This book investigates the role of cultural heritage as a constitutive dimension of different civilizing missions from the colonial era to the present. It includes case studies of the Habsburg Empire and German colonialism in Africa; Asian case studies of (post)colonial India and the Dutch East Indies/Indonesia; China and French Indochina; and a special discussion on 20th-century Cambodia and the temples of Angkor.The themes examined range from architectural and intellectual history to historic preservation and restoration. Taken together; they offer an overview of historical processes spanning two centuries of institutional practices; wherein the concept of cultural heritage was appropriated both by political regimes and for UNESCO World Heritage agendas.
#2202013 in eBooks 2014-11-01 2014-11-01File Name: B00U64RX8M
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. more than green by designBy Marjorie R. BarlowRalph Knowles book has been a great help to my husband and me; as we plan a home for our empty nest. We are nearly 80 years old and wanting a house that is environmentally responsible. We also are deeply interested in integrating our lives; mentally-spiritually-physically-emotionally. A good home in rhythm with the world we live in has become a real focus; thanks to this book. We read it to each other in the early morning and become more awake and aware because of the ideas in Ritual House. So; we are including nature and the rituals we treasure in our house design. Thanks for a book with ideas and depth of soul.Marjorie R. Barlow; Ph.D.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Connecting architectural design with the rhythms of lifeBy AlThis book sheds light in a subject that has been eluded by mainstream architectural and developing practices; but that curiously enough includes an element that is in the core of how we experience architecture: The unavoidable overlap of natures cycles and human activities.As industrialization permeated culture; architecture loosen its ties to its surroundings; mechanical systems enable the capacity to keep spaces within comfort despite the outdoor environmental conditions. A by-product of that has been a state of deafness towards the dynamics an subtleties of nature.The book makes the point that the quality of our lives can be enriched and enhanced by giving attention and integrating to the variations and conditions brought by natures cycles into architecture; where change would subtly open possibilities and dictate routines that would make the journey or our lives more enjoyable and humane.In addition; a design framework and case-studies are provided as a way to have a clear notion of how the aforementioned integration would look like and how it could be achieved.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Profound and beautifully written.By SelectiveReaderA profound work that is imminently readable. Contains fresh perspectives for seasoned urban planners and architects and; at the same time; should be required reading for beginning students of city planning; architecture; and landscape design. From attention to the way humans adapt to their surroundings by migration; transformation; and metabolism; Knowles proceeds through the stages of land development in the USA from wilderness to metropolis; and the resulting rituals of living we create. He then addresses the question of increasing worldwide concentration of people within huge metropolitan nodes and offers a daring solution; based on his many years of university research; to the problem of reconnecting those lives to nature through the built environment. Deceptively simple; almost poetic. My only complaint is that the cover photo and title do not do justice to this book. This is not about single; stand-alone houses for the wealthy; as suggested by the cover. Also; I would re-title it "Ritual House; Ritual City" if I could; as the final chapters of the book address not only the single building; but how our buildings affect each other within our cities. Running throughout the book is a deep respect for nature and for the human spirit.
