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人本建築：一位匠造者的世界建設指南
2010年上海世博會英國國家館「種子聖殿」設計人
當代達文西｜英國設計鬼才──Thomas Heatherwick
寫給世人的下一輪建築宣言
開始行動，相信我們可以創造的願景&希望
「這是一本大師傑作。」——艾倫•狄波頓
「這是一本超級通俗易懂的指南，它告訴我們為什麼不要忍受
沒有靈魂的建築，以及如何改變現況。」──英國藝術家Grayson Perry
▎手感封面，全頁打凸，復刻石牆觸感，實質體會人本設計 ▎
從全書翻譯到封面&內頁設計，海澤維克工作室耗時近一年審訂監製
●我們的世界正在失去人性●
太多公司關心股東更勝社會；太多政客關心權力，而非投票給他們的人民；
太多城市讓人感到沒有靈魂和壓抑，因為它們是為商業而設計
「孩子吃的食物不應該是效率的味道，
現在，該是我們要求建築營養豐富的時候了，
建築應該在我們與它相遇時滋養我們。」
致力將公共價值與歡樂帶回建築界，展開公共對話
▌挑戰過往，獻給所有人的建築之書 ▌
建築如何符合人性？如何讓人們駐足、社交、約會？
放眼望去，建築攸關利潤和效率
各大城市，建築如出一轍，面貌模糊
帝國大廈｜泰姬瑪哈陵｜碎片塔｜巴黎鐵塔｜羅浮宮｜聖家堂
為何擄獲世人的喜愛？
新加坡的賓樂雅飯店│倫敦愛奇伍德馬廄屋│哈里發塔│龐畢度中心
如何做到當代建築的人本設計
●認識設計大師的建築初心＋建築養成＋長年思考
●帶領所有人，對未來建築趨勢的再一次深刻反思
▌英國設計鬼才、現代達文西Thomas Heatherwick的最新著作
2010上海世博會英國國家館設計師海澤維克，以「種子聖殿」一鳴驚人，一舉成名。曾獲英國設計奧斯卡之稱的菲利浦親王設計獎（Prince Philip Designers Prize）、倫敦設計獎，以上海世博英國館，榮獲英國皇家建築師學會在2010年頒發的萊伯金建築獎」（2010 Lubetkin Prize）。有人譽他為「現代達文西」，也有人說他是「英國設計鬼才」，他卻將自己喻為發明家，他以獨特的創意和實驗性的設計聞名。設計作品涵蓋建築、城市規劃、家具、產品設計等領域，常以非傳統和前衛的方式，挑戰現有的設計語言和技術。
▌獻給大家的建築願景，用視覺圖像與大眾語言，說出心中理念
《人本建築》是海澤維克於 2023 年出版的最新著作，也是他暢談自己設計初衷與理念的建築宣言。他跳出建築舒適圈，寫出這本通俗易懂，給所有人的建築之書。他用真實的城市照片，揭露當代城市的模糊面貌；用神經科學和認知心理學的研究，分析建築對人類心理的影響；用具體的數字，見證亂蓋房子的浪費與不環保。他感嘆我們的世界正在失去人性。太多公司關心股東更勝於社會；太多政客更關心權力，而非投票給他們的人民；而太多城市讓人感到沒有靈魂和壓抑，因為它們是為商業而設計，並非我們。我們從哪裡可以找到希望呢？
●為什麼繁華的21世紀，放眼各大城市，建築卻如出一轍，面貌模糊呢？
●這些類似的建築大樓，為何平淡、模糊、讓人容易忘記？
●帝國大廈、泰姬瑪哈陵、碎片塔、巴黎鐵塔、羅浮宮、聖家堂等是世界最愛的十大建築，什麼原因，讓它們深受世人喜愛？
●為什麼最糟糕的，莫過於房子蓋好沒幾年就將它敲掉重蓋？
●你知道全球營建和建築材料驚人的碳排放量，蓋倫敦利德賀大樓的碳排量竟相當於2300萬個麥當勞大麥克！
●2021年中國營造業產出32億公噸的廢棄物，到了2026年將提高到40億，亂蓋房子究竟有多不環保，多傷害這個世界？
●在21世紀，我們如何評斷一棟建築是否成功？花了多少成本？賺了多少房租？賺了多少差價？為什麼放眼所及都是利潤？無趣建築竟贏在較高利潤？
●無趣的建築讓我們生病、讓我們寂寞、讓我們感到害怕，也是不環保與助長分裂和衝突的？為什麼讓建築恢復人本化，刻不容緩？
海澤維克在書中分享了他對設計的想法、他的學習過程、他的家學背景，並且回顧世界建築中有趣的特色建築，例如：五千年前伊拉克用蘆葦製作的聚會所、紐西蘭毛利人的聚會所、土耳其的蜂巢屋，但原有的地方特色，卻在20世紀開始翻轉，以驚人的速度接掌全世界。他質疑柯比意、密斯、貝倫斯、魯斯等現代建築大師的想法，也從新檢驗當代建築師的養成教育，試圖從中找尋新的出路。書中融入大量視覺材料，包含豐富的建築照片及視覺圖像，以全視覺的圖像式閱讀，易懂的文字，帶領路人、建築師、政府、開發商、營建商一齊思考，並做出行動。
高第的建築在當年造成轟動。米拉之家的建造新聞出現在當時的流行雜誌上，雖然備受讚譽，但米拉之家卻違反了好幾條營建法規：建築物高度超過了限制許可，柱子侵占人行道的深度也超標。高第威脅說，如果被迫鋸掉柱子，他會立一塊牌子寫著：「消失的柱子是根據市議會的命令鋸掉的。」最後，柱子保住了，但政府要求支付十萬西幣的罰金：這是很大一筆錢，只比高第十萬零五千西幣的設計費少一點而已。
我站在繁忙十字路口的另一邊，不禁想到，當高第和他的客戶正在為城市打造一份無價之寶時，當局卻對他處以鉅額罰款。雖然這棟建築是為富人興建的高級公寓，但我認為它是一份禮物。米拉之家是極度慷慨之舉。自私的建築物只關心如何替它的業主創造利潤，而無視其他人的感受。但米拉之家卻向每天路過它的每個人發出邀請，希望為我們注入敬畏之心，讓我們綻放笑容。高第的米拉之家和其他建築現在都已經變成旅遊景點，為國家創造了許多財富，即便將這部分忽略不計，單是米拉之家為數億普通路人帶來的喜悅歡樂，就已無法衡量。──海澤維克
▌捨棄效率式的無聊建築，帶你思考從未想過之事，讓建築滋養人類的心靈
《人本建築》引發了許多普通讀者的回響，他們對海澤維克提出的「人本設計」感到共鳴，尤其是書中強調設計對人類情感和社會互動的影響。許多讀者表示，這本書讓他們更加認識到設計背後的深層意義，而不僅僅是外觀和功能。無論對設計師、學者還是普通讀者，都提供了獨特的視角。它不僅僅是一本關於設計的書籍，更是一本關於設計如何影響人類生活、情感和社會結構的深刻反思。對於想認識海澤維克的設計理念，以及深入了解設計背後的人本思考、情感體驗以及社會責任的讀者來說，這本書無疑提供了豐富的思考材料和靈感，以及改變世界的契機，歡迎加入人本主義行動!
