Architects have long operated based on the assumption that a building is complete once construction has finished. Striving to create a perfect building; they wish for it to stay in its original state indefinitely; viewing any subsequent alterations as unintended effects or the results of degeneration. The ideal is for a piece of architecture to remain permanently perfect and complete. This contrasts sharply with reality where changes take place as people move in; requirements change; events happen; and building materials are subject to wear and tear. Rumiko Handa argues it is time to correct this imbalance. Using examples ranging from the Roman Coliseum to Japanese tea rooms; she draws attention to an area that is usually ignored: the allure of incomplete; imperfect and impermanent architecture. By focusing on what happens to buildings after they are lsquo;completersquo;; she shows that the lsquo;afterlifersquo; is in fact the very lsquo;lifersquo; of a building.However; the book goes beyond theoretical debate. Addressing professionals as well as architecture students and educators; it persuades architects of the necessity to anticipate possible future changes and to incorporate these into their original designs.
#630285 in eBooks 2014-12-04 2014-12-04File Name: B00R7TESAU
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. GoodBy Kindle CustomerGreat story; but I could have done without the explicit sex; especially since it was focused mainly on the female character and left the males part mostly to the readers imagination. Personally; it would have been better for the author to leave it all to the imagination and stick to the story line. What makes authors think our lives are so boring that we need to fantasize about the sexual exploits of fictional characters? If I needed that; Id rent an X-rated movie.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Try the Real Thing InsteadBy P. L. McKinleyHonest response-I stopped reading after half of the second chapter. The characters as introduced at the beginning of the book were unlikeable; the narrative seemed forced; the dialogue stilted; and the plot unbelievable. I never even got to the main protagonist; who might have partially redeemed the book; but I doubt it. I was very disappointed because art; art theft; and world travel are all interests of mine. In spite of the comments about the book which led me to order it; Mr. Swan is definitely not an Ian Pears; whose series about the same topic is a favorite.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Mr Swan has drawn very interesting charactersBy P LiskIn this book; Inspector Oxby has lurked in the background until the climax. His presence is a constant question. Is he with us or is he not? At a crucial moment; he makes his appearance; only we dont really know that he has arrived.His strong presence is there at the end to tie the story together. I know that I will enjoy Mr Swans other stories. He provides a good reliable read.
