The latest architecture, design and art books to savour

VISI’s pick of the most inspiring design, art and architecture books includes a visual feast of a new monograph about Tadao Ando, and a cool roundup of the best in contemporary textile design.

1. NENDO: 2016-2020

by nendo Phaidon | R2 950 Known for the sheer volume of its output while producing numerous award-winning designs, nendo is a Tokyo-based multidisciplinary studio founded by Japanese designer Oki Sato. Expect work in every medium imaginable, from paperclips to

watches, shoes, chocolates, glassware and furniture, all the way up to interior design and architecture.

2. MODERN FABRIC: TWENTY-FIVE DESIGNERS ON THEIR

INSPIRATION AND CRAFT by Abby Gilchrist & Amelia Poole Princeton Architectural Press | R728

Step into the studios of a diverse international group of modern fabric designers via the pages of this book, which includes – as the presence of her design on the cover suggests – SA’s very own textile star Heather

Moore of Skinny laMinx. Lavishly illustrated with colour photographs, the profiles of Modern Fabric explore

how the designers established and run their businesses, and reveal their inspiration and reflections on design.

3. 101 COLLECTING CONVERSATIONS: SIGNATURE WORKS OF A CENTURY

by Javett Art Centre Javett Art Centre-UP | R500 Documenting the Pretoria gallery’s

inaugural exhibition – in which 42 public and private local institutions collaborated with Javett Art Centre to showcase key works in their collections – this book is more than an exhibition catalogue. It provides an overview of a century of South African art (1920– 2020) using genuinely accessible,

engaging text and large images. 4. SCANDI RUSTIC by Rebecca Lawson & Reena Simon Simon & Schuster | R479 Award-winning bloggers and instagrammers Reena Simon and Rebecca Lawson are renowned for their love affair with all things Scandi. Their first book reveals how you can apply key elements of classic Scandinavian design in your home, then add rustic natural textures to create a Scandi-inspired interior that’s cosy, relaxed and inviting.

5. MARRAKECH FLAIR by Marisa Berenson

Assouline | R1 888

Marrakech has been captivating visitors for centuries – and in the past 100 years or so, the ancient Moroccan city’s colours, scents and sounds have inspired everyone from Yves Saint Laurent to Winston Churchill (yes, really). This book’s gorgeous imagery of the city’s storied museums, hotels and riads, with text by 1960s “It girl” Marisa Berenson – who now lives in Marrakech – is a fitting tribute to a place that should be on everyone’s travel wish list.

6.TADAO ANDO: LIVING WITH NATURE by Philip Jodidio

Rizzoli | R2 217

Prolific architecture and art author Philip Jodidio showcases recent residences by world-renowned Japanese minimalist architect Tadao Ando in this beautiful book, which offers unprecedented access to Ando’s thought process through more than 200 photographs, line drawings, sketches and plans.

Many of the residences presented are previously unseen or seldompublished works.