato, this book emphasizes Bergamin's daring and creative approach to design.

4. Lina by Aldo – Affinities in the thoughts of architects Lina Bo Bardi and Aldo van Eyck

Over the course of 400 pages, "Lina by Aldo – Affinities in the thoughts of architects Lina Bo Bardi and Aldo van Eyck" seeks to bring closer the ideas and works of the two architects. The book is illustrated with unpublished photographs taken by Van Eyck, Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright of Bo Bardi's works in Brazil. "Lina by Aldo" gathers ten essays from authors from various parts of the world reflecting on the convergences and contrasts in the work of the two professionals, in addition to featuring a text written by Aldo van Eyck about Lina Bo Bardi called "A superlative gift".