Rating of the best books on construction, design and architecture in 2024

At all times, the topic of repair and everything connected with it was one of the most demanded. First of all, this is due to the fact that housing is one of the basic human needs. To date, the prices for construction, redevelopment and repair work have increased significantly, so there is nothing surprising in the fact that in order to carry out such work, people are on their own in search of information. At the same time, regardless of whether a person plans to carry out repair and construction work on his own or plans to entrust this business to professionals, it would be nice to read several sources of information on this issue in order to have an idea of ​​the basics of design.

After all, the customer himself will have to live in a built or renovated housing, so he did not want the workers to perform the work poorly because of their own incompetence, negligence or thirst for profit. However, if you go to any bookstore, you can see whole shelves dedicated to the topic of construction, let's try to figure out how to choose the right one among all this variety.

Criterias of choice.

1. Interesting topic.
   If the reader is planning to build a house, then first of all he should pay attention to the works devoted to the basics of building design. If the reader has work to replace or install the water supply system, then there are also special publications for this. If you need basic knowledge, then you should pay attention to reference books or encyclopedias on building design. As a rule, in such publications the thesis (without delving into one or another topic) sets out the main points related to the construction.
2. Who is the book for?
   Here you need to look at who the main target audience of the book is. If the publication is recommended for students of construction and architecture universities, then most likely it will have an abundance of technical details, complex diagrams and drawings.Moreover, if the book is aimed at a wide range of readers, then on the contrary it will contain practical advice, as well as reveal the meaning of specialized terms.
3. Reviews and recommendations.
   Due to the fact that stores offer a huge number of books on this topic, when choosing, you should pay attention to the rating of the publication in order to immediately get the most useful information. Reviews of the book can be read on specialized forums dedicated to construction, the rating of the book can be viewed on the largest social network dedicated to books - LiveLib, which contains information about almost all available books.
4. Book design.
   It is worth noting that its price will directly depend on the design of the publication, because the more photographs and colorful illustrations it contains, the more expensive its cost.

Top 10 best books on construction, engineering and architecture

Considering the above, we will compile a rating of the best books on construction that raise various topics, from an architect's reference book to a manual for self-conducting a water supply system. At the same time, these books are focused both on students of specialized universities and on a wide range of readers.

10th place - Edward Denison, Ian Stewart “How to read bridges. An Intensive Course on the History of Bridges "

Year of release - 2012, volume of pages - 256, price from 486 rubles, rating on Live lib - 4.2.

The book is a unique encyclopedia of bridges. It contains the historical features of the structure of bridges and their evolution to the present day. All types of bridges that exist in the world are listed, the main concepts of engineering bridge construction, basic materials and construction technologies are described. At the same time, the print quality is at a high level, a large number of illustrations and schematic images are presented.

• the book is ideal for all lovers of the urban environment and engineering;
• a large number of historical facts and technological features;
• easy and understandable writing style, the work is read in one breath;
• compact format, ideal for reading on transport or traveling;
• beautiful illustrations.

• specific topic.

9th place - Nikolay Belov "Complete Plumber's Handbook"

Year of release - 2011, volume of pages - 480, price from 281 rubles, rating on Live lib - 2.1.

This book is the most detailed source of information about pipelines, materials and products used in water supply and sewerage systems. The author described in detail the main types of plumbing work, including the requirements for electric and gas welding, for safety measures, gave links to the current regulatory legal acts regulating the procedure for performing these works. Also, the author systematized all the available information on the operation and repair of plumbing fixtures, described the procedure for testing water supply and sewerage networks.

• the most detailed reference book related to plumbing work.

• the publication is specific and will be interesting only to a person who is interested and versed in issues related to sewerage and plumbing.

8th place - Yu. Shukhman "Encyclopedia of suburban construction: building a house, bath, garage, landscaping"

Year of release - 2008, volume of pages - 560, price from 580 rubles, rating on Live lib - 2.5.

This publication is written for beginners in the field of suburban construction. In addition to theoretical knowledge, the author gives his readers advice on the choice of building materials, laying the foundation, erecting a roof, walls and partitions. The book is designed to explain the basic technologies of building houses, from project preparation to finishing work.And thanks to detailed illustrations, this process becomes as clear as possible.

• the work is read in one breath and contains a large number of practical advice, as well as colorful illustrations.

