Our advice and that of the Platypus
A selection of books that explore ideas, spaces and visions to nourish a passion for design and architecture. Perfect to give as a gift or to add to your library for a creative Christmas.
If you are looking for the perfect gift for a design and architecture enthusiast, this selection of books will accompany you in the discovery of works that combine creativity, reflection and unique visions of the world.
TaniniHome has selected five unmissable volumes, ranging from great classics to new releases, ideal for inspiring and offering new creative stimuli. And for those who want to add a unique touch to their library, Libreria L'Ornitorinco offers a sixth special suggestion: a book that analyzes the history, functions and symbolism of the rooms that make up our homes today.
These books are perfect to put under the tree to give inspiration and knowledge, offering readers a journey through shapes, ideas and projects that leave their mark.
TaniniHome has selected five unmissable volumes, ranging from great classics to new releases, ideal for inspiring and offering new creative stimuli. And for those who want to add a unique touch to their library, Libreria L'Ornitorinco offers a sixth special suggestion: a book that analyzes the history, functions and symbolism of the rooms that make up our homes today.
These books are perfect to put under the tree to give inspiration and knowledge, offering readers a journey through shapes, ideas and projects that leave their mark.
1. One Thing Comes From Another, Notes for a Design Methodology
by Bruno Munari
Publisher: Laterza ( You can find it here ), Price: €14
Publisher: Laterza ( You can find it here ), Price: €14
In this classic first published in 1981, Bruno Munari explores creativity and the design process, showing how ideas can be transformed into concrete objects. The book is full of images, drawings and diagrams that make the most complex concepts accessible. Munari demonstrates that creativity is an innate quality that we all possess, and that design can be within anyone's reach.
Who will like it : Ideal for designers and creativity enthusiasts, but also for those curious to approach the world of design through a clear and inspiring work.
2. Architecture in a Hundred Words by Louise O'Brien
Originally intended for a young audience, this book is a delightful and concise introduction to contemporary architecture. From Zaha Hadid to Art Deco, the one hundred carefully selected entries cover topics such as visionary architects, incredible buildings around the world, and sustainable projects, with captivating illustrations that enrich every page.
Who will like it : Perfect for those who want a first approach to architecture or for those who want a light and visually stimulating read. It also makes a great gift for young design enthusiasts.
3. Fitopolis, the living city
Stefano Mancuso proposes a vision of the cities of the future as "phytopolis", where the relationship between nature and urbanization becomes harmonious and sustainable. A book that analyzes our growing dependence on urban resources and invites us to rethink the city as a green and self-sufficient space.
Who will like it : A must-read for sustainability enthusiasts, designers and urban planners, or anyone who wants to better understand the relationship between nature and architecture in an urban context.
4. The Miracle of Form. For a Psychoanalytic Aesthetic
This groundbreaking text explores the link between psychoanalysis and artistic creation, proposing a new aesthetic that interprets the work of art not as an expression of the author's unconscious, but as a manifestation of a creative force. It is a journey to discover how art and design challenge the limits of language and represent the pure force of artistic impulse.
Who will like it : Ideal for those interested in psychology and contemporary art, or for those looking for a different perspective on artistic creativity.
5. What I like
Francesca Alinovi, whose name has been poorly consigned to history mainly through crime news, was a militant critic who grew up between the Bologna of the counterculture and the New York underground of graffiti artists. In this book, which is part of the OILÀ series in which the stories of protagonists of the twentieth century are presented, Giulia Cavaliere opens the door of her home, her diaries, her wardrobe and her record player, taking us on a journey into the work and burning intimacy of this figure who is both exposed and secret, aimed at the collective and the individual, dark and vital.
Who will like it : This book is perfect for those who want to learn more about the world of art and design of the 70s and 80s or for those who love the biographies of the great protagonists of contemporary culture.
Finally, the special advice from the L'Ornitorinco bookshop:
6. Rooms. Inhabiting desire
Have you ever wondered what the various rooms of the houses we live in represent? What has been and how has their value changed throughout history, on a cultural, political, social level?
Yet the evolution of rooms is also the story of the change in our society: over the centuries the way in which we conceive, furnish, and live the different spaces of our homes has transformed, just as our roles in the world, our daily routines, and family dynamics have changed.
Luca Molinari, in the essay "Stanze. Abitare il desiderio" published nottetempo, reflects precisely on this, through an intimate story that passes through the history of the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedrooms, to invite us to observe and inhabit the places that are so familiar to us with a completely new awareness.
These books offer different reading experiences, but all essential for those who want to delve deeper into the world of architecture and design. Whether it is a classic like Munari or a modern vision like Mancuso's, each of these texts will enrich the reader with new ideas and creative perspectives.