▌國際26人，為何齊聲推薦，共同疾呼？
「2018年底潘冀聯合建築師事務所透過上海同濟大學出版社，出版了我們近四十年的建築作品回顧，書名恰巧叫《人本建築》(CULTIVATING COMPASSION)。 海澤維克先生世界知名，他的「人本設計」廣獲稱道，毋庸置疑，個人亦十分敬佩，但我們的書在《人本建築》(HUMANISE)問世前六年即已出版，所以大概不至於被譏為「東施效顰」吧！？
2010年上海世博看到他設計的英國館「種子聖殿」甚為驚豔，之後去倫敦也參訪了他的事務所。設計原就是為人而做，建築與環境作品更是為人設想，才有意義、才有價值。海澤維克的設計，常常在「為人設想」上突發奇想，增加趣味及言外之意，給人驚喜，是隱性的「人本」思維極其難得的境界，是優美、品味、欣悅、歡愉之外另一層次的貢獻，相信匯集成冊的這本書，能讓讀者更深地體會設計的意涵與價值。」──潘冀│建築師
「『將公共價值與歡樂帶回建築界，展開公共對話』，為我們在台灣的城市發展和建築設計提供了寶貴的思考方向。」──張基義│台灣設計研究院院長
「所謂『人本建築』顧名思義是建築須『以人為本』。此書是英國鬼才建築師Thomas Heatherwick將其意中的『建築』公諸於世，有助了解其創作背後所想，進而學習探索屬於自己的『人本建築』之路。」──吳宜晏│建走大叔
「本書以溫暖且有趣的文筆，深入淺出地啟發設計思辨，帶領讀者重新思考建築對心靈的滋養與空間的啟蒙價值。」──曾令理｜國立陽明交通大學建築研究所副教授
「Heatherwick擅長從建築史的脈絡與經驗檢視當下建成環境（built environment）所遭遇的挑戰，從微觀角度看見世界，再用宏觀視角解決問題，並從人類的歷史經驗中尋找解決當代問題的有趣答案，有趣才得以成就共感，人類所創造出來的新事物唯有獲得大家的共感，才有機會讓我們的環境變得永續可居。」──榮芳杰｜國立清華大學環境與文化資源學系副教授
「這是一本大師傑作。它激烈十足，熱情洋溢，推理嚴謹，恰如其分。它讓我對未來的走向充滿希望。」——艾倫•狄波頓│知名英國作家
「這本書是一本超級通俗易懂的指南，它告訴我們為什麼不應忍受沒有靈魂的建築，以及如何改變現況。」格雷森•佩里│陶藝家、英國當代藝術家
「這本書將改變你看待世界的方式。」──賽門‧西奈克│《為什麼》系列作者
「《人本建築》是一部傑作。它為我們開出了一劑強有力的建築良方，讓我們將公眾放在首位，為人類更光明的未來鋪路。」──麥可•彭博│ 前紐約市市長
「鼓舞人心，啟迪心智，逼人深思。」——諾瑞娜．赫茲│經濟學家
「《人本建築》超越所有邊界、文化和專業領域……它敦促地球上的所有人歡慶生命。」
——片岡真實│森美術館館長暨首席策展人
「一本社會與經濟傑作。」——馬克•卡尼│前英國中央銀行總裁
「《人本建築》主張，我們必須將公共價值與歡樂帶回建築界。」——瑪里亞娜•馬祖卡托│經濟學家
「《人本建築》點燃了多年來我殷殷呼籲、刻不容緩的公共對話。」——泰瑞•法瑞爵士│仁川機場建築師
「本書幫助飽受挫折的一般民眾和社區看見可能的未來。」——大衛•拜恩│音樂家
當代達文西｜英國設計鬼才──Thomas Heatherwick
寫給世人的下一輪建築宣言
開始行動，相信我們可以創造的願景&希望
「這是一本大師傑作。」——艾倫•狄波頓
「這是一本超級通俗易懂的指南，它告訴我們為什麼不要忍受
沒有靈魂的建築，以及如何改變現況。」──英國藝術家Grayson Perry
▎手感封面，全頁打凸，復刻石牆觸感，實質體會人本設計 ▎
從全書翻譯到封面&內頁設計，海澤維克工作室耗時近一年審訂監製
●我們的世界正在失去人性●
太多公司關心股東更勝社會；太多政客關心權力，而非投票給他們的人民；
太多城市讓人感到沒有靈魂和壓抑，因為它們是為商業而設計
「孩子吃的食物不應該是效率的味道，
現在，該是我們要求建築營養豐富的時候了，
建築應該在我們與它相遇時滋養我們。」
致力將公共價值與歡樂帶回建築界，展開公共對話
▌挑戰過往，獻給所有人的建築之書 ▌
建築如何符合人性？如何讓人們駐足、社交、約會？
放眼望去，建築攸關利潤和效率
各大城市，建築如出一轍，面貌模糊
帝國大廈｜泰姬瑪哈陵｜碎片塔｜巴黎鐵塔｜羅浮宮｜聖家堂
為何擄獲世人的喜愛？
新加坡的賓樂雅飯店│倫敦愛奇伍德馬廄屋│哈里發塔│龐畢度中心
如何做到當代建築的人本設計
●認識設計大師的建築初心＋建築養成＋長年思考
●帶領所有人，對未來建築趨勢的再一次深刻反思
▌英國設計鬼才、現代達文西Thomas Heatherwick的最新著作
