The Shape of Green: Aesthetics, Ecology, and Design

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Island Press, Jun 11, 2012 - Architecture - 208 pages

Does going green change the face of design or only its content? The first book to outline principles for the aesthetics of sustainable design, The Shape of Green argues that beauty is inherent to sustainability, for how things look and feel is as important as how they’re made.

In addition to examining what makes something attractive or emotionally pleasing, Hosey connects these questions with practical design challenges. Can the shape of a car make it more aerodynamic and more attractive at the same time? Could buildings be constructed of porous materials that simultaneously clean the air and soothe the skin? Can cities become verdant, productive landscapes instead of wastelands of concrete?

Drawing from a wealth of scientific research, Hosey demonstrates that form and image can enhance conservation, comfort, and community at every scale of design, from products to buildings to cities. Fully embracing the principles of ecology could revolutionize every aspect of design, in substance and in style. Aesthetic attraction isn’t a superficial concern — it’s an environmental imperative. Beauty could save the planet.

 

Contents

1 The Sustainability of Beauty
1
2 The Aesthetic Imperative
13
3 Three Principles
31
4 Many Senses
55
5 Ecology and Imagery
75
6 The Animation of Everyday Things
95
7 The Architecture of Difference
117
8 The Natural Selection of Cities
143
9 Visions of Earth
167
A Beauty Manifesto
179
Acknowledgments
181
Selected References
183
Illustration and Photograph Credits
187
Index
193
Board of Directors
201
Copyright

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About the author (2012)

Lance Hosey was an architect and author who has written two books, contributed to several others, and published hundreds of essays for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Huffington Post, and many other media outlets.

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