Synopses & Reviews
Review
"An excellent global approach concerning today's increasing environmental problems and the crucial role architects and architecture must play in the solutions. A must! There is a war at hand...." Alejandro Montero, Quebec, Canada
Review
"While the importance of his environmental message will not be lost on the reader, most intriguing may be this book's stunning visual documentation of over 70 contemporary structures, both foreign and domestic, which blur the line between man and nature through the use of aesthetics." Adventures, USA
Review
"James Wines stellt in 'Grüne Architektur' die ganze Bandbreite umweltgerechter Bauten vor. Als Einstieg in das Thema ist der handliche Band gut geeignet." Die Welt, Germany
Review
"This generously illustrated alternative history spotlights an eclectic assortment of lesser-known architects who in widely varying degrees incorporate ecological awareness into their designs. Strongly recommended." Library Journal
Review
"An interesting exploration into how we might live and how we ought to live in harmony with nature." Wisconsin State Journal, USA
Review
"Unlike most discourse on the subject, which focuses on technological responses to the deleterious impact of current construction, this book's intent is to explore the influence of the emergent Age of Ecology on design philosophy and expression." Azure magazine, Canada
Synopsis
When is a house ecological? Does the use of natural materials and solar cells on the roof make a building an example of "green" architecture?
Perhaps even Antoni Gaud and Frank Lloyd Wright designed "greener" buildings than most contemporary architects, whose low-energy houses scarcely differ outwardly from traditional ones. James Wines puts up the various — and often irreconcilable — concepts of environmentally-friendly architecture for discussion, making a case for an architecture that not only focuses on technological solutions, but also tries to reconcile man and nature in its formal idiom. Among the examples of contemporary ecological architecture presented are works by Emilio Ambasz, Gustav Peichl, Arthur Quarmby, Jean Nouvel, Sim Van der Ryn, Jourda and Perraudin, Log ID, James Cutler, Stanley Saitowitz, Francois Roche, Nigel Coates and Michael Sorkin.