Finding the perfect birthday or Christmas gift can be difficult, but it may be especially challenging when you need to buy something special for people who work in creative industries. In this post, we have put together a list of the perfect gifts for an architect, so you can relax knowing that you’ll always get it right. From books to sculptural writing tools; from mid-century style speakers to house-shaped wine stoppers and puzzles, here you’ll find the ideal gifts you’ve been looking for to surprise even the most imaginative people in your life.
Through My Window
A poetic choice if you’re looking for creative gifts for an architect, the Ahae: Through My Window book takes a captivating look at the outside world. More specifically, the book features photographs taken by Korean photographer Ahae over the course of two years, capturing the views from one of his house’s windows. The images show unexpected glimpses of the animal world as well as the way subtle changes in light and weather conditions can make the same landscape look drastically different. This hardcover book comes with a luxury slipcase and features 152 images accompanied by the photographer’s poems, and a foreword written by the director of the Louvre.
Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
For an architect who loves minimalism and efficient design, the Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) may be the perfect gift. It has the clean aesthetic typical of an Apple product as well as state-of-the-art tech and plenty of handy features. Apart from providing excellent precision and low latency, it also features an intuitive touch surface that enables double tapping. Ideal for drawing and sketching, the Apple Pencil is specially designed to work with the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The pencil’s flat edge attaches magnetically for automatic pairing and charging.
Moneyphant
Even architects need a money bank to store loose coins. However, they may not settle for just any ordinary product. The MONEYPHANT WITH TWINS by Alfredo Häberli follows on the footsteps of the original MONEYPHANT and provides the perfect solution to surprise your architect friend. Creative and fun, the money bank features three elements that fit together perfectly. While the two smaller elephants are made of oak wood, the larger one features a mirror polished stainless steel build.
Brassing Letter Paper Set
Our gifts for an architect list features many creative options. This carbonless copy paper set from ystudio is one of them. The Brassing Letter Paper Set allows the user to write a letter by hand and create two copies at the same time: one for the recipient and one meant as a keepsake. Elegant and perfect as a gift, the set features a dark brown cover with brass detailing. It includes 10 copy letter sets along with 3 standard sheets of paper and 5 envelopes.
Balls Eye
Made as an interactive object, Balls Eye puts concrete in a new light. The architectural design features intricate elements, including some resembling spiral staircases, steps, and multi-level floor plans. The small, stainless steel balls travel through the concrete pathways, taking a different route depending on the starting point and their direction. Made of concrete, Balls Eye comes with seven stainless steel spheres. A fun and imaginative solution to your quest to find the best gifts for an architect.
Salt Water Candle by Parachute
Everyone loves a good scented candle. Plus, they’re one of the most versatile gifts as they suit many occasions. This one is perfect for this list. It’s made from concrete and has a minimalist design, ensuring that your architect friends will love it. However, this candle is not just eye candy for a fan of minimalism. It has a gorgeous scent and comes in two versions: day and night. While the day candle boasts a fresh scent with sea salt, citrus, cypress, seagrass, and driftwood, the night candle features a soothing floral perfume with jasmine, patchouli, and saffron alongside ebony and lily of the valley.
Duck Bag
Perfect for everyday use, the Baggu Duck Bag enhances the functionality of a simple tote with a spacious main compartment that can hold a 15 inch laptop and an interior pocket for a smartphone. The 100% cotton canvas fabric is not only high-quality, durable, and easy to clean, but it also features 65% recycled textiles. A great choice for an environmentally conscious friend. We’ve chosen a black version for our gifts for an architect list, but you can also get the bag in brighter colors or bold patterns.
Banshu Hamono Tailor Scissors
At a glance, these may look like ordinary scissors, but they’re pretty special. Worthy of a selection of ‘gifts for an architect’ special. The Banshu Hamono Tailor Scissors are skillfully made by hand in the Banshu region, Japan, an area with a long tradition of crafting blades and shears. Handmade from high carbon steel, the scissors are sharp and long-lasting. They also come in a beautiful gift box, so you won’t have to wrap them before giving them as a present.
Hook Sconce
This multifunctional wall sconce from Object/Interface is great as a gift for someone who has to find clever solutions in their work, whether it’s architecture or interior design. The Hook Sconce has a dual purpose: it illuminates rooms while providing a handy space to hang a bag, hat, or coat. Plus, it has an elegant, mid-century vibe that can brighten any interior. Perfect for an architect’s office, the wall sconce is easy to install and provides 180° illumination. It’s crafted to last and features only quality materials: sand cast aluminum, brass, and opal glass.
