It's that time of year again to find the perfect gift for that special architect in your life. We're all aware of architects' peculiar habits and discerning tastes – meaning a last minute trip to store probably won't cut it for finding the right present. But not to worry, ArchDaily is here to help you out with a list of great items any architects would love to receive. Read on to see ArchDaily’s top gifts for architects!
WHAT: Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser / MUJI
If you're looking for a beautiful, minimalist gift that's practical too, Japanese home goods retailer MUJI is a great place to start. One of their most popular items, the ultrasonic aroma diffuser, will inject life into any space by emitting a wide variety of MUJI brand scents, including blends named Happy, Love and Energy. Hot tip: the diffuser is great for getting rid of that stale apartment smell before guests arrive.
WHERE: $69.50 / $119.50 at MUJI
WHAT: Brutalist Coloring Book / TM
Sharpen your cold grey and warm grey pencils and add some colour to some great concrete constructions. Designed and printed with love in Brussels on thick recycled paper.
WHERE: €12 from TM
WHAT: Blueprint Handkerchief / Cyberoptix
Detroit Blueprint pocket square. Cass Tech High School Blueprint from original 1917 blueprints. We've digitally restored the original print which was sadly full of creases and water damage. For an authentic blueprint look, choose one of the classics: white on navy or navy on cream. Or get creative with any of our over 70 fabric and 100 printing ink colors.
WHERE: €20.05 from Etsy
WHAT: Leather Carryalls / Atelier YUL
Designed by architect Cece de la Montagne, this line of minimal leather carryalls contains space for large format papers, canvas, and prints with room for all of your essentials.
WHERE: Prices range from $45 - $490 at Atelier YUL
WHAT: Hand-illustrated Notecards / Wrytewood
These sets of boxed travel notes feature hand-illustrations of architectural sites by M. Wood, printed on thick cream card stock and boxed in sets of 10 with matching envelopes.
WHERE: $16 - $20 from Wrytewood
WHAT: Ossidiana espresso maker / Alessi
Designed by Sicilian architect Mario Trimarchi, this stovetop moka espresso maker is the latest in the line of architect-designed products by Italian housewares company Alessi. Other architect-designed products include the 'Ribbon' Wine Rack by Ben van Berkel (UNStudio), the 'Fruit Basket' tea set by SANAA, and Michael Graves' classic 'Tea Rex' kettle.
WHERE: $70 / $100 from Alessi
WHAT: 'Pebble' wireless phone charger / Oree
French company Oree makes a range of technology tools from the finest materials. Just place your phone on their latest product, the 'Pebble' wireless phone charger, and watch it charge cord-free. The 'Pebble' comes in tillia, walnut and white marble, and also includes an optional high end Bluetooth speaker for hands-free calls & music.
WHERE: €159 / €179 from Oree
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WHAT: Kaleido Trays / Hay & Clara von Zweigbergk
This series of steel, geometrically-shaped trays can be used individually as bursts of unexpected colour or stored inside each other to create functional and imaginative constellations.
WHERE: $14 - $59 from A+R Store
WHAT: Paper Cut-out Architecture / Zupagrafika
Another fun stocking stuffer, these collections of paper cut-out models were inspired by modernist architecture of the former Eastern Bloc and beyond. The most fun set might be the "Blokografia" set, which take the form of different letters of the alphabet.
WHERE: €4.50 - €10 from Zupagrafika
WHAT: Cosanti Bell / Paolo Soleri Studios
Made at late architect Paolo Soleri's Cosanti studio in Scottsdale and his experimental city of Arcosanti, these bells were produced by Soleri to fund Arcosanti's construction and development. Both bronze and silt-cast ceramic bells are available, and feature unique hand carved patterns in Soleri's signature drawing style.
WHERE: $28 and up from Cosanti Originals
WHAT: Loop Candelabra / Black & Blum
Made by bending a piece of chromed steel tube to create two intertwined candleholders, the Loop Candelabra comes from UK design duo Daniel Black and Martin Blum, whose work has been featured in exhibitions and galleries worldwide. Use them individually, or cluster the candleholders for a dramatic effect.
WHERE: $32 from MoMA Store
WHAT: Elephant Bottle Opener / Georg Jensen
This classic was designed in 1987 by Jørgen Møller and his grandchild, and later went on to become a global favorite. At $50, it's a more affordable option from Georg Jensen, who recently collaborated with Zaha Hadid for a line of rings and cuffs shortly before her passing this past March.
WHERE: $50 from George Jensen
WHAT: 2VR / Stimuli
The world's only VR device that will fit in your pocket, the 2VR headset fits most standard smartphones and is operated hands free, allowing users to feel fully immersed in the VR environment.
WHERE: $29.99 from Amazon (US) and Indiegogo (Worldwide)
WHAT: Bauhaus Chessmen / Naef
For the chess loving architect, this set of maple chess pieces is manufactured exclusively by Naef for the Bauhaus Archive Association.
WHERE: $320 from Amazon
WHAT: This is a Designer Tee / The Usual Designers
We all know about architects' love of black, and of anything with Helvetica on it. This t-shirt does both, and is made from 100% cotton to boot.
WHERE: $29 from Fab
Need more ideas? Check out last year's gift guide here, or head over to Life of an Architect for more great suggestions.
