(Part 2) Best products from r/architecture

you have a good start and it's always fun to sketch by hand and figure out how space works.

I know a lot of people here have said to pick up computer programs but I would start with learning how to scale and proportion first and the best way to do that is by hand. The computer is an amazing tool and can help tremendously but there is no replacement for hand sketching.

Check out some books by Francis DK Ching, they are a really good resource. Specifically Form, Space, and Order and since you seem to like laying out space also look at Interior Design Illustrated.

These aren't the end all be all resources but they are great for getting started and also show what a really well done sketch looks like.

Good luck and keep posting those sketches!

As an architecture student who asked himself this same question not so long ago I'd say:

• Modern Architecture: A Critical History by Kenneth Frampton.
  The most introductory, simple to understand, first book you should pick up when ready to jump into some actual architecture. This is the book that you need to read even before architecture school, for your entrance test and just because.
  
  
• Architecture of the City by Aldo Rossi.
  This one is also an easy read that will make you realise how important architecture is for us as human beings, as a society, as a city, as a community, as people... how architecture is not just a free standing building by some "starchitect" in a magazine but a part of something bigger. Great read and one of my favourites.
  
  
• Towards a new architecture by Le Corbusier.
  Love him or hate him Le Corbusier changed the world and studying and understanding how and why will greatly help you understand architecture today. This book might be a bit philosophical and theoretical but it's written for people to understand, not just architects. A must read I'd say.
  
  
• Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture by Christian Norberg-Schulz.
  I'd say this is a book you should read to complement and expand on Aldo Rossi's. Genius Loci is the spirit of a place, it's character and distinctive self. Great read.
  
  
• Architecture As Space by Bruno Zevi.
  Great book to understand how Architecture are not just façades and photos but designed spaces and experiences and how we experience them with our senses, the way they make us feel. This book will make you look at architecture from a different perspective, and you will since then experience the world differently.
  
  BONUS:
  
  
• 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School by Matthew Frederick. Simple and to the point, might not seem like much and honestly don't take it too seriously but it's nice to keep around and going through it will remind you of things that sometimes we tend to forget.
  
  Hope this helps and gets you started on a good path. :) Have a nice day.

Okay, I'm not going into architecture really but I would like to have some advice. I'm in illustration and I'm looking on learning how to design and get the fundamentals of architecture. I'm pretty decent at perspective (I'm in technical illustration) and I mainly want to learn the thought process. Some books mentioned in this thread are pretty interesting and I'm contemplating on maybe buying one or 2. Although before I do I was wondering if anyone can enlighten me on these books I've found on my own but unsure about the quality:

http://www.amazon.com/City-Shaped-Patterns-Meanings-Through/dp/0821220160/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373412339&sr=1-1&keywords=The+City+Shaped%3A+Urban+Patterns+and+Meanings+Through+History

^ This books seems really promising, but of course the price puts me off a little (I plan on buying more than one book) anyone have this book? Seems really great for inspiration and learning how cities develop.

http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Architecture-Francis-D-Ching/dp/1118142063/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373412493&sr=1-1&keywords=Introduction+to+Architecture

^ again another promising book but the price Q.Q Same issue as the other book above. Feedback is appreciated.

http://www.amazon.com/Architectural-Graphics-Francis-D-Ching/dp/0470399112/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1373412567&sr=1-1&keywords=Architectural+Graphics

http://www.amazon.ca/Interior-Design-Illustrated-Francis-Ching/dp/1118090713/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=9P9QTDTSZXLG&coliid=I248RXWWVDQ6NZ

I'm basically looking at Ching's books. Last one is a .ca amazon.

Its worth it to read the article a bit beyond just the section I quoted.

I’m sure we’d agree that precedent has different uses. It can be used as a technical reference for detailing a certain similar condition. It can be used as a planning solution, in say an arrangement of circulation for a library. It can be used as a typological reference such as at Jefferson’s use of the Pantheon for UVA’s library. Architecture school most often is about learning methods and techniques that use precedent in this way.

