As we fast approach to 2022, we have picked up the best architecture books of 2021 for our readers. 

As an annual tradition of WAC, the selected books, picked up from WAC Books, cover various topics ranging from architecture, interior design, history to theory, urbanism to circular economy.

In our list, Giulia Foscari and UNLESS's DAM Architecture Book Award winner Antarctic Resolution, exploring the continent's "geography, unparalleled scientific potential, contemporary geopolitical significance", Philipp Meuser and Adil Dalbai's Sub-Saharan Africa: Architectural Guide, giving a comprehensive look at the south of the Sahara over 850 selected buildings with 200 thematic articles, Barbara & René Stoeltie and Angelika Taschen's Living In Mexico, exploring rich colors, woven textiles and a unique design aesthetic of Mexico, are among the most captivating books of 2021.

See our extensive archive on architecture books and pick your favourite book below to expand your bookshelf (in no particular order):

1. Antarctic Resolution by Giulia Foscari (Editor), UNLESS (Editor)

The 992-page book explores for a detailed masterplan of Antarctica with scientific data and a comprehensive research. Published by Lars Müller Publishers, especially the book looks at the coastal settlements threatened by the rise in sea levels caused by anthropogenic global warming.

Awarded with the DAM Architectural Book Award 2021 at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2021, the book is illustrated with various authored texts, photographic essays and data-based visual portfolios. It explores how we could construct such a larger-scale masterplan and "reveal the intricate web of growing economic and strategic interests and tensions, which are enveloped in darkness, as is the continent for six months of the year."

Read more about the book on WAC.

2. Napoli Super Modern by Benoit Jallon (Editor), Umberto Napolitano (Editor), Cyrille Weiner (Photographer), Maxime Enrico (Contributor), Gianluigi Freda (Contributor), Irene Lettieri (Contributor), Andrea Maglio (Contributor)

Published by Park Books, the 262-page book focuses on modern urban construction in Naples. Elaborating individuality and urban development of Naples, the book features fifty new photos taken by celebrated French photographer Cyrille Weiner.

The book also presents some historic images and drawings of important architectonic details, and an atlas of eighteen significant buildings dating from 1930–1960 illustrated with site and floor plans, elevations, and sections.

The book was also awarded the DAM Architectural Book Award 2021 at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2021.

Read more about the book on WAC.

3. Ailing Cities: The History, Assessment, And Remedy For Urbanization In Ghana by Kwaku L. Keddey (Author)

The 167-page book provides an in-depth look at the background of Ghana and other sub–Saharan African countries affected by urban ills and the lack of infrastructure. 

The book, published by Applied Research & Design, was written largely "to educate and facilitate a dialogue with people of all backgrounds on environmental sustainability, architecture, urban planning, and design."

"Ailing Cities addresses relevant topics essential to give the reader an understanding of how individuals and communities can bring lasting changes to their communities," stated for the book. 

Read more about the book on WAC.

4. Sub-Saharan Africa: Architectural Guide by Philipp Meuser (Editor), Adil Dalbai (Editor)

The book, published with 7 volumes, explores the different parts of architecture of the south of the Sahara. Published by DOM Publishers, it is the "first comprehensive overview of architecture south of the Sahara that does justice to the region’s wealth of buildings."

Over 7 seven volumes, the readers read 49 chapters and each focuses on one country, richly highlighted texts by more than 350 authors from Africa and across the globe come together to produce a superlative work.

Read more about the book on WAC.

5. Sandfuture by Justin Beal (Author)

Sandfuture dives into the life and work of the architect Minoru Yamasaki (1912–1986), who remains on the margins of history despite the enormous influence of his work on American architecture and society. 

Yamasaki was the name behind the most famous projects, the Pruitt-Igoe apartments in St. Louis and the original World Trade Center in New York which were both destroyed on national television, and makes his relative obscurity all the more remarkable.

"Sandfuture is also a book about an artist interrogating art and architecture’s role in culture as New York changes drastically after a decade bracketed by terrorism and natural disaster."

The 256-page book was published by The MIT Press. 

Read more about the book on WAC.

6. Mid-Century Britain: Modern Architecture 1938–1963 by Elain Harwood (Author)

The author explores the best overview of British architecture from 1938 to 1963 – mid-century buildings. In the 288-page book, Harwood emphasizes the midcentury period in an unusual way in which a poetic language is harmonized with full-scale photographs. 

Published by Batsford, the book covers significant buildings ranging from the Royal Festival Hall, Newcastle City Hall and to Deal Pier and Douglas ferry terminal, from prefabs and ice cream parlours to Coventry Cathedral and the Golden Lane Estate.

Read more about the book on WAC.

7. The Architecture Of Waste: Design For A Circular Economy by Caroline O'Donnell (Editor), Dillon Pranger (Editor)

The book tackles the global waste crisis from different perspectives, including cultural psyches, politics, economics, manufacturing, marketing, and material science. 

Climate change and the irreversible environmental destruction of some used materials cause us to re-question our current recycling and production models in architecture and design. The 306-page book, also focusing on material-object and circular economy, offers a detailed reading from historical, materialistic and design perspective. 

Published by Routledge, The Architecture Of Waste features over 150 color images and written texts for both professionals and students. The book aims to provide a "reference for rethinking the traditional role of the architect and challenging the discipline to address urgent material issues within the larger design process."

Read more about the book on WAC.

8. Kuma. Complete Works 1988–Today by Philip Jodidio (Editor), Kengo Kuma (Artist)

A new monograph by the acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma explores the architect's exemplary and outstanding projects including the Japan National Stadium, V&A Dundee, Great (Bamboo) Wall house and The Exchange. 

The 460-page book, published by Taschen, features 500 illustrations, illustrates photographs, sketches, and plans inviting readers to Kuma's innovative world harmonized with his strong material approach. 

Kengo Kuma was a guest architect as part of WAC's Live Interview Series in November. Watch the live talk of Kengo Kuma on WAC's Instagram Videos. 

Read more about the book on WAC.

9. The New Normal by Benjamin H. Bratton (Editor), Nicolay Boyadjiev (Editor), Nick Axel (Editor)

The book is the first major publication emerging from Strelka’s The New Normal program, the institute’s most ambitious research unit tackles research and design for Moscow and explores the opportunities posed by emerging technologies for interdisciplinary urban design practices. 

Within the scope of The New Normal program, the 548-page book explores a collaborative research to dive into the impact of planetary-scale computation on the future of cities both in Russia and around the world. 

Published by Park Books, it contains 22 interlinked projects that were part of the research. "Published alongside are seventeen lavishly illustrated contributions by international researchers and designers that outline the wider scope of The New Normal program's output, held together by concise thematic texts contributed by Benjamin H. Bratton."

Read more about the book on WAC.

10. Living In Mexico. 40th Edition (Multilingual Edition) by Barbara & René Stoeltie (Author), Angelika Taschen (Editor)

Living In Mexico takes the readers into a rich and bold Mexican architecture combined with bold pigments, vibrant patterns, and simple and rustic spaces, with an authentic Mexican style.

The 432-page book, published by Taschen, takes readers from Costa Careyes to the Yucatán Peninsula, with a series of full-scale photographs that can surprise, delight, and inspire you.

The book includes several traditional Mexican houses - ranging from the home of Constructivist architect Luis Barragán, a restored 16th-century hacienda, to a traditional Mayan thatched-roof dwelling. Readers encounter the contrast of styles unfolding the country’s vibrantly diverse palette of textures and hues. 

Read more about the book on WAC.