Christmas is just around the corner and the last-minute shopping season is officially in full swing. You’re checking names of the gift list, happy with your thoughtful choice of presents – that is, until you get to the Architect. Nobody ever knows what to get the architect! They have impeccable taste, revel in the obscure while eschewing the ordinary, and they generally know exactly what they want in a product or design. Choosing something that fits just right is a problem every architect’s friends and family know all too well. This year, skip the anxious bookstore visits and gift-card guilt with this handy guide.

$170BUY IT

LEGO Architecture Studio: LEGO! This one little word will put a smile on any architect’s face. The LEGO Architecture Studio contains an amazing 1210 monochromatic bricks, a pair of convenient sorting trays, and a “create your own architecture” book with 271 pages of Architectural history and concepts. This set was designed by architectural modeler Adam Reed Tucker, and is endorsed by REX Architecture, Sou Fujimoto Architects, MAD Architects, and more.

$279BUY IT

Farnsworth House LEGO Architecture Set: LEGO sets make cool gifts for an architect of any age. Anyone with an interest in modern architecture will recognize this set, modeled after the iconic and influential Farnsworth House by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Not only do these sets add a physical element to architectural study for the young student, but they serve as fantastic display pieces and conversation points for the seasoned professional as well.

$18BUY IT

LEGO Architecture Idea Book: For the architecture enthusiast who already has a lot of LEGO sets, it’s hard to go wrong with an instructional book like this one. This 232-page book is filled with ideas for transforming common LEGO bricks into architectural elements, even including useful product numbers to help the reader complete the builds of their dreams.

$399BUY IT

Architectural Model Building Kit: The Arckit 240 Architectural Model Building Kit was designed by architect Damien Murtagh in his efforts to find a more convenient and affordable way to present architectural models to clients. This Red Dot Design Award winner offers infinite components, including innovative “architextures” to print out for sprucing up the facade or interior walls. Anyone with a 3D printer and modeling software can create add-on components, too!

$26BUY IT

Mini Bricks On A Pallet: This fun set includes 90 super-accurate miniature bricks, made from real concrete and presented at a 1/12 scale. This playful present would make a great desk toy for a professional architect – something to fidget with throughout the day – but the bricks themselves can also be used for physical architectural modeling and creative dioramas.

$13.50BUY IT

Cinderblock Magnets: These cute little cinderblock magnets are another way to stay organized in style – and they’re made of real concrete, a detail sure to delight any architect. In the rare instance when there isn’t anything to hang or display, multiple packs would allow for the creation of fun 2D structures on the desk or whiteboard.

$18BUY IT

Magnetic Sculpture Blocks Cubes: Fidget toys are a fabulous desk accessory for anyone with a career that involves a lot of problem solving, phone calls, and brainstorming sessions. The architect in your life can use this magnetic sculpture set for casual relaxation or to create small impromptu models for concept demonstrations. Young aspiring architects can use the 216 included pieces to build small high rises, arches, and other fun architectural elements.

$55BUY IT

Servingware Christmas Gifts for a Landscape Architect: Designed by Patrick Martinez and featured in the Museum of Modern Art catalog, the Inondée ceramic serving bowl is a functional piece of ceramic art that can be used every single day. This piece is available in three sizes. Architects and landscape designers can use this gift to hold office supplies at work or to serve friends and family with fresh snacks at home.

$155BUY IT

Niche Centerpiece by Zaha Hadid: Renowned modern architect Zaha Hadid designed the Niche table centerpiece for luxury Italian homewares company Alessi. Architecture enthusiasts will immediately recognize the play on curves, angles, and space that defined so many of Hadid’s works. Like her architecture, this centerpiece smoothly blends adventurous art with everyday functionality.

$540BUY IT

Metal New York Skyline Chess Set: The perfect gift for architects with an interest in iconic city skylines. This handmade chess set features many of the most recognizable silhouettes across NYC – the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, the Flatiron Building, the Guggenheim museum, Chrysler Building, and even brownstones are represented as rows of pawns. Each set comes in an attractive presentation box, ready to delight as a holiday or birthday gift.

$430BUY IT

Bauhaus Chess Set: Is your gift recipient an admirer of architects like Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer, or Ludwig Mies van der Rohe? This beautiful Bauhaus Chess Set is sure to inspire. The pieces look simple at first glance but hide an internal meaning and extremely functional form, their shapes demonstrating the moves that each piece can make: the knight has the shape of an L, the bishop an X, the king is a singular sphere on a cubic pedestal, etc.

$74BUY IT

City Themed Organizer Set: Architectural tools of the trade include plenty of pens and pencils, clips and tacks, and an endless variety of miscellanea – all necessary to coordinate the incredible amount of information that goes into even the simplest project. Staying organized is serious business, but Desktructure offers a fun and flexible approach with modular design in fine porcelain.