The author’s reference to Quatremere de Quincy is about a different role for precedent. The Classical ideal of Beauty in architecture is a close imitation of Nature (not in any specific form of foliage or rock formation, but in the order, proportionality, and harmony of the natural world). The selection and use of precedence in those mode isn’t about finding an off-the-rack solution to the problem at hand, but about finding models that best imitate the order, proportionality, and harmony of Nature. The model for imitation is Nature itself, and the precedent serves as guide.

This was largely well understood until the enlightenment, when the use of precedent moved away from the imitation of Nature, to imitation of the works themselves. This is largely how it is used today, and how it is taught in many schools. When Nature was removed as the object for imitation, it left open the question of selection of precedent. There is a good history complete with references in this book if ever interested.

All the early modernists were trained classicists, and to a large extent many of their buildings are more successful because of that education compared to the later generation taught differently.

Are you still in school or working? Either way, I'd recommend talking to a professional about it. I had somewhat similar issues while I was at school and did a few sessions of therapy which I thought helped quite a bit.

I agree that taking some time away from the work is a good way to reinvigorate oneself. Take a long weekend trip somewhere, go for a hike or bicycle ride, see a movie. Put architecture completely out of your mind, take some time off, and then see what interests you as you get back into the swing of things. Good luck!

E: I like the idea of reading some architecture books that aren't heavy theory as a way to help reinvigorate your interest. Here's a couple I've enjoyed in the past:

http://www.amazon.com/Architecture-Essay-Landscapes-Buildings-Machines/dp/0262691663

http://www.amazon.com/Most-Beautiful-House-World/dp/0140105662/ref=la_B000AQ1U8A_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452268020&sr=1-7

You'll want to get the book "The Sustainable City is Possible: A possible strategy for recovering urban quality and local economies" An Italian architect has ran these numbers based on Italian construction methods. Of course construction costs are something that cannot be understood at once globally, but regionally at best.

Chapters 4 and 5 are a deep dive on the costs and energy costs of traditional building. The author is Italian and these chapters can be very technical at times as it uses ISTAT data (Italian Bureau of Statistics) for direct costs of various building types, and uses EC Regulation nr 1165/98 of the European Union Council to update costs and using their economic-trend statistics.

In his models the cost of land, design, and profit margins are excluded and he focuses mostly on residential building types. The author goes back to the last period of traditional construction (1920s & 30s) and illustrates a large number of buildings and their costs and updates them to todays dollars (2010 when the book was published). His costs are broken up into structural systems, roofings, basements, furnishings, and other systems needed.

He then compares this to today's construction costs, and at the end of the day determines that traditional building is typically 11.03% to 41.24% less expensive to construct that contemporary methods.

He then goes into the various reasons for this. One reason is that todays construction techniques have lots of wait time. Particularly in a very concrete heavy industry where waiting for curing prevents things like floors from being loaded before load-bearing structural elements are ready. This draws out labor time. Compared to load bearing construction where loading floors as quickly as possible is essential to the structural integrity. The author goes into other cost saving aspects of traditional building like maintenance costs...

Interestingly, if one were to build like this today it would place it into a "Luxury" market, and when comparing these costs to other Luxury market buildings the costs savings reach 49.96% - 66.78%!

You might be interested in the authors online paper The District
Testaccio in Rome and the policy of the ICP (Institute for Social Housing)

>What I would have never expected was the “discovery” of the incredible speed of execution and the
cheapness of those houses, which, after one century, have never had the necessity of maintenance costs. As well as I could not imagine the ICP had worked competing with private entrepreneurship. Having had the chance to document building times and costs of so many buildings, (organized by type) made in Roman districts like
Testaccio, San Saba, Città Giardino Aniene, Garbatella, Trionfale, Appio, San Pancrazio, Flaminio, Latino
etc. - compared with those of the Roman ecomonster Corviale - has not only been a chance to find answers to a series of doubts I had, but it also gave me the possibility to prove how many lies have been said to justify industrial building and urbanism, which, as a matter of fact, have led cities to an irresponsible sprawl, and the IACP to bankruptcy.


And you might also be interested in the authors lecture here:

Lecture: Urban Regeneration of the Slums: The Corviale in Rome and the Zen in Palermo

In my humble opinion, the following are great and important reads for a newcomer into the subject.

