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Jenny Russell, Author
Paul Boston, Illustrator
Imprint: Wayland
Publication date: August 13, 2026
Category: Buildings & construction (Children's / Teenage)
ISBN: 9781526328984
Presenting the architecture and the spectacular skills at work in the most inspiring structures on Earth, with the Royal Institute of British Architects.
What We Can Build is an exciting, bold and info-packed introduction to the world of architecture. In this book, the words and pictures work together to present a wide variety of structures and styles, explaining just what it takes to dream them up and put them up. From the ancient to the super-modern, this essential resource comes from the expert mind of the Director of Education and Learning at the Royal Institute of British Architects, Dr Jenny Russell, and the practiced pen of award-winning illustrator, Paul Boston. Perfect for curious readers aged 8+.
Contents include: The Pyramids of Giza (Egypt), The Great Wall of China, The Colosseum (Italy), Hagia Sophia (Turkey), Notre Dame of Paris (France), The Forbidden City (China), The Chrysler Building (USA), Guggenheim Museums (Bilbao, Spain and New York, USA), Cathedral of Brasília (Brazil), The Sydney Opera House (Australia), The Space Needle (USA), Petronas Towers (Malaysia), Takatori Catholic Church / The Paper Church (Japan), The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision, The London Eye (UK), Casa Da Música (Portugal), The Mercedes Benz Museum (Germany), The Burj Khalifa (UAE) The Metropol Parasol (Spain), The Heydar Alieyev Centre (Azerbaijan), The Tree Hotel (Sweden), Benin National Assembly
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a global professional membership body driving excellence in architecture.
Jenny Russell lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with her husband, two teenage daughters and a miniature schnauzer called Basil. She studied architecture in Dundee where she became really interested in how children use buildings and what buildings might be saying to them. Jenny spent 15 years encouraging and teaching the next generation of architects and she now leads the area of education and learning for RIBA.
Paul studied illustration and sequential design at Brighton University. He lists his inspirations as 1950s children’s books, antique maps and diagrams, 17th Century engravings, gothic art and Japanese prints, to name just a few. Paul creates all his artwork with his trusted ballpoint pen, which he then scans and brings to life on his computer. Paul’s charming depictions of people and places have been commissioned for global advertising campaigns, publishing projects and editorial commissions.