The Living House is a pioneering work by respected anthropologist Roxana Waterson that has become a classic in its field. It is first book of its kind to present a detailed picture of houses within the complex social and symbolic fabric of indigenous South-East Asian peoples. The main focus of the book is on Indonesia; but in tracing historical links between architectural forms across the region; it reveals a much wider field of inquiry—covering all of the Austronesian peoples and cultures extending as far afield as Madagascar; Japan and the Pacific islands to New Zealand and Hawaii. As it probes the centrally significant role of houses within South-East Asian social systems; The Living House reveals new insights into the kinship systems; gender symbolism and cosmological principles of the peoples who build them; ultimately uncovering fundamental themes concerning the concepts of life force and life processes inherent in all of these cultures. A vivid picture is produced of how people shape buildings and buildings shape people—how rules about layout and spatial usage impact social relationships. The book concludes with a consideration of present-day changes affecting the fates of indigenous cultures and architectures throughout the region. This book will be of tremendous interest to architects and historians; and anyone interested in the indigenous art and cultures of South-East Asia.
#332861 in eBooks 2012-02-13 2012-02-13File Name: B00794UET2
Review