Experiencing Architecture by Rasmussen

Any and ALL of Frank Ching's books, starting with Form, Space and Order

Sun, Wind, and Light is a timeless reference book.

The Dynamics of Architectural Form by Rudolf Arnheim is a great study on environmental psychology.

Also, Pattern Language if you're a complete masochist and really want to go DEEP into the subject.

I've got more if you're interested, but that should keep you busy for quite a while haha. Best of luck and I hope you find them as enjoyable as I have.

This is a laudable effort but (un)fortunately really has little to do with architecture. What you've drawn are some made up elevations, each representing a different house. While as a general ambition commendable, this way of thinking is very unarchitectural. It would be far better if you tried to draw four elevations of a single house - then you'd encounter what architecture really deals with and what it's all about - interconnectedness and various relationships. That single exercise would force you to think about what's happening behind corners and behind walls, it'd force you to think in terms of space, not surface. Elevations especially in modern architecture are the consequence of the inner disposition and plan, so thinking about modern architecture (as in contemporary, not necessarily modernist) from the outside is the wrong approach. Classicist architecture could perhaps justify this approach.


I realize that you're still very young and that I'm seemingly demanding too much, but my intention is not to chastise you but to dispel misapprehensions about architecture as such, among those the notion that one can get away with casual dabbling with it. Architectural manifestations are a response it's content, function, to it's inner and outer processes and relationships. One of my professors used to say 'don't draw a dining room, draw lunch', because it's all about the 'why' and 'what for'. So if you're genuinely interested in pursuing architecture I'd recommend this fun and delightful book and wish you all the best.

The SCI-Arc has every single one of their guest speaker lectures online. That's a good way of getting to hear from world class architects in their own words. They'll talk about anything from their recent works, to their philosophies, to other architects.

I'm sure as an architecture lover, you already have some architects you like, so invest in their published works. They will explain their philosophies and design approaches quite well.

I'd recommend S,M,L,XL by Rem Koolhaas, since it's been one of the most influential books for contemporary architecture.

Along the same lines, Learning From Las Vegas by Venturi is another work that exploded onto the scene and changed the discourse.

If you spend a few minutes on Amazon, you can easily be staring at thousands of dollars worth of delicious books.

I am an architect. I gained my Bachelors from UNM and masters from Rice. I largely focus on theoretical works that incorporate computation and digital fabrication.

I personally think The Fountainhead is a joke. There is nothing in that book that relates to anything truly in Architecture other than using the profession as a tool for her to present her personally skewed views on things. Could have been about a plumber.

If there is a "religious experience" it is in throwing yourself into what you love. But I can't imagine someone stuck detailing windows on four story double loaded corridor apartment buildings having a religious experience...unless it is some sort of pittance.

I would do a lot more investigating into the field. There are many corners of the profession that are all interesting and unique. I would start by visiting some local schools if you happen to be near any. You may be able to have a visit and get a sense of the student commitment and time consumption. Post charette can be a good time to visit and see the chaos in its resultant form and watching students present on little to no sleep.

If Ayn Rand is what is motivating you to get into architecture I would recommend you instead turn to something like, The Atlas of Novel Tectonics and Italo Calvino's Invisible Cities as more appropriate places to begin to understand Architecture from within...at least in its generalized contemporary form.

Atlas of Novel Tectonics
http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Novel-Tectonics-Jesse-Reiser/dp/1568985541

Invisible Cities
http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-Cities-Italo-Calvino/dp/0156453800


If these things make you hungrier...keep feeding the investigation.

It is super pricey and maybe a cliche answer to the question, because you are almost certainly aware of it, but the AIA's Architectural Graphics Standards is really an amazing document for getting a handle on industry standards.

My RS Means subscription is all digital now, so I don't know how the paper copies work anymore, but this is a really useful tool for not only understanding the cost of elements and how it bears on decision making, but also just seeing what building types and details are common. Again, this is sort of expensive.

In terms of codes, I use ASHRAE 90.1 a lot. The ICC codes are available. They form the underlying basis of a lot of municipal code now.

Don't be afraid to rely on industry specific sources, either. A lot of times the Precast Concrete Institute or whomever will publish standard details, span tables, specs, etc. for free, in hopes that architects will choose their system.

I don't know if any of that is helpful or not. Good luck!

