The past year saw a bonanza of new books of interest to Canadian architects?many of them authored by Canadian designers. As the holidays approach, we offer our round-up of the year’s best books.
You may also be interested in this round-up’s companion post, our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide, as well as the gift guide from our sister magazine, Canadian Interiors.

For the big-picture thinker
Old Stories, New Ways, $40
In her book Old Stories, New Ways, architect Vivian Manasc explores how the seven Cree Grandfather Teachings can inform an architectural process focused on inclusion and respect?creating better outcomes for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The Seven Grandfather Teachings were first shared with Manasc by the late Elder Peter O?Chiese. Manasc was introduced to Elder O?Chiese by Diana Steinhauer, one of the building committee members for the Saddle Lake Junior Senior High School. ?As I was inspired by Vivian?s vivacious capacities, so too will you be upon realizing the capacity that architecture serves in reclaiming our place and spaces,? writes Steinhauer in a foreword to the book. ?This book reminds people of the stories and the processes of coming to consensus and about persevering.? Read an excerpt from the book here

Purchase the book the University of Toronto Press via Brush Education here

Everything Needs to Change, $40
“Over the last 18 months, we have all thought a lot about change: with Covid-19, wildfires and record-breaking ...