2010上海世博會英國國家館設計師海澤維克，以「種子聖殿」一鳴驚人，一舉成名。曾獲英國設計奧斯卡之稱的菲利浦親王設計獎（Prince Philip Designers Prize）、倫敦設計獎，以上海世博英國館，榮獲英國皇家建築師學會在2010年頒發的萊伯金建築獎」（2010 Lubetkin Prize）。有人譽他為「現代達文西」，也有人說他是「英國設計鬼才」，他卻將自己喻為發明家，他以獨特的創意和實驗性的設計聞名。設計作品涵蓋建築、城市規劃、家具、產品設計等領域，常以非傳統和前衛的方式，挑戰現有的設計語言和技術。
▌獻給大家的建築願景，用視覺圖像與大眾語言，說出心中理念
《人本建築》是海澤維克於 2023 年出版的最新著作，也是他暢談自己設計初衷與理念的建築宣言。他跳出建築舒適圈，寫出這本通俗易懂，給所有人的建築之書。他用真實的城市照片，揭露當代城市的模糊面貌；用神經科學和認知心理學的研究，分析建築對人類心理的影響；用具體的數字，見證亂蓋房子的浪費與不環保。他感嘆我們的世界正在失去人性。太多公司關心股東更勝於社會；太多政客更關心權力，而非投票給他們的人民；而太多城市讓人感到沒有靈魂和壓抑，因為它們是為商業而設計，並非我們。我們從哪裡可以找到希望呢？
●為什麼繁華的21世紀，放眼各大城市，建築卻如出一轍，面貌模糊呢？
●這些類似的建築大樓，為何平淡、模糊、讓人容易忘記？
●帝國大廈、泰姬瑪哈陵、碎片塔、巴黎鐵塔、羅浮宮、聖家堂等是世界最愛的十大建築，什麼原因，讓它們深受世人喜愛？
●為什麼最糟糕的，莫過於房子蓋好沒幾年就將它敲掉重蓋？
●你知道全球營建和建築材料驚人的碳排放量，蓋倫敦利德賀大樓的碳排量竟相當於2300萬個麥當勞大麥克！
●2021年中國營造業產出32億公噸的廢棄物，到了2026年將提高到40億，亂蓋房子究竟有多不環保，多傷害這個世界？
●在21世紀，我們如何評斷一棟建築是否成功？花了多少成本？賺了多少房租？賺了多少差價？為什麼放眼所及都是利潤？無趣建築竟贏在較高利潤？
●無趣的建築讓我們生病、讓我們寂寞、讓我們感到害怕，也是不環保與助長分裂和衝突的？為什麼讓建築恢復人本化，刻不容緩？
海澤維克在書中分享了他對設計的想法、他的學習過程、他的家學背景，並且回顧世界建築中有趣的特色建築，例如：五千年前伊拉克用蘆葦製作的聚會所、紐西蘭毛利人的聚會所、土耳其的蜂巢屋，但原有的地方特色，卻在20世紀開始翻轉，以驚人的速度接掌全世界。他質疑柯比意、密斯、貝倫斯、魯斯等現代建築大師的想法，也從新檢驗當代建築師的養成教育，試圖從中找尋新的出路。書中融入大量視覺材料，包含豐富的建築照片及視覺圖像，以全視覺的圖像式閱讀，易懂的文字，帶領路人、建築師、政府、開發商、營建商一齊思考，並做出行動。
高第的建築在當年造成轟動。米拉之家的建造新聞出現在當時的流行雜誌上，雖然備受讚譽，但米拉之家卻違反了好幾條營建法規：建築物高度超過了限制許可，柱子侵占人行道的深度也超標。高第威脅說，如果被迫鋸掉柱子，他會立一塊牌子寫著：「消失的柱子是根據市議會的命令鋸掉的。」最後，柱子保住了，但政府要求支付十萬西幣的罰金：這是很大一筆錢，只比高第十萬零五千西幣的設計費少一點而已。
我站在繁忙十字路口的另一邊，不禁想到，當高第和他的客戶正在為城市打造一份無價之寶時，當局卻對他處以鉅額罰款。雖然這棟建築是為富人興建的高級公寓，但我認為它是一份禮物。米拉之家是極度慷慨之舉。自私的建築物只關心如何替它的業主創造利潤，而無視其他人的感受。但米拉之家卻向每天路過它的每個人發出邀請，希望為我們注入敬畏之心，讓我們綻放笑容。高第的米拉之家和其他建築現在都已經變成旅遊景點，為國家創造了許多財富，即便將這部分忽略不計，單是米拉之家為數億普通路人帶來的喜悅歡樂，就已無法衡量。──海澤維克
▌捨棄效率式的無聊建築，帶你思考從未想過之事，讓建築滋養人類的心靈
《人本建築》引發了許多普通讀者的回響，他們對海澤維克提出的「人本設計」感到共鳴，尤其是書中強調設計對人類情感和社會互動的影響。許多讀者表示，這本書讓他們更加認識到設計背後的深層意義，而不僅僅是外觀和功能。無論對設計師、學者還是普通讀者，都提供了獨特的視角。它不僅僅是一本關於設計的書籍，更是一本關於設計如何影響人類生活、情感和社會結構的深刻反思。對於想認識海澤維克的設計理念，以及深入了解設計背後的人本思考、情感體驗以及社會責任的讀者來說，這本書無疑提供了豐富的思考材料和靈感，以及改變世界的契機，歡迎加入人本主義行動!