Sure, most of your work (the first 80% of your projects) would be done on the move whilst studying, before bringing out the big guns when the project becomes more consistent and ready to render. In that first phase, you would only need to run your drafting softwares smoothly. Another important aspect to consider is your workflow, whether it's more CPU or GPU oriented.

So I think the most important points to focus on are:

• Nice CPU performance. Single-core or multi-core would be up to you to decide, as I said before depending on your workflow.
  
• Decent GPU maybe to run test renders, or to throw smaller scenes to render on it while the big ones are on your desktop.
  
• Great thermal performance, otherwhise all your money spent would be no good when the workload becomes heavy.
  
• 16GB RAM is fair enough to avoid shortage.
  
  Some of the names that may come up are
  
  
• Lenovo Legion Y540 : https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/legion-laptops/legion-y-series/Lenovo-Legion-Y540-15/p/88GMY501214 Maybe the best option. You can choose between the different models
  
• Acer Helios 300 https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Predator-Overclockable-Aeroblade-PH315-51-78NP/dp/B07CTHLX8C/ref=sr_1_1?fst=as%3Aoff&qid=1565111711&refinements=p_n_feature_five_browse-bin%3A13580788011%7C13580789011%7C13580790011%2Cp_n_feature_seven_browse-bin%3A18107821011%7C18107822011&rnid=3012494011&s=computers-intl-ship&sr=1-1
  
• Raze Blade 15 https://www.razer.com/gaming-laptops/razer-blade/shop
  
  Don't forget to consider balancing between your desktop and your laptop. Most of the 1000-1400$ while run perfectly while developing your project (also for renders), and you can't beat a desktop performance-wise since you can overclock, watercool your system and upgrade it anytime you want.

Where in Canada is this?
You also want to look at wind direction for passive ventilation.

The Key to making a passive or zero energy building is to first reduce the loads, so do what you can to reduce need for electric lights during the day by sun lighting. Also, because you seem to be in a cold climate, the thermal envelope will be very important. Although it may be desirable to have floor to ceiling windows on the north side, consider what this will do for heat loss.

A good place to start would be a look at the Passivhaus standards. Some good references for this kind of stuff would be MEEB, Sun, Wind and Light and The Green Studio Handbook.

also, as main82 suggested, a trombe wall could be a good idea, but you'll need to look at how much direct solar gain you will be getting to analyze whether or not it will be effective. Also look at a sunspace in combination with the trombe wall.

Hope this helps.

(PS: PM me if you want MEEB)

I can't be THAT smart, because I can't tell for sure if your comment is sincere or you're being a smart-arse :)

I'm an architect, I know stuff, but can't possibly pretend to know everything in the field- it is vast, so you never stop learning.

There's a lot of good online resources if you just want to look at the subject of architecture/ design. Here are just a few for you to check out if you really are interested:

http://www.dezeen.com/

http://archidose.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.designboom.com/

http://bldgblog.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.ilikearchitecture.net/

http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/

http://inhabitat.com/

http://fuckyeahbrutalism.tumblr.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_architecture

http://www.architizer.com/blog/history-of-modern-architecture-through-movies/



Also, Some Great Books:

http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Architecture-Critical-History-Edition/dp/0500203954

http://www.amazon.com/Towards-New-Architecture-Dover/dp/0486250237/ref=pd_sim_b_7

http://www.amazon.com/101-Things-Learned-Architecture-School/dp/0262062666/ref=pd_sim_b_5

Then my next piece of advice is to learn Rhino. Don't mess with Sketchup or Autocad unless they're stepping stones. Go from Rhino to Revit. It'll be an awkward way of thinking, but you're just preparing yourself for how the industry will change.

Otherwise, I'd highly recommend this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Novel-Tectonics-Jesse-Reiser/dp/1568985541/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398504475&sr=8-1&keywords=atlas+of+novel+tectonics

It might be a little outdated (also pardon the US version of the link), but if you can grasp some of the material in the book, you'll benefit. If you can't, just keep at it. Be observant, be curious, be adventurous, and be original.

http://www.amazon.com/Function-Ornament-Farshid-Moussavi/dp/8496540502
Fantastic illustrations of a variety of building envelopes both structural and otherwise. Uses built examples for almost all types by my recollection. Great for inspiration and ideas for how details can work.

http://www.amazon.com/Pamphlet-Architecture-27-Benjamin-Aranda/dp/1568985479/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269553049&sr=1-1
Great if you're interested in systematic or digital design. Outlines of few processes that convey a way of thinking about design based around a sort of formula or algorithm.