• the book was published more than 10 years ago, and some readers may think that the information contained in it is somewhat outdated.

7th place - Hans Nestle “Builder's Handbook. Construction equipment, structures and technologies "

Year of release - 2010, volume of pages - 872, price from 999 rubles, rating on Live lib - 3.0.

The publication is a reference book on technological and structural issues of construction. The book is recommended for students of construction and architecture universities, as it reveals all construction technologies.

• the author is a recognized expert in the field of construction, holds an academic degree in this field;
• reveals all technologies related to the construction and redevelopment of real estate.

• to a greater extent, the book is a textbook and not quite suitable for a wide range of readers.

6th place - F. F. Dubnevich "New life of an old house"

Year of release - 2012, volume of pages - 256, price from 252 rubles, rating on Live lib - 3.4.

The book is aimed at those readers who want to turn their old home into a modern comfortable home that meets all modern requirements on their own. The author talks in detail about how to independently prepare a house for renovation, select materials, make an estimate of costs, repair and strengthen the foundation, as well as make the exterior and interior decoration of the house.

• thanks to this publication, the reader will receive detailed information on how to independently transform an old house into a new one;
• there is detailed information on how to choose building materials, many practical tips.

• The book was released in 2012, so some of the information in it is a little out of date.

5th place - Matthew Frederick, John Cuprenas "101 useful ideas for engineers and architects"

Year of release - 2014, volume of pages - 300, price from 310 rubles, rating on Live lib - 3.82.

The book was written by two renowned experts in the field of construction and architecture. Its main feature is the presentation of the material. The authors highlight a complex point related to construction or design, and then, using an example, with a visual illustration, provide an explanation.

• the book is read in one breath and contains a large number of practical advice;
• a large number of illustrations.

• the book is aimed at readers who already have basic knowledge in this area, as it explains difficult points, but does not provide a basis.

4th place - Galkin P.A., Galkina A.E., Trishchenko S.A. “Modern renovation. Great encyclopedia "

Year of release - 2011, volume of pages - 672, price from 729 rubles, rating on Live lib - 3.9.

This edition can be called the most complete and modern encyclopedia for construction and repair. The book describes the whole cycle of construction work, from drawing up a cost estimate, ending with the selection of materials for decorative work. The author talks in detail about the basis of work with electrical wiring, plumbing equipment, gives advice on how to lay tiles, plaster walls, glue wallpaper and lay floors.

• the author in an accessible form reveals all the secrets of independent repair work.

• the price of the edition is above average.

3rd place - Alexander Shepelev "How to build a rural house"

Year of release - 1995, volume of pages - 400, price from 550 rubles, rating on Live lib - 4.62.

The book tells in simple language how to build a house yourself from scratch. The author talks in detail and in an accessible manner about how to independently lay the foundation, lay a water supply system, erect a roof and lay a stove. The book is basic for any person interested in construction. It has been reprinted several times and has been translated into English, German and Bulgarian. Despite the fact that the book was published in 1995, it still has not lost its relevance.

• the publication is a "classic" in the field of construction;
• concise and understandable style of presentation.

• some readers may think that since the book is 1995, the information contained in it is out of date.

2nd place - Peter Neufert, Ludwig Neff “Design and construction. House, apartment, garden "

Year of release - 2016, page size - 264, price from 650 rubles, rating on Live lib - 4.75.

The book is a reference book on architecture that provides its readers with the basics of design and construction. The publication raises such topics as redevelopment of housing, design of a bedroom, bathroom, living room, dining room, arrangement of the attic, wine cellar, modernization of furniture, construction of a wooden house. The book also contains a dictionary of more than 300 specialized terms.

• the publication is suitable both for students of construction and architecture universities, and for ordinary readers interested in the design of premises;
• dictionary of terms;
• With the help of a large number of various diagrams and explanations, the authors were able to convey to the readers in the most understandable way the difficult moments associated with construction and redevelopment.

• large format book - 220 * 290 mm (as opposed to standard size books, which averages 145 * 215 mm), which can cause inconvenience when reading, for example, on a trip or transport.

1st place - Ernst Neufert “Construction design. 3 "

Year of release - 2009, volume of pages - 592, price from 2462 rubles, rating on Live lib - 5.