▌國際26人，為何齊聲推薦，共同疾呼？
「2018年底潘冀聯合建築師事務所透過上海同濟大學出版社，出版了我們近四十年的建築作品回顧，書名恰巧叫《人本建築》(CULTIVATING COMPASSION)。 海澤維克先生世界知名，他的「人本設計」廣獲稱道，毋庸置疑，個人亦十分敬佩，但我們的書在《人本建築》(HUMANISE)問世前六年即已出版，所以大概不至於被譏為「東施效顰」吧！？
2010年上海世博看到他設計的英國館「種子聖殿」甚為驚豔，之後去倫敦也參訪了他的事務所。設計原就是為人而做，建築與環境作品更是為人設想，才有意義、才有價值。海澤維克的設計，常常在「為人設想」上突發奇想，增加趣味及言外之意，給人驚喜，是隱性的「人本」思維極其難得的境界，是優美、品味、欣悅、歡愉之外另一層次的貢獻，相信匯集成冊的這本書，能讓讀者更深地體會設計的意涵與價值。」──潘冀│建築師
「『將公共價值與歡樂帶回建築界，展開公共對話』，為我們在台灣的城市發展和建築設計提供了寶貴的思考方向。」──張基義│台灣設計研究院院長
「所謂『人本建築』顧名思義是建築須『以人為本』。此書是英國鬼才建築師Thomas Heatherwick將其意中的『建築』公諸於世，有助了解其創作背後所想，進而學習探索屬於自己的『人本建築』之路。」──吳宜晏│建走大叔
「本書以溫暖且有趣的文筆，深入淺出地啟發設計思辨，帶領讀者重新思考建築對心靈的滋養與空間的啟蒙價值。」──曾令理｜國立陽明交通大學建築研究所副教授
「Heatherwick擅長從建築史的脈絡與經驗檢視當下建成環境（built environment）所遭遇的挑戰，從微觀角度看見世界，再用宏觀視角解決問題，並從人類的歷史經驗中尋找解決當代問題的有趣答案，有趣才得以成就共感，人類所創造出來的新事物唯有獲得大家的共感，才有機會讓我們的環境變得永續可居。」──榮芳杰｜國立清華大學環境與文化資源學系副教授
「這是一本大師傑作。它激烈十足，熱情洋溢，推理嚴謹，恰如其分。它讓我對未來的走向充滿希望。」——艾倫•狄波頓│知名英國作家
「這本書是一本超級通俗易懂的指南，它告訴我們為什麼不應忍受沒有靈魂的建築，以及如何改變現況。」格雷森•佩里│陶藝家、英國當代藝術家
「這本書將改變你看待世界的方式。」──賽門‧西奈克│《為什麼》系列作者
「《人本建築》是一部傑作。它為我們開出了一劑強有力的建築良方，讓我們將公眾放在首位，為人類更光明的未來鋪路。」──麥可•彭博│ 前紐約市市長
「鼓舞人心，啟迪心智，逼人深思。」——諾瑞娜．赫茲│經濟學家
「《人本建築》超越所有邊界、文化和專業領域……它敦促地球上的所有人歡慶生命。」
——片岡真實│森美術館館長暨首席策展人
「一本社會與經濟傑作。」——馬克•卡尼│前英國中央銀行總裁
「《人本建築》主張，我們必須將公共價值與歡樂帶回建築界。」——瑪里亞娜•馬祖卡托│經濟學家
「《人本建築》點燃了多年來我殷殷呼籲、刻不容緩的公共對話。」——泰瑞•法瑞爵士│仁川機場建築師
「本書幫助飽受挫折的一般民眾和社區看見可能的未來。」——大衛•拜恩│音樂家
496 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
November 20, 2023
Thank you to Scribner and Goodreads for this amazing book I won in a Goodreads Giveaway.
As soon as I held this book in my hands and opened it to the first page, I was hooked. CAPTIVATED! I had to see more, learn more, discover more!
To me, this is what a good book is supposed to do. Open your mind and show you things you've never seen before. Capture your interest and curiousity. I was truly fascinated from the start, where the author shares a photo of Gaudí's Casa Milà, and how he'd never seen a building like that until he saw it in a book he'd picked up years ago, and essentially how that made the light in his brain flick on and the rest is history.
Have you ever really thought about how the buildings that surround you might contribute to feelings of being sick or unhappy? I'd not really thought of that too much until I read this amazing book. It's certainly an interesting idea worth exploring! This book shares so many bright and interesting ideas of how we can begin to feel better starting with the structures that surround us, and how each of us can play a role in making things better.
I love everything about this book from the cover to the interesting black and white photos within, and the interesting informational charts provided in different layouts as well.
Fun fact, in case you did not know (I didn't realize at first) Thomas Heatherwick designed the Vessel structure in New York and if that's any indication of how cool this book is, well, there you have it.
Thank you again to Scribner and Goodreads for this book. It's one of my favorites and I always find something new and interesting on any page that I revisit!
Thanks for taking the time to read my review and happy reading!
As soon as I held this book in my hands and opened it to the first page, I was hooked. CAPTIVATED! I had to see more, learn more, discover more!
To me, this is what a good book is supposed to do. Open your mind and show you things you've never seen before. Capture your interest and curiousity. I was truly fascinated from the start, where the author shares a photo of Gaudí's Casa Milà, and how he'd never seen a building like that until he saw it in a book he'd picked up years ago, and essentially how that made the light in his brain flick on and the rest is history.
Have you ever really thought about how the buildings that surround you might contribute to feelings of being sick or unhappy? I'd not really thought of that too much until I read this amazing book. It's certainly an interesting idea worth exploring! This book shares so many bright and interesting ideas of how we can begin to feel better starting with the structures that surround us, and how each of us can play a role in making things better.
I love everything about this book from the cover to the interesting black and white photos within, and the interesting informational charts provided in different layouts as well.
Fun fact, in case you did not know (I didn't realize at first) Thomas Heatherwick designed the Vessel structure in New York and if that's any indication of how cool this book is, well, there you have it.
Thank you again to Scribner and Goodreads for this book. It's one of my favorites and I always find something new and interesting on any page that I revisit!
Thanks for taking the time to read my review and happy reading!
January 16, 2024
4/5
Tricky to rate. A very simple argument, made simply and repeated again and again over 400 pages.
Most modern buildings are boring and we need more interesting ones.
I knew this book would get pelters after reading the first few pages. It’s shouty and attacks current practitioners. And yes, it’s very self-indulgent and lacks depth. But! This seems an entirely appropriate way to get the point across to the audience it’s intended… the general public, i.e. the passers-by of buildings.
And I simply can’t agree more that buildings dominate the sense of a place – and that I’d much rather be surrounded by interesting architecture (like in Bath, for example) than boring architecture (like the vast majority of towns and cities in the UK). It’s something I’d noticed as a kid and possibly unlearned as an adult.
So, in short, I thought it’s a great point, made intentionally simply and repeated to death. And why not go about it like that? I’m imagining the author banging their head against the wall for thirty years making it – this book is the manifestation of that. A nice bonus too, it’s very well designed.
Will be passing on to my mates as requested by the author in the final pages.
Tricky to rate. A very simple argument, made simply and repeated again and again over 400 pages.
Most modern buildings are boring and we need more interesting ones.
I knew this book would get pelters after reading the first few pages. It’s shouty and attacks current practitioners. And yes, it’s very self-indulgent and lacks depth. But! This seems an entirely appropriate way to get the point across to the audience it’s intended… the general public, i.e. the passers-by of buildings.
And I simply can’t agree more that buildings dominate the sense of a place – and that I’d much rather be surrounded by interesting architecture (like in Bath, for example) than boring architecture (like the vast majority of towns and cities in the UK). It’s something I’d noticed as a kid and possibly unlearned as an adult.
So, in short, I thought it’s a great point, made intentionally simply and repeated to death. And why not go about it like that? I’m imagining the author banging their head against the wall for thirty years making it – this book is the manifestation of that. A nice bonus too, it’s very well designed.
Will be passing on to my mates as requested by the author in the final pages.
May 15, 2024
Humanise is a book with a simple message - we need to make buildings less boring for the sake of mental wellbeing, for the environment, and to foster creativity. This is repeated throughout the book, but it manages to avoid monotony through its interesting visual examples and graphic design. That said, I wish the author had gone into more depth about some of the topics, such as designing everyday buildings (not just vanity projects), building materials, and how software can help create and judge interesting designs.
