Analysing Architecture
📘 About This Book
Analysing Architecture offers a unique 'notebook' of architectural strategies to present an engaging introduction to elements and concepts in architectural design. Beautifully illustrated throughout with the author's original drawings, examples are drawn from across the world, and from many periods architectural history (from prehistoric times to the very recent past), to illustrate analytical themes and to show how drawing can be used to study architecture.In this second edition the framework for analysis has been revised and enlarged, and further case studies added. Many new drawings have been included, illustrating further examples of the themes explored. The link between analysis and learning about the possibilities of design has been reinforced, and the bibliography of recommended supplementary reading has been expanded.
📖 Summary
Analysing Architecture by Simon Unwin offers a unique notebook approach to architectural strategies, serving as an engaging and thoughtful introduction to the fundamental elements and concepts of architectural design. First published in 1997 and spanning over two hundred pages, the book approaches architecture not merely as a collection of finished monuments, but as a dynamic language of spatial ideas and human interventions. Throughout the text, Unwin guides the reader through the foundational grammar of how we shape space, construct shelter, and relate to our physical environment. Rather than presenting a rigid textbook doctrine, the author acts as a mentor, using his own distinctive illustrations to demonstrate how careful observation and analytical drawing can unlock the secrets of built form. The scope of the work is remarkably vast, drawing examples from across the globe and spanning vast expanses of architectural history, from prehistoric dwellings to contemporary structures. By examining both vernacular traditions and masterworks of the past, Unwin illustrates core analytical themes that transcend specific periods or styles. He shows how architects throughout time have addressed universal challenges, such as the relationship between inside and outside, the creation of paths and places, and the definition of boundaries. The physical format and pedagogical philosophy of the book emphasize that analysis and design are deeply interconnected. By studying existing buildings through the lens of Unwin's framework, readers learn to see the architectural possibilities available to their own creative endeavors. The inclusion of extensive case studies and personal sketches encourages students and enthusiasts alike to pick up a pencil and begin analyzing the world around them. Ultimately, Analysing Architecture is an invitation to look closer, think deeper, and understand the profound ways in which physical space influences human experience, behavior, and imagination.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Engaging notebook style approach
Richly illustrated with original author drawings
Covers a broad span of architectural history
Connects historical analysis to practical design learning
⚠️ Cons
May require a basic foundational interest in spatial design to fully appreciate
Focuses more on conceptual frameworks than technical construction details
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
What is the main premise of Analysing Architecture? +
The book presents a notebook of architectural strategies and concepts to help readers understand the foundational elements of design through analysis and drawing.
Who wrote the book? +
It was written by author and educator Simon Unwin.
What historical periods are covered in the examples? +
Examples are drawn from a wide array of periods in architectural history, ranging from prehistoric times to the very recent past.
How are the concepts illustrated? +
The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with the author's own original drawings and sketches.
How does the book connect analysis to design? +
It reinforces the direct link between studying how buildings work and learning about the vast possibilities available in your own design work.
