Biophilic Cities: Integrating Nature into Urban Design and Planning
Timothy Beatley, “Biophilic Cities: Integrating Nature into Urban Design and Planning”
Publisher: Island Press | ISBN 10: 1597267155 | 2010 | PDF | 208 pages | 11.8 MB
Tim Beatley has long been a leader in advocating for the “greening” of cities. But too often, he notes, urban greening efforts focus on everything except nature, emphasizing such elements as public transit, renewable energy production, and energy efficient building systems. While these are important aspects of reimagining urban living, they are not enough, says Beatley. We must remember that human beings have an innate need to connect with the natural world (the biophilia hypothesis). And any vision of a sustainable urban future must place its focus squarely on nature, on the presence, conservation, and celebration of the actual green features and natural life forms.
A biophilic city is more than simply a biodiverse city, says Beatley. It is a place that learns from nature and emulates natural systems, incorporates natural forms and images into its buildings and cityscapes, and designs and plans in conjunction with nature. A biophilic city cherishes the natural features that already exist but also works to restore and repair what has been lost or degraded.
In Biophilic Cities Beatley not only outlines the essential elements of a biophilic city, but provides examples and stories about cities that have successfully integrated biophilic elements–from the building to the regional level–around the world.
From urban ecological networks and connected systems of urban greenspace, to green rooftops and green walls and sidewalk gardens, Beatley reviews the emerging practice of biophilic urban design and planning, and tells many compelling stories of individuals and groups working hard to transform cities from grey and lifeless to green and biodiverse.
Read more…
Categories: Architecture Tags: Biophilic, Design, Nature, Planning
Splendors of Faith: New Orleans Catholic Churches, 1727-1930
Splendors of Faith: New Orleans Catholic Churches, 1727-1930 By Charles E. Nolan, Frank J. Methe
Publisher: Lo..uisi..ana St..ate Univ..ers..ity Pre..ss 2010 | 134 Pages | ISBN: 0807136824 | PDF | 45 MB
A gumbo of French, Spanish, and American influences, the architecture of New Orleans has always reflected the city’s strong Catholic roots. Indeed, St. Louis Cathedral across from Jackson Square stands as perhaps the most widely recognized face of New Orleans. The cathedral, though, is just one of many stunning churches that beautifully reflect the city’s long and diverse Catholic heritage. Splendors of Faith showcases thirteen of these historic churches of exceptional architectural and artistic beauty, revealing scenic treasures that lie mostly beyond the well-worn tourist paths.
The earliest of the thirteen, St. Louis Cathedral, traces its origin to 1727. The most recent, Immaculate Conception, was built in 1930 but modeled after its mid-nineteenth-century predecessor. The eleven other churches are Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Holy Name of Jesus, Mater Dolorosa, Our Lady of the Rosary, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Joseph, St. Mary’s Assumption, St. Patrick, St. Peter Claver, and St. Stephen.
In image and word, photographer Frank J. Methe and historian Charles E. Nolan capture the splendor of these places of worship. Methe provides sumptuously detailed color photographs of the churches and their interior décor. Nolan offers enlightening commentary about each edifice, its congregation, and the rich variety of art forms assembled over the years: architecture, stained glass, statuary, mosaics, paintings, and more.
New Orleans Catholics and their churches experienced dramatic change after Hurricane Katrina and the levee breaks. The buildings featured here, some of which suffered major damage in 2005, continue to serve as places of worship, bearing witness to a vibrant cultural component in one of the country’s most beloved cities. Splendors of Faith takes readers inside these landmark churches and reveals their aesthetic and historical significance as never before.
