"The ecological approach to building is the great untold story in the architectural history of the past century. Although not by any means anti-modern, many of the key tenets of the ecological philosophy - sustainability, energy efficiency, harmonious relationship with the environment, a focus on suitability of building types for specific conditions - always stood in apparent contrast to the sweep of science-led 'progress' that characterized much of the Modern Movement. Today, however, in a world increasingly awake to environmental damage, the visionaries of the past are vindicated to the point where yesterday's eccentricities are today's legal requirements, and every architect has an obligation to the environment as well as to his or her client." "After an introduction to the terminology of ecological architecture - including terms such as 'green' and 'sustainable' - the book is organized into three parts. Part I identifies the recurring themes in ecological architecture. Part II features twenty-five case studies each focusing on a specific architect, movement or topic. Some of the names are familiar in this context - Rasem Badran, Kenneth Yeang, Hassan Fathy - but there are also plenty of surprises - Le Corbusier, Buckminster Fuller, Rudolf Schindler. The third part of the book looks to the future and to where ecological architecture might go next as it struggles to deal with global urbanization." "A decisive step in the rewriting of the history of modern architecture, this book is essential reading for practitioners and students of architecture. As an urgent wake-up call concerning the state of our built environment, it will be of interest to everyone who cares about the future of our planet."--Jacket.
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