Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
"One of the great but often unmentioned causes of both happiness and misery is the quality of our environment: the kinds of walls, chairs, buildings and streets that surround us."
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Everything I thought it would be... feels so fresh to me & in the exact niche I was looking for. This is a book actually about architecture, describing its broad trajectory while also providing a thesis for its inevitable impact on our happiness & bringing in threads of architectural philosophical discourse (de Botton basically relates architecture to the ancient Greek notion of the good life, a full life maintained by the virtues/values we desire; what we view as beautiful in architecture is governed by higher level principles and how we visualize them). Most of all, he puts to words what I (and I assume we as human beings) feel so intuitively when face to face with great architecture or horrible architecture, and his elaborations are logical and appeal to common sense.
de Botton refreshingly deliberates upon the standards for what is beautiful in architecture; while he acknowledges that there is beauty in the plethora of forms and in different perspectives held globally (and historically), he does not fall into the boring margin of saying that as a result architectural beauty is relative and anything goes.
It seems, ultimately, that beauty in architecture often comes down to a balance between many elements; buildings communicate not through a single voice but a "choir" of voices, as eloquently described by the author. In the same strain, the author also says that all architecture communicates something, despite what some people such as modernists might say.
The book also answered two long standing questions I've had about modern architecture still being expressive despite its purported stance for only function (modern architecture still expresses ideals, just not those represented by classical architecture... those of science, advancement, technology, etc.) & about how industrialization homogenizes everything/decontextualizes it and erases locality.
The section I found most striking was his comparison of architectural forms with abstract art & human forms.
I didn't swallow the book's philosophies wholesale; there were some parts I disagreed, though now I forget what they were. But as a book considered from front to back, it was a very filling, nutritious, eclectic meal.
I give 5 stars when a book is not only amazing in content but in style. This was written with such a strong voice, something like a British storyteller. Some of the sentences and descriptions really lighted my imagination. For example, the author describes a sleek, modern house built by Le Corbusier as looking as if it will 'fly off to a different galaxy.'*
It helped that I listened to it on audiobook, it is a boggling 280 pages which would have put me off and seemed a bit winding. But now I want to purchase a copy so I can reread all the wonderful passages and look up the referenced sites.
*Full quote: "The house looks like a piece of finely tooled precision machinery, some industrial object of unknown purpose, with flawless white surfaces that on a bright day reflect back the sun with the luminescent intensity of fishermen’s cottages on the islands of the Aegean. It seems that the house may be no more than a temporary visitor and that its rooftop equipment could at any point receive a signal that would lead it to fire its concealed engines and rise slowly over the surrounding trees and historically styled villas on the beginning of its long journey home to a remote galaxy."
de Botton refreshingly deliberates upon the standards for what is beautiful in architecture; while he acknowledges that there is beauty in the plethora of forms and in different perspectives held globally (and historically), he does not fall into the boring margin of saying that as a result architectural beauty is relative and anything goes.
It seems, ultimately, that beauty in architecture often comes down to a balance between many elements; buildings communicate not through a single voice but a "choir" of voices, as eloquently described by the author. In the same strain, the author also says that all architecture communicates something, despite what some people such as modernists might say.
The book also answered two long standing questions I've had about modern architecture still being expressive despite its purported stance for only function (modern architecture still expresses ideals, just not those represented by classical architecture... those of science, advancement, technology, etc.) & about how industrialization homogenizes everything/decontextualizes it and erases locality.
The section I found most striking was his comparison of architectural forms with abstract art & human forms.
I didn't swallow the book's philosophies wholesale; there were some parts I disagreed, though now I forget what they were. But as a book considered from front to back, it was a very filling, nutritious, eclectic meal.
I give 5 stars when a book is not only amazing in content but in style. This was written with such a strong voice, something like a British storyteller. Some of the sentences and descriptions really lighted my imagination. For example, the author describes a sleek, modern house built by Le Corbusier as looking as if it will 'fly off to a different galaxy.'*
It helped that I listened to it on audiobook, it is a boggling 280 pages which would have put me off and seemed a bit winding. But now I want to purchase a copy so I can reread all the wonderful passages and look up the referenced sites.
*Full quote: "The house looks like a piece of finely tooled precision machinery, some industrial object of unknown purpose, with flawless white surfaces that on a bright day reflect back the sun with the luminescent intensity of fishermen’s cottages on the islands of the Aegean. It seems that the house may be no more than a temporary visitor and that its rooftop equipment could at any point receive a signal that would lead it to fire its concealed engines and rise slowly over the surrounding trees and historically styled villas on the beginning of its long journey home to a remote galaxy."
