Featured Bookshop Publications February

To place an order, please contact bookshop manager Clodagh McKenna, on +353 (0)1 676 1703 or cmckenna@riai.ie, or visit us in store at 8 Merrion Square, Dublin.

New Housing 3

€60.00

The RIAI, with support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has published New Housing 3, a key resource for all involved in housing delivery in Ireland. This 564-page volume showcases 100 housing projects — from large urban developments to smaller infill schemes — across both the public and private sectors. Each project includes site and design strategies, unit types, and data bars for easy comparison against development standards. Building on previous RIAI housing publications, it highlights the role of architects in creating high-quality, sustainable housing and shares practical solutions from across Ireland. Expert essays provide additional insight into housing challenges and opportunities nationwide.

Soundscape Architecture 

By Karen Van Lengen and Jim Welty

 €46.00

Soundscape Architecture explores the intersection of architecture, sound, and perception, offering an innovative look at how sonic environments shape the experience of space. Karen Van Lengen and Jim Welty combine rigorous research with a creative visual approach, presenting case studies, historical examples, and design experiments that illuminate the auditory dimension of architecture.

The book’s layout mirrors its subject: a thoughtful interplay of text, images, diagrams, and sound maps guides the reader through complex ideas in a highly accessible and engaging manner. With striking visuals and clear, evocative writing, Soundscape Architecture is both an informative reference and a source of inspiration for architects, designers, and anyone interested in the multisensory experience of built environments.

Building Construction Illustrated, 7th Edition 

By Francis D. K. Ching

€54.00

A definitive visual guide to the principles of building construction, Building Construction Illustrated is an essential resource for architects, designers, students, and construction professionals. Renowned for its clear and detailed hand-drawn illustrations, this 7th edition brings a comprehensive overview of building materials, methods, and systems used in contemporary practice.

Francis D.K. Ching’s unique graphic approach simplifies complex construction concepts, making them accessible and engaging. Updated to reflect recent advances in building technology and sustainable design, this edition includes new coverage of green building techniques, resilient structures, and contemporary detailing.

Whether you are learning the fundamentals or refreshing your knowledge, this classic text remains an indispensable companion in understanding the language of architecture and construction.

Drawing Architecture 

By Helen Thomas

€48.00

Drawing Architecture offers an inspiring exploration of architectural drawing as both a creative tool and a means of communication. Helen Thomas guides readers through a wide range of drawing techniques, from quick sketches to detailed renderings, emphasizing the importance of hand drawing in the digital age.
With clear explanations and beautiful examples, this book encourages architects, students, and enthusiasts to develop their observational skills and experiment with different media. It highlights how drawing enhances understanding of space, form, and design intention, making it an invaluable resource for those passionate about architectural visualization.
An essential guide for anyone looking to refine their architectural drawing practice and creativity.

Planning and Designing Cities for a Rising Sea Level

By Gertrud Jørgensen, Tom Nielsen, Karsten Arnbjerg-Nielsen, Kamilla Stener Møller

€53.00

Planning and Designing Cities for a Rising Sea Level addresses one of the most urgent challenges of contemporary urbanism — how to adapt and design coastal cities in response to rising sea levels driven by climate change. This timely collection of essays and case studies brings together experts in architecture, urban planning, landscape design, and environmental science to explore innovative strategies for resilient and sustainable urban development.
Through multidisciplinary perspectives, the book examines governance, risk assessment, infrastructure, and design interventions that can protect vulnerable communities while fostering ecological balance. A vital resource for architects, planners, policymakers, and scholars engaged in shaping the future of our cities in a changing climate.

Four Books by de Blacam and Meagher

By Shane de Blacam

€225.00

Four Books is a distinguished architectural folio set celebrating the work of Irish architect Shane de Blacam and his practice, de Blacam & Meagher. Released to mark Shane de Blacam’s Royal Academy Architecture Prize Lecture, this special edition presents four volumes—Circle, Works, Corner, and Houses—which together explore the studio’s elegant and thoughtful approach to architecture.
Known for their material sensitivity, simplicity, and timeless design, de Blacam & Meagher’s projects are showcased through rich drawings, photographs, and critical essays. This collector’s edition, housed in a bespoke Solander box, offers an intimate insight into one of Ireland’s most respected architectural practices.

Glamour & Gloom: 1930s Architecture in Belfast

By David Brett

€21.50

Glamour & Gloom: 1930s Architecture in Belfast offers a captivating exploration of Belfast’s architectural landscape during a decade of great social and economic change. David Brett delves into the contrasting styles and moods of the 1930s, revealing how glamour and austerity coexisted in the city’s buildings.
Featuring rich photographic documentation and insightful analysis, this book examines residential, commercial, and public architecture that shaped Belfast’s identity. A compelling study for historians, architects, and anyone interested in the cultural heritage of Northern Ireland’s capital.

Arquitectura Viva 278: Herzog & de Meuron

By Arquitectura Viva

€30.00

This special issue of Arquitectura Viva is dedicated to the renowned Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron, offering a comprehensive survey of their projects, design philosophy, and impact on contemporary architecture. Featuring in-depth essays, project analyses, and interviews, the issue provides critical insight into the firm’s innovative approach to materials, form, and context.
True to Arquitectura Viva’s signature style, the magazine combines meticulous editorial design with high-quality photography and drawings. Its carefully structured layout guides the reader through the complexities of Herzog & de Meuron’s work, making the issue both an informative resource and a visually engaging publication. Essential for students, architects, and enthusiasts of contemporary international architecture.

Ricardo BofillVisions of Architecture

By Gestalten & Ricardo Bofill

€72

Ricardo Bofill: Visions of Architecture presents a striking visual and conceptual survey of the work of celebrated Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. The book covers his iconic projects, from bold urban interventions to sculptural residential designs, highlighting the visionary ideas that underpin his approach to architecture.

The new edition maintains the hallmark quality of gestalten publications: clean, elegant layouts, high-resolution photography, and detailed architectural drawings that allow readers to experience Bofill’s work in depth. Essays and project analyses are interwoven with visual storytelling, making this both an informative reference and an immersive visual journey. A must-have for architects, students, and enthusiasts of imaginative, large-scale, and humanistic architecture.

The House of Doctor Koolhaas 

By Françoise Fromonot

€17.50

The House of Doctor Koolhaas is an innovative study of Rem Koolhaas’s early work, focusing on the Villa dall’Ava, presented in a style reminiscent of a detective novel. Each volume in this series investigates a singular building as if it were a mystery waiting to be solved—its forms, spaces, and design strategies carefully examined and revealed step by step.
Françoise Fromonot blends architectural analysis with narrative storytelling, while the book’s design mirrors its subject: precise layouts, detailed drawings, and evocative photography guide the reader through the building’s conceptual and material intricacies. This approach transforms the architectural monograph into an immersive experience, making the exploration of Koolhaas’s work both intellectually rigorous and compellingly readable. Essential for architects, students, and anyone fascinated by the investigative side of architectural design.