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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
A masterfully nuanced take on architecture that contains shades of psychology and philosophy. I can definitely see myself coming back to this one for many many years.
Favorite lines:
"To describe a building as beautiful therefore suggests more than a mere aesthetic fondness; it implies an attraction to the particular way of life this structure is promoting through its roof, door handles, window frames, staircase and furnishing...a material articulation of our certain ideas of a good life."
"Endeavoring to purchase something we think beautiful may in fact be the most unimaginative way of dealing with the longing it excite in us, just as trying to sleep with someone may be the bluntest response to a feeling of love. What we seek, at the deepest level, is inwardly to resemble, rather than physically to possess, the objects and places that touch us through their beauty."
"We require consistency in our buildings, for we are ourselves frequently close to disorientation and frenzy...environments act as guardians of a calmness. The architects who benefit us most may be those generous enough to lay aside their claims to genius in order to devote themselves to assembling graceful but predominantly unoriginal boxes. Architecture should have the confidence and the kindness to be a little boring."
"Buildings are choirs rather than soloists; they possess a multiple nature from which arise opportunities for beautiful consonance as well as dissension and discord."
Favorite lines:
"To describe a building as beautiful therefore suggests more than a mere aesthetic fondness; it implies an attraction to the particular way of life this structure is promoting through its roof, door handles, window frames, staircase and furnishing...a material articulation of our certain ideas of a good life."
"Endeavoring to purchase something we think beautiful may in fact be the most unimaginative way of dealing with the longing it excite in us, just as trying to sleep with someone may be the bluntest response to a feeling of love. What we seek, at the deepest level, is inwardly to resemble, rather than physically to possess, the objects and places that touch us through their beauty."
"We require consistency in our buildings, for we are ourselves frequently close to disorientation and frenzy...environments act as guardians of a calmness. The architects who benefit us most may be those generous enough to lay aside their claims to genius in order to devote themselves to assembling graceful but predominantly unoriginal boxes. Architecture should have the confidence and the kindness to be a little boring."
"Buildings are choirs rather than soloists; they possess a multiple nature from which arise opportunities for beautiful consonance as well as dissension and discord."
Without seeing examples of the architectural styles and ornaments, the descriptions were not sticking in my imagination. While I am interested in architecture, I lack the vocabulary to categorize a building on sight. Switching to the ebook for the pictures.
“Just as the secrets of good literature have not been forever unlocked by the existence of Hamlet or Mansfield Park, so the works of Otto Wagner or Luring have done nothing to reduce the proliferation of inferior buildings. The masterpieces of art continue to seem like chance occurrences and artists to resemble pavement who succeed in periodically igniting a flame without being able to fathom how they did so, let alone without being able to communicate their achievements to others. Artistic talent is like a brilliant firework that streaks across a pitch black night, inspiring awe among onlookers, but extinguishing itself in seconds, leaving behind only darkness and longing.”
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