101 Things I Learned in Architecture School by Matthew Frederick

21 June 2008 | Category: Reviews
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101 Things I Learned in Architecture School by Matthew Frederick

I purchased the 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School and after 10 minutes of reading, I conclude that this is a funny and by far the best architecture book – ever, this is a book that students of architecture will want to keep in the studio and in their backpacks. It is also a book they may want to keep out of view of their professors, for it expresses in clear and simple language things that tend to be murky and abstruse in the classroom.

I don’t remember ever having any textbook for my design class, if I had, this would be the book, the bible for every architecture student. I recommend reading it, especially first year architecture students.

From my personal point of view, every information in the book is useful, for instant it contains advice on both the technical and the intellectual. Hints for everything from lettering to post modern theory share page space with reminders as varied as ‘design in section’ to ‘if you can’t explain your design in terms your grandmother understands, you don’t understand your own design.’

About the Author, Matthew Frederick is an architect and urban designer in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has taught at a number of colleges and universities, including Boston Architectural College and Wentworth Institute of Technology.


An Architect knows something about everything. An engineer knows everything about one thing.


Cool drawing titles for schematic design
Use a light-coloured marker with a big chisel point to form lowercase architectural letters; then trace around the resulting shapes with a thin black pen.

A good graphic presentation meets the Ten-Foot Test.
The essential elements of the drawings you pin up for a design studio presentation – in particular, labels and titles – should be legible from 10 feet away.

Windows look dark in the daytime.
When rendering an exterior building view, making the windows dark will add depth and realism.

What are you waiting for? Get the 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School book now! Only USD 10.15. View samples of ‘101 Things I Learned in Architecture School’ in pdf format (MIT Press)

All Images Source: Matthew Frederick, 2007, 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School, USA: MIT Press Book.

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16 Comments

What says you? Drop your opinion in the comment box.

  1. shael
    on June 21st, 2008
    1

    nice book
    i’ll try tu buy them

  2. hasha
    on June 21st, 2008
    2

    Ah. yes!
    I’ve read this one, and YES it is a must read book for any architecture student IMO.

  3. xm carreira
    on June 23rd, 2008
    3

    “An Architect knows something about everything. An engineer knows everything about one thing.”

    I quite disagree. In fact, civil engineers tend to be very generalist.

  4. Søren
    on June 27th, 2008
    4

    I bought this book during a field trip with my arcitecture class in Holland. It is a truly amazing little book. It explains all that you need to know in a very, very simple – and easy to remember- way.

  5. Jcizz
    on July 7th, 2008
    5

    Looks good. Wish you had posted this earlier on before I started the course, but oh well.. gonna get it anyway :)

  6. Pau
    on July 9th, 2008
    6

    I have read this book at university and I like, but it’s another book with the impressions from one only man. But it’s alright!

    I have read all your posts, and I think that yours is the best blog explaining Architecture. Maybe you’re not an architect, but your posts makes me wonder!

    Congratulations for your excellent work!

  7. Rafia
    on July 11th, 2008
    7

    Simple, funny and consolidated ! This little book on architectural theories , prinicples and practise is a valuable guide to every student of architecture, and even established architects. Wish this book was published when I was in school…!
    Highly Recommended!!!

  8. sarell
    on July 14th, 2008
    8

    about dat book -oh, i miss it.
    but then, congrats..ur blog really explaining wt is archi. good job.

  9. ron
    on July 19th, 2008
    9

    is the book available in the Philippines???answer plszzz

  10. Calvin
    on July 19th, 2008
    10

    am not to sure if the book is available in Philippines, but you can order it online via amazon.com

  11. renie
    on September 1st, 2008
    11

    wow.!!! i think this is nice one..and great one. sad to say’ im sure this book is not available in my country….

    philippines..

  12. LosAngeles
    on March 5th, 2009
    12

    Indeed… “Draw things in the box that they cam in”

  13. joi
    on April 8th, 2009
    13

    i will try to get it soon..even alrdy 6 yrs practicing architecture…haha..hopefully not to late to read it

  14. joi
    on April 8th, 2009
    14

    dear xm carreira, tips for you – try to learn architecture, by then you will understand it’s all about everything around you

  15. ehsan
    on July 28th, 2009
    15

    i have translateted this book into persian.
    i’m an architecture teacher and a friend of mine brought this book to me as souvenir.i learned much form it.i strongly suggest studying this book to every one who in any matter has connection to architecture.

  16. Rhubz
    on January 8th, 2010
    16

    i have just completed my first year of study and regret not knowing about this treat of a book much sooner. i am still going to buy it though, my lecturers would probably curse me if i do… they like to keep us in the dark and work things out on our own, which takes a lot of time. now, hopefully, things will become clearer.

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