The Shape of Green: Aesthetics, Ecology, and Design is a 2012 non-fiction book by the American architect Lance Hosey. The first book dedicated to the relationships between sustainability and beauty, it outlines a set of principles for the aesthetics of sustainable design. It was first published on 1 June 2012 through Island Press.
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Lance Hosey |
|---|---|
| Genre | Sustainable Design, Architecture, Aesthetics |
| Publisher | Island Press |
Publication date | 2012 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 216 |
| ISBN | 1-61091-032-X |
Synopsis
editThe book is a critique of conventional standards of sustainable design, which emphasize ethics or technology over aesthetics. Alternatively, Hosey argues that sustainability must include sensory engagement to promote human enjoyment, respect for places, and preservation of resources. The book offers three general principles for an aesthetics of sustainable design:
- Conservation: shaping things to be efficient with resources
- Attraction: shaping things to appeal to human desire
- Connection: shaping things to fit their context
The book shows how these themes apply to any scale of design, including graphics, fashion design, products, buildings, and cities.
Reception
editCritical reception has been positive.[1] TreeHugger called it "important" and "significant,"[2] and Environmental Building News praised the book as "long overdue."[3] Builder magazine wrote that The Shape of Green could "revolutionize what it means to be sustainable."[4] John Elkington has praised it as "a passionate book" and "an inspirational guide to a future we can't wait to embrace."[5] Publishers Weekly also gave a favorable review: "[Hosey's] underlying argument—that green living doesn't have to be punishing, expensive, or boring—is a refreshing take on an old debate that fans of Malcolm Gladwell and other big thinkers will find informative and illuminating."[6]
Honors and awards
editReferences
edit- ^ "The shape of green: aesthetics, ecology, and design (review)". Choice Reviews Online. 50 (4): 50-1859. 2012. doi:10.5860/CHOICE.50-1859.
- ^ Lloyd Alter, TreeHugger, August 7, 2012
- ^ Nadav Malin, Environmental Building News, November 29, 2012
- ^ Easey, Claire. "NOT PRETTY? THEN IT'S NOT GREEN". Builder Online. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ Elkington, John. "BEAUTY CAN SAVE THE PLANET". Resurgence & Ecologist. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "The Shape of Green: Aesthetics, Ecology, and Design (review)". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "Environmental Building News" (PDF). Retrieved 5 November 2017.
- ^ "National Urban Design Awards 2014". Urban Design Group. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
- ^ "New York Book Show Awards 2013". New York Book Show. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
- ^ "Designers & Books 'Notable Design Books of 2012'". Designers & Books. Retrieved 25 August 2016.