Some takeaways from the book:
● A building should be interesting to look at from a city distance, street distance, and especially from a door distance.
● Interesting design doesn't have to mean lavish decorations - even slight variations in the depth of a facade draw a viewer's attention.
● Something I wasn't aware of - some of Le Corbusier's later works are a far cry from his typical brutalist blocks of flats!
Some takeaways from the book:
● A building should be interesting to look at from a city distance, street distance, and especially from a door distance.
● Interesting design doesn't have to mean lavish decorations - even slight variations in the depth of a facade draw a viewer's attention.
● Something I wasn't aware of - some of Le Corbusier's later works are a far cry from his typical brutalist blocks of flats!
November 20, 2024
It’s unbelievable after you see the fact that, they only teach value calculations of the buildings as the parameter of money. In architecture school we don’t even study about profits and losses of the buildings we design. But professors still asks stupid questions like if the building itself will profit or not.
More important maybe the most important question is if the buildings we design valued enough to be what it supposed to be.
If you’re designing a hospital, the main purpose should be treating people. Thats the definition of a hospital. If you only focus on how many beds could you fit into the building, you might delay the healing of the patients.
The question about value engineering should be, how does the building itself helps to heal the patients. This way people won’t stay in the hospitals more than it needs and new patients could come faster.
So there is an optimisation problem. Now the question is how do you optimize the value of a hospital without lowering the healing standarts, which is not only the space a human body covers, it is the space a human body needs.
Firstly I thougt this book was all about him showing off what his office built and blaming Modernism. Now I can clearly see how Thomas Heatherwick thinks about the environment that we are living in.
More important maybe the most important question is if the buildings we design valued enough to be what it supposed to be.
If you’re designing a hospital, the main purpose should be treating people. Thats the definition of a hospital. If you only focus on how many beds could you fit into the building, you might delay the healing of the patients.
The question about value engineering should be, how does the building itself helps to heal the patients. This way people won’t stay in the hospitals more than it needs and new patients could come faster.
So there is an optimisation problem. Now the question is how do you optimize the value of a hospital without lowering the healing standarts, which is not only the space a human body covers, it is the space a human body needs.
Firstly I thougt this book was all about him showing off what his office built and blaming Modernism. Now I can clearly see how Thomas Heatherwick thinks about the environment that we are living in.
January 20, 2025
really fun read apart from the fonts giving me whiplash and the completely random advocating for the use of AI at the end? seems at odds with the rest of the book but i guess it’s still better than glass boxes and bird massacres
April 20, 2025
this book makes an important distinction between modernism in architecture as a true architectural style and modernism as it is often interpreted and applied. several generations of boring buildings, claiming to be modern, have been built over the course of the last century and used, albeit largely unnoticed and even worst unappreciated, only to be torn down for something equally as boring to be built. architects have evolved into academics, efficiency and mechanization have replaced craftsmanship, and budget and “sustainability” have replaced beauty. how can we fix our cities? we need to make them more human!
good cities, that is, the ones built by and for humans, are like our natural world. there is enough complexity to be interesting but not so much to be chaotic; there is enough repetition to be ordered but no so much to be boring. additionally, there is enough culture and character to define a sense of place. think of a forest, all the trees may be of the same species but the trees differ in height and branch profiles… and a forest in California will look and feel different than a forest in Cameroon.
think of a building that caught your attention and moved you at first sight. what qualities of the architecture interested you? now go, and share your answer with someone else so that we can assist in humanising our cities!
good cities, that is, the ones built by and for humans, are like our natural world. there is enough complexity to be interesting but not so much to be chaotic; there is enough repetition to be ordered but no so much to be boring. additionally, there is enough culture and character to define a sense of place. think of a forest, all the trees may be of the same species but the trees differ in height and branch profiles… and a forest in California will look and feel different than a forest in Cameroon.
think of a building that caught your attention and moved you at first sight. what qualities of the architecture interested you? now go, and share your answer with someone else so that we can assist in humanising our cities!
August 29, 2024
This would be one of the first books I'd hand someone interested in why design in public places and architecture matters. It's incredibly accessible (there are a lot of fun pictures and graphics) and very well-reasoned. My main complaint is that the author overlooks the role slaves and underpaid workers played in making certain historical buildings/structures possible. But as a whole, it compellingly explains why our cities are so boring and how we can make them more human once again.
March 18, 2025
Good thing about this book is that it provided loads of photos to demonstrate a pretty/ugly building can be universal. I am also sick of the bordness of plain buildings. Heatherwick talked about the challenges construction industry is facing, and was pretty accurate - it's mostly about the budget. Beauty is difficult to measure, so in this capitalised world, budgets and efficiency took the lead.
Bad thing about the book is probably - the whole printed book (traditional chinese version) smells like ink on quiz papers... and also it has a strong advoking tone so that the whole book repeats itself and criticises modernism. I knew how it is a total struggle in coordinating client's needs, budgets, laws & regulations, sustainability, health & safety, and functionability all in a construction project (since I work in the industry), so I do find it very challenging to respond to Heatherwick's advocacy.
I myself thought some repetitive staightlines and frames creates some sort of beauty.
But I do get what Heatherwick was talking about - I can't deny the beauty of Casa Milà and Sagrada Família, or the fact that I was awed by both Barcelona and Paris.
Bad thing about the book is probably - the whole printed book (traditional chinese version) smells like ink on quiz papers... and also it has a strong advoking tone so that the whole book repeats itself and criticises modernism. I knew how it is a total struggle in coordinating client's needs, budgets, laws & regulations, sustainability, health & safety, and functionability all in a construction project (since I work in the industry), so I do find it very challenging to respond to Heatherwick's advocacy.
I myself thought some repetitive staightlines and frames creates some sort of beauty.
But I do get what Heatherwick was talking about - I can't deny the beauty of Casa Milà and Sagrada Família, or the fact that I was awed by both Barcelona and Paris.
May 27, 2024
I absolutely flew through this one; I genuinely couldn't put it down. Heatherwick presents a somewhat repetitive but ultimately convincing argument that we are living in a cult of modernist architecture. While I have also embraced the ideals of prioritizing more "humanist" buildings that work to represent a sense of place, being designed from outside in, rather than vice versa. It is reassuring to see this case presented in a straightforward manner. Hopefully, this book will encourage others to adopt this perspective towards architecture moving forward.
October 16, 2024
Best book on architecture I’ve read and the new totemic book for the future of the industry. Turns the tables on the current direction of boring architecture to create a manifesto for new cities. An exciting step forward and a must read for students and professionals alike. I hope to owe a lot of my own future thinking and design back to this book.
