The houses we dwell in; the cities surrounding our houses; even the clothes we wearmdash;these are all shelters we erect against the elements. They are also the embodiment of intuitive rituals; individual and cultural responses to naturersquo;s rhythms. Life in the 21st century has separated us from those traditionsmdash;now; Ritual House reawakens us to our lost natural heritage. Celebrated architect Ralph Knowles; Distinguished Emeritus at USCrsquo;s School of Architecture; has carefully crafted a book for architects; designers; plannersmdash;anyone who yearns to reconnect to the natural world through the built environment. He shows us how to re-examine a shadow; a wall; a window; a landscape; as they respond to the natural cycles of heat; light; wind; and rain. Analyzing methods of sheltering that range from a Berber tent to a Spanish courtyard to the cityscape of contemporary Los Angeles; Knowles shows us the future: by coining the concept of solar access zoning; he introduces a radical yet increasingly viable solution for tomorrowrsquo;s mega-cities. Understanding how the elements affect our lives is more vital than ever. High-energy enclosed building systems have cut us off from nature; but we can re-connect to our landscapes and to humanity through buildings that honor ecological balance; personal choice; and creativity. By engaging nature in our designs; we can create shelters that are unique to their climate; their region; and their relationship to the sun. Ritual House will take its rightful place among those classic works that become touchstones for the culture.
#1850963 in eBooks 2012-10-16 2012-10-16File Name: B009K54JE4
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Lovely photos of a startlingly beautiful countryBy LimaBNLovely book. beautiful photos. great way to do an armchair tour - or as a gift to a Thai friend.(Might want to ask first - its such a superior product. s/he may already have more than onecopy.)0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful book!By E. SmithI liked that this book not only gave you the beautiful photos. but it also provides you with loads of information on Thailand. Too often I find that these books lack useful or interesting information about the country featured. This book doesnt disappoint in that area. The photographs are beautiful and give you a nice glimpse into this beautiful land. I gave this as a gift but was tempted to order a copy for myself!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Jill H.Beautiful book! No better book available on the market.