I had Speaks' seminar when he was still @ SCI_Arc: Modernism, Postmodernism, Supermodernism. I have several times attempted to track down my notes from that class and would be happy to share them with you if I ever do find them.

The Bible for that seminar was SuperModernism. Good Lord, I had no idea that book was worth so much now. It was definitely worth its weight in gold and very difficult to obtain 4 years ago. Anyhow, I recommend highly asking your favorite architectural librarian for a copy. It is a short brief, worthwhile read.

Also, Michael Speaks' running column in A+U magazine, Design Intelligence, is worth tracking down to get the sense of his arguments.

I'll try to follow up on this later (if there is enough interest) with more links (or, you can just PM me).


Edit: By the way, can you point us towards the person/website you cite, please?

Look through a broad survey book like Modern Architecture by Curtis. Pick one that you're interested in. Don't pick something because other people like it. Select an architect you like personally and you'll be more motivated to learn about them. It'll be more fun that way for sure.

It's a 26 story mixed use high rise. The footprint does vary a lot as you move up the building, first 10 floors contain a parking garage plinth (Ungodly, but we're having to work around an existing structure that takes up a quarter of the lot. Because of that, our parking is way less than optimal, but its the best we could do). First floor is retail, and we do have a sky lobby with some building ammenities and a public resturant and some things along those lines. On floors like that, the core takes up a smaller portion of the overall square footage because we have a larger building footprint. We're also restricting the amount of stories of our building because after a certain height we hit a few city ordinances that to implement would make the building less cost efficient.

The 87% is just on our typical office floors. It's actually not the most efficient floors, our first floor is because of the large retail spaces in comparison to the core (larger floor plate with the same core and a negligible additional stair). $$$ for the developer.

On the upper floors, the percentage is a little lower because the overall floor plate is smaller, however the core is the same size. We were able to terminate an egress stair when the floor plate stepped back, but that reclaimed floor space only does so much.
In school, I was taught that the most optimum core would be 1/10th of your floor plate... in real life I haven't seen that achieved too often.

I recommend The Architect's Studio Companion for helping you get a feel for the spaces that make up a core, and sizing them appropriately for your building occupancy type and footprint.

I go to a Beaux-Arts-based program, and this by far is the most beautiful book we've used (it was required in our studio). It's only watercolor renderings of Rome, but every page is absolutely gorgeous. Hope this helps!

http://www.amazon.com/Ruins-Ancient-Rome-Architects-1786-1924/dp/089236680X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1321309335&sr=8-2

Some books to help with that, depending on what you need.

Architecture Reference - A good introduction that also goes into specifics.

Building Construction Illustrated - A broad overview of most parts of putting a building together (technical).

The Function of Ornament - A more theoretical view of architecture in a modern cultural context; you might find it interesting in regards to your job as a social scientist (not cheap, though).

Hope this helps!

I would Recommend Francis D.K. Chings Architectural Graphics

Some of my students have also had good luck with The Architect's Studio Companion

Cool renderings. What program/engine are you using?

Ching: Form, Space and Order

A wonderful book. Hand drawn and hand lettered.

Aside from the fact that I wonder how you can be a city planner without already having a reasonable knowledge of architecture.