In the opinion of the readers, this book is the "Bible of Designers". This is the most complete Russian-language reference book that exists today. It contains the foundations and norms of construction for the laying of structures, design, the required areas, the size of buildings. Also, the publication includes a huge number of pictures and diagrams, which makes all the information very visual and easy to understand.

• the book is an absolute bestseller in the field of construction and design;
• it contains all the necessary information that may ever be needed by architects and designers, and simply readers who have decided to independently equip their own homes;
• the author clearly presents the difficult points associated with construction, thanks to a large number of diagrams and illustrations;
• the book is ideal for both professional designers and a wide range of readers.

• the price is above average.

Let's compile a summary table of the best books on construction, design and architecture with a description of their features.

Rating	Book title, author, number of pages, year of issue	The cost	Features:
1	Ernst Neufert “Construction design. 3 ". Year of release - 2009, volume of pages - 592	price from 2462 rubles	The book is a hit in the construction industry, it contains all the necessary information that may ever be needed, the author easily outlines the complex points associated with construction, thanks to a large number of diagrams and illustrations
2	Peter Neufert, Ludwig Neff “Design and construction. House, apartment, garden ”. Year of release - 2016, volume of pages - 264	price from 650 rubles	The book is a reference book on architecture that provides its readers with the basics of design and construction. The publication raises topics such as redevelopment of housing, designing a bedroom, bathroom, living room
3	Alexander Shepelev "How to build a rural house." Year of issue - 1995, volume of pages - 400	price from 550 rubles	The book tells in simple language how to build a house yourself from scratch. The author talks in detail and in an accessible manner about how to independently lay the foundation, lay a water supply system, erect a roof and lay a stove.
4	Galkin P.A., Galkina A.E., Trishchenko S.A. “Modern renovation. Great Encyclopedia ". Year of issue - 2011, volume of pages - 672	price from 729 rubles	This edition can be called the most complete and modern encyclopedia for construction and repair. The book describes the whole cycle of construction work, from drawing up a cost estimate, ending with the selection of materials for decorative work.
5	Matthew Frederick, John Cuprenas "101 Useful Ideas for Engineers and Architects." Year of issue - 2014, volume of pages - 300	price from 310 rubles	The book was written by two renowned experts in the field of construction and architecture. Its main feature is the presentation of the material. The authors highlight a complex point related to construction or design, and then, using an example, with a visual illustration, provide an explanation.
6	FF Dubnevich "New life of an old house". Year of issue - 2012, page volume - 256	price from 252 rubles	The book is aimed at those readers who want to turn their old home into a modern comfortable home that meets all modern requirements on their own. The author talks about how to independently prepare a house for renovation, select materials, make an estimate of costs, strengthen the foundation, and also make the exterior and interior decoration of the house.
7	Hans Nestle “Builder's Handbook. Construction equipment, structures and technologies ". Year of issue - 2010, volume of pages - 872	price from 999 rubles	The publication is a reference book on technological and structural issues of construction. The book is recommended for students of construction and architecture universities, as it reveals all construction technologies.
8	Yu. Shukhman "Encyclopedia of suburban construction: construction of a house, bath, garage, landscaping." Year of release - 2008, volume of pages - 560	price from 580 rubles	This publication is written for beginners in the field of suburban construction. In addition to theoretical knowledge, the author gives his readers advice on the choice of building materials, laying a foundation, erecting a roof, walls and partitions. The book aims to explain the basic technologies for building houses, from the preparation of the project to finishing work.
9	Nikolay Belov "The complete plumbing reference book". Year of issue - 2011, volume of pages - 480	price from 281 rubles	This book is the most detailed source of information about pipelines, materials and products used in water supply and sewerage systems. The author described in detail the main types of plumbing work, including the requirements for electric and gas welding, for safety measures, gave links to the current regulatory legal acts regulating the procedure for performing these works.
10	Edward Denison, Ian Stewart How to Read Bridges. Intensive Course on the History of Bridges ”. Year of issue - 2012, page volume - 256	price from 486 rubles	The book is a unique encyclopedia of bridges. It contains the historical features of the structure of bridges and their evolution to the present day. All types of bridges that exist in the world are listed, the main concepts of engineering bridge construction, basic materials and construction technologies are described. At the same time, the print quality is at a high level and a large number of illustrations and schematic images.

Thus, we can conclude that today on the market you can buy a book on construction covering any topic, from building a house to finishing work.Moreover, most of them contain practical advice on a given topic and approximate cost estimates.