July 8, 2024
So fun to read
August 4, 2024
The author's viewpoint is quite shallow and superficial. The focus is primarily on the visual design (attractiveness and beauty) of architecture, while largely ignoring other essential aspects to consider, such as spatial efficiency, balance, restoration, preservation, environmental protection, and material use.
He emphasizes that a boring city would lead to higher depression rates and the occurrence of chronic diseases among people. However, this is a logical fallacy, as both consequences are more likely due to the high density and lack of resources in such a city, including building and medical resources, fresh and clean food, rather than a direct causal relationship between the two consequences.
Despite this, the book does encourage readers to reflect on the meaning of buildings to them. Overall, it is a good leisure and reference read, but may not be inspiring for architectural professionals, as there are more multifaceted ways to define and appreciate a good building beyond just its outward appearance.
He emphasizes that a boring city would lead to higher depression rates and the occurrence of chronic diseases among people. However, this is a logical fallacy, as both consequences are more likely due to the high density and lack of resources in such a city, including building and medical resources, fresh and clean food, rather than a direct causal relationship between the two consequences.
Despite this, the book does encourage readers to reflect on the meaning of buildings to them. Overall, it is a good leisure and reference read, but may not be inspiring for architectural professionals, as there are more multifaceted ways to define and appreciate a good building beyond just its outward appearance.
June 25, 2024
Ugh. Lots of youthful energy here.
October 17, 2024
Pft Le Corbusier is such a dick bro
December 28, 2024
Me and my homies hate 5 over 1 buildings.
October 3, 2024
4.5 stars. Yes, this book focuses more on emotions than statistics and a broader in-depth argument. But it gets people thinking, and is a brave stand in the modern architecture world, that until now has been only seen perhaps only among those in neoclassical/traditional architecture.
I'm not particularly a fan of Thomas Heatherwick's work. I do really like a few of his projects, but there's many that make me say 'yikes!'. However, his manifesto for architecture and urban design is incredibly refreshing and welcome. Humanise: A Maker’s Guide to Building Our World argues his case against 'boring' architecture, and for his desire for buildings that bring joy and interest to people, both from a distance, but also up close. It is not a thorough academic text, but an emotive one that is designed to get people thinking.
Its layout is original and very approachable - it's 400 pages, but filled with images and diagrams. I really do wish he had chosen to include more of the research that backs up his argument - it can come across as an emotive argument without the data to back it up (which his critics lean into) but the research is very much out there and echoing his thoughts. That it is so approachable is important in an industry that loves jargon and incomprehensible theoretical writings. It's aimed at been accessible for the public, to get them to think and be engaged, not just those in the industry.
It was wonderful to find a big name in architecture (although I hadn't realised he was an architect himself), criticising the cliquey snobbery the industry has. Unsurprisingly this book has been heavily criticised by the industry, with scathing reviews in The Architects' Journal etc. (perhaps calling the architect tutor's favourite architecture, Le Corbusier, 'the god of boring' hit a nerve, but it is certainly how I shall think of him now!). There are too many stories of architects who dismiss and look down upon the opinion of the public. However, unlike a piece of sculpture, it is the public who have to live with it and thus whose thoughts and feelings are very important in considering the design of a building (and there are many architects who even ignore the clients who hired them).
I wasn't expecting him to then argue at the end that part of the issue is that architecture has become removed from the world of artists. In my experience, architecture has gone too far that way, focusing on weird concepts and narratives, rather than the ergonomics of the building, and craftsmanship involved with it.
While reading this, I was thinking that perhaps he is a little to far the other way, into starchitecture, rather than a tasteful medium, but at the end he does acknowledge this saying: 'Of course every new building shouldn't strain to look iconic. I'm only saying that buildings should have enough care, complexity and emotional intelligence built into them that the people who use them and pass by them every day are nourished by them.' I was concerned this could come across as an advertising stunt for his practice, but while he does occasionally refence a building of his, it was not very often.
I bookmarked a couple of pages that made me think. Firstly, when he talks about Paul Morrell's stance against viewing buildings through the lens of profit. Value in a built asset isn't just profit. For instance in a hospital, its value should be patients healed, in a prison the number of inmates who go back to society and don't reoffend. You could decide to go for profit and max out the number of beds that can be fitted in, or instead fit less in, but focus on creating a healing environment. Secondly, a page with an image of repetitive tower blocks in India with the following sentence written across it:
'If you asked children to draw an imaginary dream city, how many would come up with something like this?'
I'm not particularly a fan of Thomas Heatherwick's work. I do really like a few of his projects, but there's many that make me say 'yikes!'. However, his manifesto for architecture and urban design is incredibly refreshing and welcome. Humanise: A Maker’s Guide to Building Our World argues his case against 'boring' architecture, and for his desire for buildings that bring joy and interest to people, both from a distance, but also up close. It is not a thorough academic text, but an emotive one that is designed to get people thinking.
Its layout is original and very approachable - it's 400 pages, but filled with images and diagrams. I really do wish he had chosen to include more of the research that backs up his argument - it can come across as an emotive argument without the data to back it up (which his critics lean into) but the research is very much out there and echoing his thoughts. That it is so approachable is important in an industry that loves jargon and incomprehensible theoretical writings. It's aimed at been accessible for the public, to get them to think and be engaged, not just those in the industry.
It was wonderful to find a big name in architecture (although I hadn't realised he was an architect himself), criticising the cliquey snobbery the industry has. Unsurprisingly this book has been heavily criticised by the industry, with scathing reviews in The Architects' Journal etc. (perhaps calling the architect tutor's favourite architecture, Le Corbusier, 'the god of boring' hit a nerve, but it is certainly how I shall think of him now!). There are too many stories of architects who dismiss and look down upon the opinion of the public. However, unlike a piece of sculpture, it is the public who have to live with it and thus whose thoughts and feelings are very important in considering the design of a building (and there are many architects who even ignore the clients who hired them).
I wasn't expecting him to then argue at the end that part of the issue is that architecture has become removed from the world of artists. In my experience, architecture has gone too far that way, focusing on weird concepts and narratives, rather than the ergonomics of the building, and craftsmanship involved with it.
While reading this, I was thinking that perhaps he is a little to far the other way, into starchitecture, rather than a tasteful medium, but at the end he does acknowledge this saying: 'Of course every new building shouldn't strain to look iconic. I'm only saying that buildings should have enough care, complexity and emotional intelligence built into them that the people who use them and pass by them every day are nourished by them.' I was concerned this could come across as an advertising stunt for his practice, but while he does occasionally refence a building of his, it was not very often.
