Designers’ offices are often filled with design books, and with good reason: A great book is one of the best ways to find inspiration. As part of our ongoing sustainability coverage, we asked five interior designers and architects what titles have inspired them to design more sustainably, so you can add them to your TBR pile or your holiday wish list.
Circular Design and Toxins Explained
“Written by architect William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things makes the case for changing our current design and manufacturing processes to a cradle-to-cradle model, where materials are treated as nutrients that can be reused indefinitely. The authors challenge the idea of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ and the cradle-to-grave system, [instead] advocating for a revolutionary approach that mimics the regenerative cycles of nature. Although it was written more than 20 years ago, the principles in this book are just as relevant today. It’s a must-have reference book for anyone interested in sustainability. Also, there is a wealth of knowledge in Healthy Child, Healthy World by Christopher Gavigan, a book about common chemicals and products that cause harm and contribute to unhealthy indoor air quality in your home. Gavigan breaks down the science on why certain products are bad for the environment (and for us), providing simple action items for creating a healthier home for your family.” —Jennifer Jones, Niche Interiors, San Francisco
Socially Minded Architecture and Ancient Ideas
“Rural Studio: Samuel Mockbee and an Architecture of Decency by Andrea Oppenheimer Dean and Timothy Hursley is about a professor who engaged his students in deeply regenerative work in rural Alabama around the turn of the millennium, before his sudden death. It is inspiring to see simple materials and appropriate technology in the service of racial justice and exceptional design. Lo-Tek: Design by Radical Indigenism offers a beautiful set of examples from traditional building cultures all over the world that are still practicing real-life strategies of living in harmony with their environment. The book is a result of research done in collaboration with author Julia Watson’s students and has lovely analytical drawings in each chapter.” —Jessica Helgerson, Jessica Helgerson Interior Design, Portland, Oregon
Old House Helper
“We source sustainable, recycled materials like any other contemporary firm—tiles, fabrics, wallpapers, vintage and antique furniture—but our ethos on sustainability is rooted in designing homes to last, buying [only] what you need, fixing things that are broken and mending things that are worn, rather than replacing. The Old-House Doctor by Christopher Evers is full of tips and tricks on how to fix a variety of common household problems, keeping an old house—and really any house—good as new. This great book is also full of helpful and charming illustrations that add to the joy and satisfaction of doing things yourself.” —Lauren Geremia, Geremia Design, San Francisco
Design Forward and Outdoor Inspiration
“The Greenest Home: Superinsulated and Passive House Design by Julie Torres Moskovitz has an expansive range of case studies that offer boundless inspiration that everyone in any profession can draw from; whether you’re a student, contractor, experienced designer or homeowner. It has always pushed me to prioritize energy efficiency and ecological harmony in my projects. Small Green Roofs by Nigel Dunnett, Dusty Gedge, John Little and Edmund C. Snodgrass is a one-stop-shop for all things related to green roofs. Even if installing a green roof is not currently in your scope of work, this book’s messaging about how to consciously make use of often-neglected space has reworked the way I think about exterior and interior environments.” —Yaiza Armbruster, Atelier Armbruster, New York
Basics of Biophilia and Emotional Wellbeing
“Biophilic design is not just about bringing nature indoors; it’s about creating spaces that nurture the human spirit, improve well-being and foster a deep connection to the natural world. Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life by Stephen R. Kellert, Judith Heerwagen and Martin Mador inspires important discussions about new community development; it has become an important resource for me and our firm. Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well-Being by Esther M. Sternberg, M.D., explores how the built environment can influence emotions, health and healing. To say it has been inspiring is an understatement. I truly believe that design has the power to change lives. Good design matters because it taps into our innate connection to spaces, blending aesthetics, functionality and well-being to create environments that nurture both mental and physical health.” —Angela Harris, Trio, Denver
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Laura Fenton is a writer with a special interest in the intersection between homes and sustainability, and is the author of the Living Small newsletter and two interior design books, The Little Book of Living Small and The Bunk Bed Book. She has written about home and design for nearly 20 years, and her work has appeared in many outlets, including Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Real Simple, and The Washington Post, as well as online publications and regional design magazines.
