Christmas Archigifts 2009 (wishlist)

As the holidays approach, I've begun a short wishlist of some architecture-related gifts.

There will always be Architecture books (highest priority):
Bldgblog, one of the most-respected architecture blogs, written by Geoff Mannaugh, has now been published in book form.

Yes is More, the comicbook/monograph by BIG

On a practical note, I have been wanting to pick up one of the thorough how-to books on Revit Architecture, such as Mastering Revit Architecture 2010, or Mastering Revit Architecture 2010 (two different books, same title, different authors).

You could make a donation in my name to Architecture for Humanity.

By making a donation today you are supporting a grassroots network of architects, designers and building professionals to lend their talents and expertise in communities where there services are most needed and can least be afforded. You know design matters. Help us use the power of design to build a more sustainable future in communities around the world.

(Also, watch AFH's Cameron Sinclair's lecture at TED; it'll make you feel like you can do more...)

T-shirts:
Archinect has a couple t-shirts and should have some new designs coming out anyday now...

(FYI - I'd also take this one in black on black)

ArchiCULTURE also has a few t-shirts I like...

Revit Architecture

Probably the biggest news for this summer semester is that we will be learning a second BIM (Building Information Modelling) software--Revit. BIM programs allow one to draw/design either in different ways, to edit in ways that make changes throughout the entire project--minimizing endless backtracking to fix little things that got changed in one drawing and overlooked in another. Revit allows one to produce the slick 3d photorealistic renderings as well as the construction documents, material lists, cost estimates, product specifications...all within the same program.

Last semester we started on ArchiCAD--a competing program. It will be interesting to see how different/similar the two programs are to each other.

Here is an example of a Revit rendering.

image credit: here

Archintent Louisville's set on flickr here has some great concept sketches as well as some Sketchup development. The renderings are done in Revit.