Pure indulgent treat.
The Architecture of Happiness explores the connection between the constructed world and the human emotions that it evokes—this no small challenge and has occupied various professions and professionals for centuries. The author repeatedly apologises for his humble attempt (self-deprecating) and past efforts. Yet, Alain de Botton succeeds in constructing a profoundly thoughtful and compelling narrative that challenges the reader to draw their conclusions and inspirations.
Expressions are crafted with such precision and lyricism that this verges on a profoundly philosophical poetic recitation. Yet, like the architecture that seeks to represent our ideals and inspires us, this work lifts our eyes and mind to appreciate the psychology of how we relate to our surroundings and how we endow them with an and extrapersonal presence.
The author draws from classical and contemporary sources, augments these with a superbly curated visual collection, and continually inspires and challenges the reader. As a reader, one savours each sentence. The construction, word choice, and provocation is mesmerising and delectable.
The Architecture of Happiness explores the connection between the constructed world and the human emotions that it evokes—this no small challenge and has occupied various professions and professionals for centuries. The author repeatedly apologises for his humble attempt (self-deprecating) and past efforts. Yet, Alain de Botton succeeds in constructing a profoundly thoughtful and compelling narrative that challenges the reader to draw their conclusions and inspirations.
Expressions are crafted with such precision and lyricism that this verges on a profoundly philosophical poetic recitation. Yet, like the architecture that seeks to represent our ideals and inspires us, this work lifts our eyes and mind to appreciate the psychology of how we relate to our surroundings and how we endow them with an and extrapersonal presence.
The author draws from classical and contemporary sources, augments these with a superbly curated visual collection, and continually inspires and challenges the reader. As a reader, one savours each sentence. The construction, word choice, and provocation is mesmerising and delectable.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Did not get to finish, but from what I've read, I've come away with a new appreciation of architecture. Alain has a great way of conceiving of the arts, especially when there is a general lack of appreciation for things that are said to have no utility. As a society, we seem to value professions, crafts and hobbies that are associated in some way with the generation of wealth. This seems to be the case in Australia at least, as our government attempts to artificially incentivise a pathway for 'useful careers', whilst making it increasingly expensive to pursue an education in the arts and humanities (https://bit.ly/3HTeFq0).
In spite of this obscure valuation of what is 'useful', it seems to me that architecture lies in a grey space. On one hand, we have those that value the beauty of architecture and its importance in the expression of our identities. Yet there is another group that sees buildings as merely that, buildings, and nothing more.
To those who are in the first camp, this book may serve your conscience well as it will demystify what you may feel about architecture with elegant prose. For those in the second camp, however, I think this book may be a pleasant reminder that, in spite of being driven by objectivity, pragmatism and efficiency, when we look carefully at our lives, we often surround ourselves and are subconsciously driven to the things we find most beautiful. Whether that is your great-grandparents China, the beat-up Metalica poster in your bedroom, or the shape of your windows in your living room. So, if you do think buildings are buildings, I think this book may be for you.
Even if it isn't, this book makes for a pleasant and comforting read.
"In essence, what works of design and architecture talk to us about is the kind of life that would most appropriately unfold within and around them. They tell us of certain moods that they seek to encourage and sustain in their inhabitants. While keeping us warm and helping us in mechanical ways, they simultaneously hold out an invitation for us to be specific sorts of people."
In spite of this obscure valuation of what is 'useful', it seems to me that architecture lies in a grey space. On one hand, we have those that value the beauty of architecture and its importance in the expression of our identities. Yet there is another group that sees buildings as merely that, buildings, and nothing more.
To those who are in the first camp, this book may serve your conscience well as it will demystify what you may feel about architecture with elegant prose. For those in the second camp, however, I think this book may be a pleasant reminder that, in spite of being driven by objectivity, pragmatism and efficiency, when we look carefully at our lives, we often surround ourselves and are subconsciously driven to the things we find most beautiful. Whether that is your great-grandparents China, the beat-up Metalica poster in your bedroom, or the shape of your windows in your living room. So, if you do think buildings are buildings, I think this book may be for you.
Even if it isn't, this book makes for a pleasant and comforting read.
"In essence, what works of design and architecture talk to us about is the kind of life that would most appropriately unfold within and around them. They tell us of certain moods that they seek to encourage and sustain in their inhabitants. While keeping us warm and helping us in mechanical ways, they simultaneously hold out an invitation for us to be specific sorts of people."
reflective
slow-paced
Relaxing but rambling style,no story couldn't concentrate, 2 narrators available.