Most useful will be things like

The city Assembled - http://www.amazon.co.uk/City-Assembled-Elements-Through-History/dp/0500281726/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1450647413&sr=1-1&keywords=the+city+assembled

Lessons for students in Architecture - hertzberger http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lessons-Students-Architecture-Herman-Hertzberger/dp/9064505624

http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Architecture-Critical-History-Edition/dp/0500203954

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0714833568/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687582&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0500203954&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Z665JV5G6RXW4Z3TFF4

https://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/books/art-architecture-photography/sir-banister-fletchers-a-history-of-architecture-hd_100580874?pscid=ps_ggl_shopping&gclid=CODhn7ux68kCFVCZGwodLqgEDw&dclid=CNrar7ux68kCFYJBGQod0rkIJg

perhaps a bunch of documentaries
http://www.archdaily.com/467225/40-architecture-documentaries-to-watch-in-2014


I enjoy Jonathan Meads ones
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03vrphc
they are a bit quirky though

Georges Perec's species of spaces helped me when i went through a similar thing, he has a different way of looking at the world and its full of fabulously inspiring references.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Species-Spaces-Pieces-Penguin-Classics/dp/0141442247/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288993123&sr=8-1

my tutor was the reason i lost interest and stopped believing in my ability to design, sometime you just have to get on with it and turn it into something you passionate about again.

I'm curious. You mentioned you were an undergrad, and in your 3rd and last year of studio? What kind of program is it? Is it for a BS in Arch? I ask because at my college, for a BArch, there are 5 years of studio.

Edit: I'll add what helped me, I'm pretty sure everyone goes through this at some point. I tried to renew my love for architecture, and did so pretty well. Check out some architecture magazines, go on a small field trip to a good building nearby (2-3 hour drive away, something you never got a chance to see). I also highly reccomend these two books on architectural history/theory. Delirious New York by Rem Koolhaas and Learning from Las Vegas by Robert Venturi. I found them both very interesting and, no offense to the theorists of the early 20th century, but these are a little more for our time.

The Most Beautiful House in the World

• Gives an interesting perspective on space, intention, and what makes a house a home (to me, your mileage may vary).
  
  Invisible Cities
  
  
• Can't really explain it other than pure imagination fuel.

Francis D. K. Ching books would be a place to start.

D.K. Ching Books

I would suggest: Building Construction Illustrated and Architecture: Form, Space, and Order

Then maybe some more of his books as you are interested.

There is also a series of HomeDepot books: Plumbing 1-2-3 Wiring 1-2-3 etc that have lots of basic info: 1-2-3 Series

Feel free to ask if you are looking for anything more specific.

Check out Form Space and Order by DK Ching.

Check out 30x40 Design Studio, Timeless Homes, and How To Architect on YouTube.

You might also enjoy this: https://www.coursera.org/learn/making-architecture

If you want any more recommendations for anything specific feel free to PM me.

Theory will fail you. Trust me. & Francis Ching is an illustrator. He is not a builder.

Here's what I did. I collected the Graphic Standards. There are 11 editions in all.

http://www.amazon.com/Architectural-Graphic-Standards-11th-Edition/dp/0471700916

And then I carefully traced the changes in construction from one edition to the next on details that I thought were salient to my project. And for each project, regardless of whether a teacher wanted it or not, I put up a page of details. Because it is in the details that the construction reveals itself.

And after that you can start to go to the trades. Got precast in your project - go the the precast manufacturer association and look for details that would describe your solution.

Learn the details.

Your own theory will follow as a framework for your knowledge and for your values. In school, they'll teach it to you backwards. They'll take the theories of others who have gone through the process and give it to you fully baked, and without anything else, you'll end up knowing nothing.

Trust the Graphic Standards, even those from 1932. They have a ton to teach you.

has to be the most comprehensive Zaha book there is
http://www.amazon.com/Zaha-Hadid-Complete-Works-1979-2009/dp/3836502941/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321343912&sr=8-1

as for other suggestions one of my all time favorites is S,M,L,XL by OMA, Rem Koolhaas and Bruce Mau
http://www.amazon.com/S-M-XL-Rem-Koolhaas/dp/1885254865/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321344076&sr=1-5

S, M, L, XL by Rem Koolhaas

Not explicitly about casinos, but Robert Venturi’s Learning from Las Vegas is interesting

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Las-Vegas-Forgotten-Architectural/dp/026272006X

Francis Chings books a really good place to start, i still use this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Architecture-Space-Francis-D-K-Ching/dp/0471286168

If you're going all out nothing will be as useful as graphic standards. http://www.amazon.com/Architectural-Graphic-Standards-11th-Edition/dp/0471700916

https://www.amazon.com/Architects-Studio-Companion-Preliminary-Design/dp/0470641916

Architectural Graphic Standards