I bookmarked a couple of pages that made me think. Firstly, when he talks about Paul Morrell's stance against viewing buildings through the lens of profit. Value in a built asset isn't just profit. For instance in a hospital, its value should be patients healed, in a prison the number of inmates who go back to society and don't reoffend. You could decide to go for profit and max out the number of beds that can be fitted in, or instead fit less in, but focus on creating a healing environment. Secondly, a page with an image of repetitive tower blocks in India with the following sentence written across it:
'If you asked children to draw an imaginary dream city, how many would come up with something like this?'
January 6, 2026
TLDR - Humanise tells a fun, engaging and well-researched story of the origins of boring buildings, and articulates a compassionate solution to the problem. Surely a must-read for any architecture student, or just about anyone in an architecture career*.
At 18, I had to make the decision between studying architecture vs. studying anything else oriented around design and invention. I had spent the majority of my life up to that point believing that architecture was my one true passion (ever since I saw the Turning Torso by Santiago Calatrava as a wee lad, and later discovered the infinite wonders of Minecraft). I spent my spare time crafting miniature models from paper and writing my EPQ on architectural flood defences. It was the only path I ever considered.
But by the time I came of age to make the all important University decision, I had grown disillusioned with what this career seemed to have in stall for me. Where were all the beautiful buildings that these architects once hoped to build? How come nearly all the recent builds across the country looked like the exact same soulless metal-and-glass cages? How come the country's brightest and most creative minds were holing up for seven years in architecture school only to wind up working on these dull and dreary buildings-made-of-mirrors? A great deal of the architects I admired weren't even classically trained, and what were these professionals waffling about anyway when they spoke of "layered spatial interactions"?
Long story short, I chose Design Engineering instead. But I haven't stopped reminiscing since about what might have been. I've had a great deal many conversations with friends about architecture and building - many of these debate points are even covered in this book. For all the times I tried to articulate the meaning of 'Critical Regionalism' to my begrudging engineer friends; the moments I struggled to defend why - no matter how ugly these modern office blocks were - the solution isn't to just build everything in an Edwardian style again; and those rare moments when I encountered an incredible, humane piece of architecture and agonised over why there weren't more buildings like it**, this book would have come in handy. Humanise elucidates in fun, engaging prose exactly what lead us to this 'blandemic', and how we fight to bring interesting and thoughtful buildings back onto our streets.
Mr Heatherwick - if you are reading this - I'd still like to design buildings and architecture even if I can't officially call myself an architect. Care to take me on board?
* I'm looking at you, Grimshaw Architects / BDP / Fletcher Priest.
** I am fortunate enough to have worked inside 15 Clerkenwell Close and can testify to its awe-inspiring feeling. It felt like venturing through lost ruins. Funnily enough, I also visited Doddington Estate many times as my ex lived there. What an ugly and hostile place. Both buildings are mentioned in the book and occupy opposite ends of the Boring-o-meter.
At 18, I had to make the decision between studying architecture vs. studying anything else oriented around design and invention. I had spent the majority of my life up to that point believing that architecture was my one true passion (ever since I saw the Turning Torso by Santiago Calatrava as a wee lad, and later discovered the infinite wonders of Minecraft). I spent my spare time crafting miniature models from paper and writing my EPQ on architectural flood defences. It was the only path I ever considered.
But by the time I came of age to make the all important University decision, I had grown disillusioned with what this career seemed to have in stall for me. Where were all the beautiful buildings that these architects once hoped to build? How come nearly all the recent builds across the country looked like the exact same soulless metal-and-glass cages? How come the country's brightest and most creative minds were holing up for seven years in architecture school only to wind up working on these dull and dreary buildings-made-of-mirrors? A great deal of the architects I admired weren't even classically trained, and what were these professionals waffling about anyway when they spoke of "layered spatial interactions"?
Long story short, I chose Design Engineering instead. But I haven't stopped reminiscing since about what might have been. I've had a great deal many conversations with friends about architecture and building - many of these debate points are even covered in this book. For all the times I tried to articulate the meaning of 'Critical Regionalism' to my begrudging engineer friends; the moments I struggled to defend why - no matter how ugly these modern office blocks were - the solution isn't to just build everything in an Edwardian style again; and those rare moments when I encountered an incredible, humane piece of architecture and agonised over why there weren't more buildings like it**, this book would have come in handy. Humanise elucidates in fun, engaging prose exactly what lead us to this 'blandemic', and how we fight to bring interesting and thoughtful buildings back onto our streets.
Mr Heatherwick - if you are reading this - I'd still like to design buildings and architecture even if I can't officially call myself an architect. Care to take me on board?
* I'm looking at you, Grimshaw Architects / BDP / Fletcher Priest.
** I am fortunate enough to have worked inside 15 Clerkenwell Close and can testify to its awe-inspiring feeling. It felt like venturing through lost ruins. Funnily enough, I also visited Doddington Estate many times as my ex lived there. What an ugly and hostile place. Both buildings are mentioned in the book and occupy opposite ends of the Boring-o-meter.
October 21, 2023
I come from an arts background, and have taught and advocated for years for creating communities which use arts and culture to benefit livability, quality of life and place, and even economic health. I was thrilled to come across this book, which has similar goals but comes from the architecture side of the picture. Renowned architect Thomas Heatherwick presents a simple premise: buildings used to be interesting. Now they’re boring. And boring buildings are worse than just boring. They are soul-sucking, stress-inducing, environmentally irresponsible monstrosities that have disadvantages far beyond the fact that they are boring and ugly.
Heatherwick starts with an analysis of one of the world’s most unique and beautiful structures, Gaudi’s Basilica de La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, then contrasts this and other buildings in Barcelona with the Modernist movement championed by Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jenneret-Gris) and echoed by other 20th Century artists from Picasso to Pollock in their attempt to strip art down to the basics and experiment with new forms. All well and good, but instead of work hanging on museum walls, building design and city planning affect all of us. In contrast to Louis Sullivan’s famous maxim that form should follow function, which places the design onus on the interior, Heatherwick argues that the exterior affects many more people and should be treated with more care.
Heatherwick applies his own belief in humanization of structure by making the format of the book creative and interesting. He includes dozens of examples of good and bad architecture, presents material using graphic creativity. Even if I were not interested in the subject matter, the format of the book would have kept me interested. Which, obviously, is the point.
This book should be required reading for architects, planners, designers, political officials and anyone else with a stake in creating communities that nurture people instead of dehumanizing them.
Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Heatherwick starts with an analysis of one of the world’s most unique and beautiful structures, Gaudi’s Basilica de La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, then contrasts this and other buildings in Barcelona with the Modernist movement championed by Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jenneret-Gris) and echoed by other 20th Century artists from Picasso to Pollock in their attempt to strip art down to the basics and experiment with new forms. All well and good, but instead of work hanging on museum walls, building design and city planning affect all of us. In contrast to Louis Sullivan’s famous maxim that form should follow function, which places the design onus on the interior, Heatherwick argues that the exterior affects many more people and should be treated with more care.
