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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
4-1/2 stars. This topic is outside my wheelhouse but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will always remember one point that the author made, that you can get clues to what a society feels it is lacking by what it embraces in art and architecture.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
this is a good book. however, because of all the praise i’ve read being adorned to this, i am a bit disappointed. this is not a great book.
Simply fantastic.
What this book does better than any other architecture book, and maybe any book period is the use of photos to illustrate the point. This is a constant lack in the vast majority of architecture books. They use words to try to describe something or they assume you know what the building or feature under examination is well known to you.
This book explores what makes good architecture, why it's good, and what impact it has. It covers the themes of aesthetics: elegance, balance, etc., as well as themes around function. It also explore what architecture does to and for people and societies.
What is remarkable is the author, Alain de Botton, is not even an architect, nor was he trained as one. This may be why he is so good at explaining what makes a building work well and look good.
You can quibble with some of his conclusions, but his explanations are clear and easy to follow.
The Vintage press softcover has an excellent quality paper to display the black and white photos - of which there are many, as well as a compellingly textured cover. It's handy size with a solid binding - increasing rare these days. One drawback, at least for anyone over 40, is the print is pretty small, and the photo captions positively tiny.
The best book I've come across if you want to start thinking about architecture.
What this book does better than any other architecture book, and maybe any book period is the use of photos to illustrate the point. This is a constant lack in the vast majority of architecture books. They use words to try to describe something or they assume you know what the building or feature under examination is well known to you.
This book explores what makes good architecture, why it's good, and what impact it has. It covers the themes of aesthetics: elegance, balance, etc., as well as themes around function. It also explore what architecture does to and for people and societies.
What is remarkable is the author, Alain de Botton, is not even an architect, nor was he trained as one. This may be why he is so good at explaining what makes a building work well and look good.
You can quibble with some of his conclusions, but his explanations are clear and easy to follow.
The Vintage press softcover has an excellent quality paper to display the black and white photos - of which there are many, as well as a compellingly textured cover. It's handy size with a solid binding - increasing rare these days. One drawback, at least for anyone over 40, is the print is pretty small, and the photo captions positively tiny.
The best book I've come across if you want to start thinking about architecture.
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Pretty things R gud
Quick read. It drew me in but turned a little too abstract for me.
Pg 20. "Architecture may well possess moral messages; it simply has no power to enforce them. It offers suggestions instead of making laws. It invites rather than orders us to emulate its spirit and cannot prevent its own abuse."
Pg 20. "Architecture may well possess moral messages; it simply has no power to enforce them. It offers suggestions instead of making laws. It invites rather than orders us to emulate its spirit and cannot prevent its own abuse."
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Interesting reflections on how our built environment informs and can define our emotions. There are many theories of how architecture influences our daily lives and how changes in societal taste and needs influences architecture. Many great examples and pictures, though I will say mainly euro-centric examples and would liked to have seen more examples of architecture from other areas of the world. Very thought provoking read!