The forced polarity between form and function in considerations of architecture -- opposing art to social interests; ethics to poetic expression -- obscures the deep connections between ethical and poetical values in architectural tradition. Architecture has been; and must continue to be; writes Alberto Pérez-Gómez; built upon love. Modernity has rightly rejected past architectural excesses; but; Pérez-Gómez argues; the materialistic and technological alternatives it proposes do not answer satisfactorily the complex desire that defines humanity. True architecture is concerned with far more than fashionable form; affordable homes; and sustainable development; it responds to a desire for an eloquent place to dwell -- one that lovingly provides a sense of order resonant with our dreams. In Built upon Love Pérez-Gómez uncovers the relationship between love and architecture in order to find the points of contact between poetics and ethics -- between the architects wish to design a beautiful world and architectures imperative to provide a better place for society.Eros; as first imagined by the early lyric poets of classical Greece; is the invisible force at the root of our capacity to create and comprehend the poetic image. Pérez-Gómez examines the nature of architectural form in the light of eros; seduction; and the tradition of the poetic image in Western architecture. He charts the ethical dimension of architecture; tracing the connections between philia -- the love of friends that entails mutual responsibility among equals -- and architectural program. He explores the position of architecture at the limits of language and discusses the analogical language of philia in modernist architectural theory. Finally; he uncovers connections between ethics and poetics; describing a contemporary practice of architecture under the sign of love; incorporating both eros and philia.
#1159539 in eBooks 2005-02-01 2005-02-01File Name: B002NGBOYU
Review
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful. Handbook for SB buildingBy L. TaylorThis book is detailed enough to actually build a house using this information. I can say that. because we did it. The caveat is. however. you do have to know at least a little bit how a house goes together. or you need to hire someone who does. Knowing nothing. we hired an architect (who specialized in SB houses). and a framer for the post-beam and roof. The architects drawings were clear enough for anyone to see how the house was to be put together. After that. we put up the straw-bales and plastered it - and this book was the most helpful all along the way.This book has lots of photos. and explains the problems you might run into. It does spend a lot of time talking about methods. which is good. and gives pro-cons about important problems youll meet. Its probably not going to be the last word on SB building (theres so much variety in method these days. and some people are so very sure that there method is the ONLY best method...). but this book should certainly be in the library of books you are gathering. if you are serious about building a SB house. DO get LOTS of different books. including this one. and videos on the subject. figure out what will work for you. figure out whats the most current. researched information. and go for it.(Believe me. if we could do it. anyone can.)2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Good book. would recommend to anyone interested in straw bale buildingBy IshopsGreat book! Comprehensive. and written from a friendly. personal point of view. Ive read many articles and done a lot of research on the topic in recent years... however. this is the first book I have read on the topic of straw bale building. They do a great job of bringing to light realistic hurdles that a person may face when choosing to build with this method. They cover choosing a site. building methods. on-site building practices. recommendations for attaining building permits in your area. home orientation for best heating. etc. Plenty of food for thought. This book really helped me hone the vision of what I wanted to create. and opened my eyes to what is truly possible when building with straw.57 of 58 people found the following review helpful. good textbook for those interested in strawbale building.By A. BurchfieldIve gotten most of the strawbale books has. this is one of the better ones to own.Im still in the process of reading it but Ive found this book to be a sort of textbook for the person interested in the idea of possibly building a strawbale home. Looks like everything imaginable is covered. from all sorts of building details and construction methods to dealing with financing and zoning issues.I dont see it as providing all the information an uneducated. inexperienced builder would need but you will find out enough to get started or to know that you dont want any part of the idea. There were lots of little details and tips. extensive end chapter notes. even a lot of photographs. Most of these were black and white (a little too small and indistinct for me)but some were in color.While it isnt all you need it is a book worthy of your attention and worth owning.
