Main entry:

Steele, James, 1943-

Title & Author:

Ecological architecture : a critical history / James Steele.

Publication:

London : Thames & Hudson, 2005.

Description:

272 pages : illustrations (some color), portraits ; 26 cm

Notes:
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Preface: -- Nature by another name : coming to terms with terms -- Part I. Constant determinants of an ecological aesthetic: -- Introduction: Three constant themes -- 1. A growing respect for traditional knowledge -- 2. The technological imperative -- 3. Facing up to an urban future -- Conclusion: A state of flux -- Part II. Leading the green revolution: -- Introduction: Reconfiguring the modern project -- 1. Charles Rennie Mackintosh: Reinterpreting the Scottish Vernacular -- 2. Ebenezer Howard: The return to paradise -- 3. Finland: The search for a humane standard -- 4. The Amsterdam School: an enduring legacy -- 5. Frank Lloyd Wright: Close to the land -- 6. Rudolf Schindler: Interacting with the environment -- 7. Hassan Fathy: Reviving ancient techniques -- 8. Le Corbusier: The retreat from purism -- 9. Balkrishna Doshi: Reconsidering modernism -- 10. Louis Kahn: Wrapping ruins around buildings -- 11. Rogers, Foster, Hopkins, Grimshaw: Engineering the eco-tech aesthetic -- 12. Paolo Soleri: The Omega Seed Hypothesis -- 13. Buckminster Fuller: The Dymaxion World -- 14. Malcolm Wells and James Turrell: The March Underground -- 15. Edward Mazria: The Solar Cult of the 1970s -- 16. A breath of fresh air -- 17. The source of sustainability -- 18. Ian McHarg: Passionate Steward of the environment -- 19. A revolution in tent technology -- 20. Kenneth Yeang: The Bioclimatic Skyscraper -- 21. The Aga Khan Award for Architecture: A paradigm shift -- 22. The new urbanists: Building the model community -- 23. Jimmy Lim: The Tropical House -- 24. Rasem Badran and Abdel Wahed El Wakil: The new Traditionalists -- 25. Enric Miralles: A critical response to place -- Conclusion: Different approaches to the same problem -- Part III. Shifting attitudes toward tradition, technology and urbanism: -- Introduction: The changing landscape of a natural future -- 1. Digitizing the environment -- 2. Tadao Ando: Perfecting nature -- 3. The greening of Los Angeles -- Conclusion: Architecture in the global commons.

Summary:

"The ecological approach to building is the great untold story in the architectural history of the past century. Although not by any means anti-modern, many of the key tenets of the ecological philosophy - sustainability, energy efficiency, harmonious relationship with the environment, a focus on suitability of building types for specific conditions - always stood in apparent contrast to the sweep of science-led 'progress' that characterized much of the Modern Movement. Today, however, in a world increasingly awake to environmental damage, the visionaries of the past are vindicated to the point where yesterday's eccentricities are today's legal requirements, and every architect has an obligation to the environment as well as to his or her client." "After an introduction to the terminology of ecological architecture - including terms such as 'green' and 'sustainable' - the book is organized into three parts. Part I identifies the recurring themes in ecological architecture. Part II features twenty-five case studies each focusing on a specific architect, movement or topic. Some of the names are familiar in this context - Rasem Badran, Kenneth Yeang, Hassan Fathy - but there are also plenty of surprises - Le Corbusier, Buckminster Fuller, Rudolf Schindler. The third part of the book looks to the future and to where ecological architecture might go next as it struggles to deal with global urbanization." "A decisive step in the rewriting of the history of modern architecture, this book is essential reading for practitioners and students of architecture. As an urgent wake-up call concerning the state of our built environment, it will be of interest to everyone who cares about the future of our planet."--Jacket.

Resources:
Table of contents
Table of contents
cover art

ISBN:

0500342105 (cased)
9780500342107 (cased)

Subject:

Architecture Environmental aspects.
Sustainable architecture History 20th century.
Architecture, Modern 20th century.
Architecture Aspect de l'environnement.
Architecture durable Histoire 20e siècle.
Architecture 20e siècle.
Architecture, Modern.
Sustainable architecture.
Architektur
Stadtplanung
Ökologie

Form/genre:

History.

Holdings:

Location: Library main 241486
Call No.: BIB 171363
Status: External loan