Heatherwick applies his own belief in humanization of structure by making the format of the book creative and interesting. He includes dozens of examples of good and bad architecture, presents material using graphic creativity. Even if I were not interested in the subject matter, the format of the book would have kept me interested. Which, obviously, is the point.
This book should be required reading for architects, planners, designers, political officials and anyone else with a stake in creating communities that nurture people instead of dehumanizing them.
Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
January 25, 2025
An easy and visually engaging read, with its large font and plentiful images making it feel like a breeze. Heatherwick makes one clear point—he doesn’t like boring buildings—and sticks to it throughout. If this is your first foray into thinking about building design and placemaking, it might be a good place to start.
That said, the book is repetitive and doesn’t fully explore the complexities of the industry with too much rigor. While Heatherwick is critical of others, he seems somewhat disconnected from the profession and the pressures within it too, glossing over practicalities and failing to fully follow through on his points. There’s a call to action here, but it feels more like a starting point than a comprehensive exploration.
A solid entry-level read, many points that leave you pondering what to do with but for me, it left me wanting more depth and nuance, challenging the wider systems that designing and creating places is in.
That said, the book is repetitive and doesn’t fully explore the complexities of the industry with too much rigor. While Heatherwick is critical of others, he seems somewhat disconnected from the profession and the pressures within it too, glossing over practicalities and failing to fully follow through on his points. There’s a call to action here, but it feels more like a starting point than a comprehensive exploration.
A solid entry-level read, many points that leave you pondering what to do with but for me, it left me wanting more depth and nuance, challenging the wider systems that designing and creating places is in.
May 30, 2024
Heatherwick’s ‘Humanise’ is a beautifully designed and accessible book that reflects its mission; this book challenges and deconstructs dogmatic modernist ideas about form, function, and artistic theory. Though focussed through an architectural lens, as someone that studies and teaches English literature, I felt there was a certain universal truth to Heatherwick’s critique on modernist ideas surrounding the arts.
Even for the non-architecturally literate, this book contains an element of seductive intrigue for anyone who’s ever passed a building and FELT something. It delves into why we feel certain ways based on what we observe as a passer-by in a city and articulates how change is needed to ensure that positive, human design is encouraged in architecture and design planning.
Additionally, as well as being an interesting and well argued thought piece, this book is designed to be an experience. Every page’s use of image and text has been carefully considered to reflect its intent. I recommend this book highly.
Even for the non-architecturally literate, this book contains an element of seductive intrigue for anyone who’s ever passed a building and FELT something. It delves into why we feel certain ways based on what we observe as a passer-by in a city and articulates how change is needed to ensure that positive, human design is encouraged in architecture and design planning.
Additionally, as well as being an interesting and well argued thought piece, this book is designed to be an experience. Every page’s use of image and text has been carefully considered to reflect its intent. I recommend this book highly.
November 26, 2023
It turns the page on conventional architecture, challenging to design with heart rather than blueprints. A must-read for anyone who believes that cities should be as full of soul as they are of people.
January 20, 2024
A great book written for both architects and non architects with a simple truth: the building we build are boring. And a simple suggestion: we need to build buildings that are more interesting and humane.
March 29, 2024
Definitely one of my favorite book now !
Someone not afraid of telling the truth about what has been built over the last century and what is still being built nowadays! It’s time to wake up and use architecture to bring humanity and pleasure in our cities and homes !
Someone not afraid of telling the truth about what has been built over the last century and what is still being built nowadays! It’s time to wake up and use architecture to bring humanity and pleasure in our cities and homes !
February 4, 2025
Very interesting very slay I love urban planning and architecture I wish I could do one million degrees and learn everything but in place of that books like this help
June 19, 2025
Good reminders to advocate for visual and tactile complexity in the built environment. Make buildings interesting for the people!
December 22, 2025
An apt read given I’ve been in Stratford for the past few months…
March 9, 2025
Me hubiera gustado que la crítica fuera más argumentada y no tanto sentimentalismo de por medio como sustento. Lo peor es que está publicado como enojo que es lo que es.
Lo bueno la diagramacion
Lo bueno la diagramacion
December 9, 2023
A rollicking read!
This book is a call to arms to all involved in the Built Environment. We can and we must do better!
It’s an allegory too as to why Climate Change isn’t being actioned. Too much power by too few on too many.
Places and spaces which create joy and delight should be a human right!
This book is a call to arms to all involved in the Built Environment. We can and we must do better!
It’s an allegory too as to why Climate Change isn’t being actioned. Too much power by too few on too many.
Places and spaces which create joy and delight should be a human right!
December 30, 2024
When you look past the fact that it reads like a Tom Gates book for adults it’s actually very enjoyable. A good point well made despite being a little repetitive - good contextual reference for a-level art project🔥🔥
April 7, 2024
CHALLENGE: Read Nonfiction Books I Own
1/11
This book is excellent and really spoke to how I’ve been feeling about how our cities are designed and filled with so many boring-looking and uninspiring buildings (I love that the author calls it a “blandemic” lol). There are a lot history lessons in the book (e.g, Modernist architects from the 20th century started the tall straight, rectangular buildings trend we see everywhere today) which I appreciated because it gives context as to why things are the way they are and where it all started from. The author provides solutions towards the end of the book (e.g architects should diversify their circles and collaborate more with artists and other creatives on building projects and not allow themselves to be so stifled by academia) which allows the reader to not feel hopeless and that the author is just complaining without doing something about it.
I bought this book on a whim when I saw it at a bookstore and skimmed through it (oh there’s also lots of pictures too). Highly recommended especially if you are interested in city design, architecture, and history.
1/11
This book is excellent and really spoke to how I’ve been feeling about how our cities are designed and filled with so many boring-looking and uninspiring buildings (I love that the author calls it a “blandemic” lol). There are a lot history lessons in the book (e.g, Modernist architects from the 20th century started the tall straight, rectangular buildings trend we see everywhere today) which I appreciated because it gives context as to why things are the way they are and where it all started from. The author provides solutions towards the end of the book (e.g architects should diversify their circles and collaborate more with artists and other creatives on building projects and not allow themselves to be so stifled by academia) which allows the reader to not feel hopeless and that the author is just complaining without doing something about it.
I bought this book on a whim when I saw it at a bookstore and skimmed through it (oh there’s also lots of pictures too). Highly recommended especially if you are interested in city design, architecture, and history.
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