$30BUY IT

Concrete Tape Dispenser by Magnus Pettersen: Created by Norwegian furniture and product designer Magnus Pettersen, this sculptural concrete tape dispenser offers an architectural touch for an office desk. This design is smooth, refined, and serves as a stylish upgrade over ordinary office supplies. The notable weight serves as a functional consideration too – the dispenser remains securely while tearing away tape with one hand.

$39BUY IT

Rodrigo Torres Magnetic Paper Clip Holder: Industrial designer Rodrigo Torres created the Chip paper clip holder with playful functionality in mind – as paperclips are added, the smooth minimalist bird form appears fluffy and well-plumed. This design is weighty enough to double as a paperweight and stylish enough to display as a standalone piece. This accessory can help the architect in your life keep papers and files neat with a delightfully charismatic twist.

$43BUY IT

Normann Copenhagen Modular Wall Organizer: Drawing inspiration from the humble shirt pocket, Simon Legald created a modular organizer series that creates a seamless solution for vertical storage. This listing includes one organizer, the wide number 4 option – mix and match to create a set that best suits the space and needs of your gift architect recipient. Perfect for cubicles, home offices, and more.

$165BUY IT

Ferm Living Solid Brass Pencil Holder: Help your favorite architect stay organized in luxurious style with this unique desk organizer. The body is made from solid brass with a silky matte polish, a weighty and substantial design sure to last a lifetime. Different container heights accommodate a variety of everyday architectural supplies from engineer’s scales and liner pens to erasers and paperclips.

$30BUY IT

Hexagonal Bulletin Boards for Architectural Inspiration: These hexagonal bulletin panels are a versatile way to display notes, pictures, magazine articles, and more – great for the architect that prefers physical inspiration over online bookmarks. Each panel attaches with sticky foam adhesives, great for the dorm wall of an architectural student or the workspace wall of a professional.

$60BUY IT

Umbra Jewelry Box by Sung Wook Park: With the attractive and intelligent Stowit organizer, Industrial designer Sung Wook Park created a jewelry box fit for an architect. This design features a unique slide-out work top that reveals a hidden drawer beneath, each component fitting together like a sleek little puzzle. When closed, the minimalist design feels fresh and uncluttered.

$74BUY IT

The Hand of the Architect Sketch Collection: Created as a tribute to Italian architect Piero Portaluppi, this hardcover Moleskine includes autographed drawings by 110 acclaimed architects from all over the world. Books like these can provide motivation and inspiration for students of architecture – including those lifelong learners who are already in the industry.

$12BUY IT

Multi-tool Pen: This little multitool is a useful utility for architects on the go. Components include a ballpoint pen, a reversible flathead/Philips screwdriver, a touch screen stylus, a scale ruler, a built-in level, and ink refills. The compact size makes it perfect for throwing into a bag, always within reach when other tools are unavailable.

$26BUY IT

Le Corbusier Modulor Rule: Designed by legendary architect Le Corbusier himself, the Modulor Rule was an attempt to inject humanity into the effective yet soulless metric system – a way to add human context to the numbers that define the engineering all around us. He used his own Modulor rule to evaluate the proportions of historical architecture he encountered on his travels, and now these modern recreations can serve contemporary architects the same way. This fascinating design is a useful tool and an even more effective conversation starter.

$24BUY IT

Skyline Whiskey Glass Set of Two: When it comes to casual gifts, it’s hard to go wrong with a decorative whiskey glass. This series is etched with recognizable skylines across the United States – choose from Chicago, New York, or Philadelphia.

$34BUY IT

Areaware Architectural Drink Rocks: Material plays such an important role in every part of the architectural process. Architects must consider materials from structural, functional, aesthetic, and tactile standpoints, among so many others. These drink rocks are made from beautiful soapstone and marble, transforming common architectural mainstays into sources of enjoyment and relaxation.

$20BUY IT

Gothic Cathedral Mug: A versatile staple when it comes to gifting, unique coffee mugs are appreciated by almost anyone. This style features bas-relief decoration based on Gothic cathedral architecture, a great gift for students and professional architects alike. Those who do not drink coffee might find this to be a beautiful way to store pens or display flowers.

$199BUY IT

Alvar Aalto Glass Vase: Finnish architect Alvar Aalto left an incomparable legacy across a range of architectural styles, from Nordic classicism to International Style modernism. But also influential were his furniture designs and accessories, including his 1936 glass vase collection. This mouth-blown glass vase from Iittala is based on the award-winning originals, finished with Aalto’s name inscribed across the bottom.

$252BUY IT

Modern Architecture Wooden Dollhouse: Looking for something to inspire a younger child with an interest in architecture? This dollhouse will delight parents who are enthusiastic or knowledgeable about architecture, incorporating contemporary elements like the mono stringer stairs and the exposed structural beams. Children will love the playtime possibilities provided by the complete set of modern furniture and the flexibility of its modular adjustable design. This set is made from organic recycled rubber wood, sturdy and sure to last for years of enjoyment.