Jack Puzzle
Busy architects need some time to relax, even when they’re working. The Craighill Jack Puzzle is perfect for a desk, whether at work or at home. It’s handmade in Massachusetts from solid cartridge brass and comes with six notched bars that interlock to form a sculptural object. Every brass bar is milled by a skilled machinist and features lathe-cut bull-nose ends. This head-scratching puzzle provides a creative solution to take a break from work and stimulate the mind at the same time. Hand-drawn assembly instructions are also included in the package.
SuperTone Speaker
A special gift for that architect friend of yours who loves music and mid-century modern design. Made by Revo, the SuperTone speaker brings together state-of-the-art technology and traditional craftsmanship. This Bluetooth speaker comes with a handmade walnut wood cabinet that also features anodized T6 aluminum, pressed steel, and CNC machined parts. Inside, there’s an 80 watt Class-D amplifier, a 6” subwoofer, and two 3.5” BMR flat-panel speakers that emit a crystal clear, rich sound.
Concrete Sketch Pencil
If you’re looking for creative gifts for an architect, you can choose something simple but imaginative they’ll use every day. The Concrete Sketch Pencil from 22 Design Studio is a perfect example. It features a sculptural design that makes the most of the high density concrete material. Beautifully textured, each pencil is one-of-a-kind and boasts subtly different hues and patterns. The shape and feel of the pencil also make it a joy to hold. Compatible with standard Schmidt 888 F refills, the Concrete Sketch Pencil will be a part of a workspace for years to come.
Clyde Stovetop Kettle
Made with a larger size and capacity, the Fellow Clyde Stovetop Kettle offers a convenient solution to prepare more cups of tea or coffee in one go. A two-tone harmonic whistle lets everyone know when the water is ready to use. Thoughtfully designed and elegant, the kettle features a rounded high-grade stainless steel body, a silicone material on the handle, and a wide-mouth spout that stays sealed until the user starts pouring. The kettle is compatible with electric, gas, and induction hobs, for more convenience.
Eone Bradley Canvas Noir
Few timepieces suit an architect as well as Bradley does. That’s because the watch is not only beautifully engineered, but also puts a focus on some key concepts used in architecture: usability, accessibility, and inspiring design. Made by Eone Time, Bradley revolutionizes the standard wristwatch and makes it easy for visually impaired people to tell the time by touch. The dial features raised markers and two magnetic ball bearings that move to indicate the hour and the minute. This version of the watch comes with a silver gray titanium case and a dyed canvas strap that boasts smooth leather on the reverse.
Contour Brass Key Rings
Our list of the perfect gifts for an architect also includes simple, practical items creative people can use in different ways. The Contour Brass Key Rings fit that description down to a T. The set includes four rings with different shapes and sizes, but all of them feature a minimal design, brass build, and practical screw closure. They can hold multiple keys or other items, depending on the user’s needs. The user can also wear them around the wrist, on a belt, or place them on a hook on a wall.
Blockitecture® Big City
A more playful gift choice, the Blockitecture® Big City set from Areaware allows anyone to build an urban space with wooden blocks. The set includes 74 pine wood pieces that draw inspiration from the architecture of a metropolis. Vibrantly colored and featuring different shapes and sizes, the pieces provide a fun solution to create a different urban setting, every time. The set comes with puzzle pieces that can create both buildings and green public spaces.
Bottle House, Wine Stopper
Make your architect friend(s) smile with this gift from the Areaware collection. Designed by the Daphna Laurens studio, the Bottle House wine stopper has a fun design that reproduces the shape of a classic gabled roof house. At the same time, the product also plays with the “house wine” concept. Made from solid beech wood, the stopper has both natural and bright red colors. The rubber stopper ensures a perfect fit to keep any leftover wine fresh for longer.
Where Architects Sleep
Where Architects Sleep follows on the footsteps of the popular Where Chefs Eat book. Edited by Sarah Miller, founding editor-in-chief of Condé Nast Traveller UK and currently a luxury brand ambassador at The Wall Street Journal, the book provides hotel tips and destination ideas from 250 of the world’s leading architects. The 528 pages feature 65 illustrations and 1,200 listings in over 100 countries, ranging from exotic places to city breaks and remote getaways. One thing they all have in common? They come with a stamp of approval from some of the most talented and successful architects in the world.
