By including ecological concerns in the design process from the outset; architecture can enhance life. Author Brook Muller understands how a designer’s predispositions and poetic judgement in dealing with complex and dynamic ecological systems impact the "greenness" of built outcomes. Ecology and the Architectural Imagination offers a series of speculations on architectural possibility when ecology is embedded from conceptual phases onward; how notions of function and structure of ecosystems can inspire ideas of architectural space making and order; and how the architect’s role and contribution can shift through this engagement. As an ecological architect working in increasingly dense urban environments; you can create diverse spaces of inhabitation and connect project scale living systems with those at the neighborhood and region scales. Equipped with ecological literacy; critical thinking and collaboration skills; you are empowered to play important roles in the remaking of our cities.
#3463365 in eBooks 2012-10-29 2012-10-29File Name: B00IKQG0IW
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Enjoyable with Important MessageBy JessOnce again I was super excited to read this original fairytale story by Hans Christian Andersen of The Fir Tree. And was also struck by the fun and beautiful illustrations that the illustrator; Sanna Annukka; placed in this beloved classic fairytale. This was quite a quick read (itrsquo;s only about 50 pages; half of them being illustrations) but I also read this aloud to my husband again. Something about reading stories out loud brings much more magic and life into stories. Just like when you hear storytellers spinning their tales for others to listen and hear.I was taken aback by reading some of the reviews previous to reading this fairytale because so many people talked about how dark it was and they disliked reading Andersenrsquo;s fairytales. This is only my second tale that Irsquo;ve read of his so Irsquo;m not biased about his writing quite yet but I thought that there was such an important message inside! As the synopsis mentions; this is a story of ldquo;greed and dissatisfactionrdquo; though it is easy to miss because of the knowledge that this is a childrenrsquo;s fairytale. There are many other stories that do not have happy endings but miss an important them or message within but this story nailed it on the head.The Fir Tree most certainly is not a dark story; rather a cautionary tale for all; young or old. Living with constant lack of gratitude; love; and happiness can ruin life and Andersen does a splendid job in making this such a simple and relatable story for everyone. I didnrsquo;t want to overlook the real story here and I wouldnrsquo;t want whoever wanted to read this to be misguided by the point of this tale. It is SO simple with such a simple plot and story; but just as important.My only regret is that there is only two (that I can find) of these illustrated editions of Sanna Annukka; but I hope to read more of Hans Christian Andersen soon and learn more about such basic principles of living a full life.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. The Good; the Bad; and the UglyBy danielcooleyThe Fir Tree: The Good; the Bad; and the UglyThe Good: Itrsquo;s awesome -- if you donrsquo;t mind a depressing Christmas. It is Hans Christian Anderson; after all. The illustrations; the gold foil on green cover; the cool classic Christmas tale ndash; it all works together to make this a keeper. We will be setting it out with our Christmas decorations; for older kids and adults to pick up and read. Irsquo;m not sure younger kids would connect with the geometric artwork or story as well as older ones.The Bad: We tend to read and watch stuff with our kids where everything turns out alright; despite our actions. As a result; we can inadvertently teach that regardless of how we live; everything will be OK. Anderson is much more real; but prepare yourself - and if reading to a young child it might be best to prepare them ndash; for an unhappy ending. The benefit of this type of writing is that it encourages some deep thinking when reading alone; and discussion when reading to others. I think itrsquo;s better to prepare for reality than to ignore it. This story is a classic for a reason.The Ugly: Not the book ndash; itrsquo;s gorgeous. Not the story ndash; itrsquo;s classic. Itrsquo;s the truth being told that is ugly - to look at life now and enjoy what is beautiful about it; because in the end we will all be ash. Itrsquo;s a good thought to remember at Christmas; to enjoy life now; but a bummer to remember we only have so many Christmases left. On the positive side; as a Christian; I figure this life is as bad as it gets; and the day Irsquo;m burnt up Irsquo;ll see my first Real Christmas.I received a free copy of this book from blogging for books for an honest review. I chose it because of the cool looking cover; and am glad I did.Danielcooley.com0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. This certainly is a nice gift edition of a Christmas classicBy Amanda R.This certainly is a nice gift edition of a Christmas classic; and looks beautiful around the house and exciting to pull out of a Christmas box for yearly readings. Even so; I was a little disappointed by the translation and artwork. The artwork is interesting and colorful; giving perspective to the various points of the story; but artistically it is not very impressive; being graphic art formed on a computer rather than by hand. I find this style lacking sensitivity and the human element. Translation wise it reads a little choppy and modern; not the poetic and legend-like sound I am used to with Anderson. I am not sure whether I will choose this version to read yearly or not; it depends the reaction children would have to it which I have not had a chance to try.*Review from bloggingforbooks in exchange for honest review*