$39BUY IT

Arckit Kids Mini Modern Architectural Building Kit: Arckit makes fantastic architectural modeling sets for adults and professionals, but also has a few options for young children as well. This kit is rated for children eight years old and up, and it includes over 105 components for building modern homes and structures.

$30BUY IT

James Paulius Parkland Blockitecture: Perfect for children and adults alike, this wooden tile set makes it possible to design inventive landscapes complete with rivers and ponds and lush greenery in between. Landscape architects may appreciate the simplicity and quality of this piece – certainly fit for display. Young children may enjoy combining these tiles with wood block sets to create whimsical miniature cities and parks.

$13BUY IT

Future Architect’s Handbook: Despite its playful cover, this book is filled with seriously useful information for the young aspiring architect. The pages guide readers through the home design process from creating a site plan, laying out a floor plan, choosing an architectural style, and beyond. This book is appropriate for children ages 8-12.

$13BUY IT

Frank Lloyd Wright Educational Baby Book: It is never too early to start seeking architect gifts for kids. This book begins with the most basic element of architecture – shape. Parents will love the interior artwork based on the architectural works of Frank Lloyd Wright, while children will love the vibrant colors and interactive activities within.

$56BUY IT

Frank Lloyd Wright Coonley Playhouse Doormat: Sometimes the best gifts for an architect are the ones they can use and enjoy every day. This doormat is based on the stained-glass windows of the Coonley Playhouse by Frank Lloyd Wright, an iconic Chicago structure completed in 1912. This door mat is constructed from natural coir fiber over a non-slip rubber base, a wonderful gift for occasions ranging from housewarming to holidays.

$34BUY IT

Frank Lloyd Wright Water Lilies Table Runner: The whimsical print on this table runner is based on an 1895 stained glass design by Frank Lloyd Wright. This simple accent is sure to please the architecture enthusiast in your life, made from soft 100% cotton for lasting appeal. The gentle colors are easy to coordinate with a wide variety of interior styles.

$49BUY IT

Los Angeles Modern Architecture Coffee Table Hardcover: Handsome coffee table books are another versatile gift. For architects, photobooks can serve as a source of casual inspiration. And when displayed, their guests can be entertained by them as well. This 248-page hardcover is filled with the photography of Tim Street-Porter as it captures definitive Los Angeles modernist architecture – works by Frank Gehry, Pierre Koenig, Oscar Niemeyer, and so many others.

$49BUY IT

Customized Architectural Name Print: Millions of small architectural details are overlooked every day – but to the architect, those very same details might lay bare the very soul of a structure. This customized name print pays full appreciation to those ornamental volutes and lintels and arches, using their unique shapes to spell out any chosen word or name.

$375BUY IT

Walter Gropius TAC 02 Teapot: The name is instantly recognizable to any architecture student, professional, or serious enthusiast – Walter Gropius is the founder of the influential Bauhaus School of art, and one of the foremost pioneers of the International Style of architecture. In 1970, he sketched a unique teapot series named TAC 1. This piece is a successor, TAC 02, a collection-worthy design produced by Rosenthal porcelain of Germany.

$30 EachBUY IT

Walter Gropius Wine Glass: Another design by the inimitable Walter Gropius, the TAC series of wineglasses present a striking profile sure to capture the attention of guests. Each one is elegant, appealing to the oenophile as well as the Bauhaus aficionado. Consider investing in a set to clink glasses in celebration of a hard-earned architect license, graduation, or other significant event. A set of such unique wine glasses always makes a lovely housewarming or holiday gift as well.

$55BUY IT

Norm Architects Wine Breather: This sculptural device can infuse a bottle of wine with up to 10 times more oxygen for a more developed taste, a treat for the architecturally-minded wine lover. Place the decanter on the bottle and let the wine run across the interior for distributed aeration – then serve from the carafe or flip the arrangement around once more to serve from the original bottle. Consider adding this to your list of Christmas gifts for an architect that has everything.

$50BUY IT

Designer Tumblers: Extreme attention to construction, purpose, and proportion makes these tumblers a work of art any architect can appreciate. It naturally swirls the drink when set down and fits the hand like a carefully tailored glove. Designed by Daniele Semeraro, the Cupa-Rocks ICE set contains a pair of hand-blown frosted glass tumblers set in a well-constructed gift box for a perfect presentation.

$88BUY IT

Fia Carafe: This sculptural carafe offers a simplistic form that stands on its own as a work of art, or as a functional object to bring art to everyday life. Mouth-blown from crystal glass, this piece includes a small ball that fits neatly within the bottom niche and doubles as a lid for the top. This beautiful carafe is suitable for water, wine, or fresh-picked flowers.