Finding something to give to someone who has everything is always a challenge. Finding something to give to someone with a keen and scrupulous eye for design often proves more difficult. From the imaginary to the fresh and practical, Hames Sharley has compiled this list of book and gift ideas that are sure to thrill the design-conscious.
1. Local Wine. International Design
Wine not start with these stylish Georg Jensen sparkles to kick off the silly season?
Danish design house, Georg Jensen has paired with Tasmanian wine producer, Heemskerk to create a refined sparkling wine in a sleek and contemporary re-sealable bottle.
Click here to view the website.
2. Colour your City
Steve McDonald’s colouring book Fantastic Cities features architectural mandalas and illustrations of real cities that will keep your creative mind young during the holidays.
Click here to buy.
3. Tiny Minds. Elaborate Designs
This gift is for architects of all ages. Tiny Modernism’s baby one-piece lets your child celebrate and acknowledge their most enduring architectural influences.
Click here to buy.
4. A Growing Pot for a Growing Plant
Be inspired by design that adapts and allows growth. The origami-based geometry of ‘GROWTH’ expands and transforms with your plant. (Check out Studio Ayaskan’s other designs for some more stylish and innovative (but perhaps less budget-conscious) ideas).
Click here to view the website.
5. Hands-on with the Adobe Ink and Slide
The ‘Adobe Ink’ is a fine-tip, pressure-sensitive stylus that makes drawing on your iPad more natural and fluid. It comes with the ‘Adobe Slide’, a digital ruler that also lets you draw straight lines, perfect circles and classic French curves. These tools will transform even the most hands-on architect into a tech genius.
6. Architects Rule
Designed and produced in Melbourne, Victoria, this ruler by Dowel Jones is available in four sophisticated colours and made entirely from leather offcuts. While the ruler comes with a ‘natural stretch’ warning that removes a guarantee of a 100% accurate measurement, its sleek and contemporary design will not go unnoticed. A sturdier version comes with a copper backing (that may help prevent off-scale building designs).
7. Ellen Brae, Beauty Redeemed: Recycling Post-Industrial Landscapes 2015
The recycling of post-industrial landscapes is ‘hot right now’ in the disciplines of both landscape and urban design. This book is a history, design theory and survey of such seminal schemes.
Click here to buy.
8. Do the Tango
Kate & Kate’s ‘The Tango’ towels are perfect for any designer that can’t quite grasp anything beyond straight lines and perfect circles. These sleek and stylish bath towels come in two ‘colour-ways’ (grey and white or black and white), and will keep you grounded in the soft sand on your summer escape.
9. Fly in Style
Dream of flying away to the decorative capitals of the world with the ‘Turbo Flyer’ Pattern Series. With the Japanese, Moorish and Greek patterns of these wooden planes on display, you can dream of an exotic and inspiring escape from your living room. Less expensive than a plane ticket and more glamorous than a paper plane, this collection can be carefully thrown in the grass or displayed anywhere in the home.
10. James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofidio & Renfro, The High Line 2015
This beautifully-bound account of the creative inspiration behind the New York High Line, the transformative public park in the sky, is a ‘must have’ for architects, landscape designers and urban planners.
Click here to buy.
11. Let Someone Else Do the Work
You may have missed the deadline for delivery by Christmas, but this gift will keep any design-conscious, house-proud architect entertained throughout the New Year. Chisel & Mouse will model a handcrafted, plaster sculpture of your house that will be forever cherished.
Click here to view the website.
12. Francis D.K. Ching, Architectural Graphics (6th Edition) 2015
The sixth edition of Ching’s Architectural Graphics is an essential guide to architectural drawing. This practical gift is sure to be enjoyed by any budding or experienced architect hoping to refine their best pen skills.
Click here to buy.
13. Get Dressed up this Christmas
Why not wear a building with this summer’s Gorman? London based artist Camille Walala paints bright geometrical patterns onto the sides of buildings. This summer, she collaborated with Melbourne fashion designer Lisa Gorman to create a series of clothing that embraces these recognisably Walala designs. Any outfit by this duo will keep the design-obsessed well-dressed throughout the New Year.
14. Tom Alphin, The Lego Architect 2015
This book is a history of architecture in LEGO models. Check out the recreations of Art Deco, Modernist and Contemporary buildings and then have a go at building your own. Hames Sharley have started their own design challenge with LEGO - Check out some of the creations on Instagram @Hames_Sharley
Click here to buy.
15. A Great Way to Plan Any Project
Conceal your chocolate-fix with these ‘Architect Plans’ chocolates- a tube filled with ruler, T-square, protractor and compass-shaped treats.
Click here to buy.
16. Frank Jacobus, Archi-Graphic: An Infographic Look at Architecture
One for the visually minded - Jacobus’ book uses a variety of inventive infographics to take an unusual look at architecture in a way that would not be possible with words or images alone.
Click here to buy.
17. The Monocle Guide to Cosy Homes 2015
Create cosy-interiors with this “…handbook for making a home that will stand the test of time; take knocks and scuffs in its stride; and where lives can unfold, children grow up, and dogs run wild.”
Click here to buy.
19. Denis-Duhme, Katrin Friedrichs and Heinz-Gert Woschek, Wine and Space: Architectural Design for Vinoteques, Wine Bars and Shops 2015
Drink and Design with a book that considers the space where wine is enjoyed, and its significance as crucial to the way that wine is tasted.
Click here to buy.
20. Stay in the Loop
Get a magazine subscription to fuel a design-mind during 2016.
Click here for some ideas.
21. Perspectives: Thirty Years of Sketches by Luigi Rosselli Architect 2015
Get inspired by the originality and fluidity of Luigi Rosselli’s architectural concept sketches. This 150-page book is a catalogue of an exhibition that celebrated 30 years of Rosselli’s sketches, held at the Mils Gallery, Sydney in May 2015.
Click here to buy.
22. Explore Your City in the Fourth Dimension
4D Cityscapes are multi-layered puzzles that form a map of the city’s streets, islands, roads, railways, parks and geography. Map the city, build the buildings then take a trip through history. Cities include New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Berlin, and even more… including Sydney and Melbourne.
Click here to view the website.
23. Marbelous
Charge your Apple watch in style with this sold marble DOCK by Native Union. Available in white or black, DOCK is a beautiful object for the home and a versatile base for your watch.
Click here to buy.
24. And for Those With an Abundance of Time…
Have a go at re-creating this gingerbread replica of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater….
Click here for instructions.