Read more…
Categories: Architecture Tags: Churches, Faith, Orleans, Splendors
The Vegetable Gardener’s Book of Building Projects: 39 Indispensable Projects to Increase the Bounty and Beauty of Your Garden
The Vegetable Gardener’s Book of Building Projects: 39 Indispensable Projects to Increase the Bounty and Beauty of Your Garden by Editors of Storey Publishing
Storey Books | English | 2010 | ISBN: 1603425268 | 152 pages | EPUB | 12 MB
Guided by a rediscovered spirit of self-sufficiency, a renewed sense of thrift, and a deepened commitment to the natural environment, legions of people are finding satisfaction in vegetable gardening. As gardeners spend more time in their yards, they look for ways to make their gardens more productive, their garden chores easier, and their outdoor spaces more enjoyable.
Now, with just a little time and a handful of tools, gardeners can create handsome, handcrafted items for their gardens at a fraction of the cost of buying retail. The Vegetable Gardeners Book of Building Projects presents 39 ideas for simple projects from cold frames to compost bins, from planters to picnic tables, and from trellises to tool storage. Each project was hand-selected by Storey’s editors to be functional, attractive, and easy to complete. Each includes step-by-step instructions, detailed illustrations, complete materials and lumber lists, no-nonsense tips, and a four-color photograph of the finished product in its natural setting. Projects are as practical as they are simple; many are ideal for the beginning woodworker, and most can be completed in a matter of hours.
Whether a gardener needs a support for his beans and peas or looks forward to relaxing in a lawn chair or garden swing when the work is done, these plans are the perfect starting point.
Read more…
Categories: Architecture Tags: Beauty, Bounty, Garden, Increase, Indispensable, Projects
Built to Meet Needs: Cultural Issues in Vernacular Architecture
Paul Oliver, “Built to Meet Needs: Cultural Issues in Vernacular Architecture”
Publisher: Architectural Press | ISBN: 0750666579 | edition 2006 | PDF | 445 pages | 21.5 mb
The study of vernacular architecture explores the characteristics of domestic buildings in particular regions or localities, and the many social and cultural factors that have contributed to their evolution. In this book, vernacular architecture specialist Paul Oliver brings together a wealth of information that spans over two decades, and the whole globe. Some previously unpublished papers, as well as those only available in hard to find conference proceedings, are brought together in one volume to form a fascinating reference for students and professional architects, as well as all those involved with planning housing schemes in their home countries and overseas.
* Draws together a fascinating collection of elusive essays from a leading author on vernacular architecture
* Includes research and case studies from all continents
* Covers a wide range of issues relating to vernacular architecture including economies, technologies, inherited skills, social and family structures, physical needs, belief systems and symbolism
Read more…
Categories: Architecture Tags: Architecture, Built, Cultural, Meet, Needs, Vernacular
Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations (4th edition)
William W. Sannwald – Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations (4th edition)
Publisher: Amеr Librаry Assn | 2003-03-07 | ISBN: 0838935060 | PDF | 183 pages | 1.14 MB
Planning construction of a new library facility or renovation of an existing one can be a daunting task. With the new fifth edition of his Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations, veteran library administrator and construction consultant William Sannwald guides librarians and other members of a building design team through the stages of the design process. Updated materials include
# A new chapter on sustainable design, including issues of site selection, air quality, and energy and water efficiency
# New sections on wireless networking, information commons and media production and presentation labs
# Updated treatment of special collections and materials handling systems
# A new section on disaster planning
# ADA Accessibility Guidelines section reorganized to match structure of the federal statute
Because construction projects are complex and sometimes unwieldy, Sannwald’s checklist format provides a clear, concise way of itemizing the issues, helping your construction project run as smoothly as possible!
Read more…
Categories: Architecture Tags: building, Checklist, Design, Library
Wien für Mediziner: 15 Spaziergänge durch das alte medizinische Wien
Wien für Mediziner: 15 Spaziergänge durch das alte medizinische Wien
Publisher: Sрringer | 2007-05-23 | ISBN: 3211486399 | PDF | 199 pages | 14.11 MB
“Die Straßen Wiens sind mit Medizingeschichte gepflastert.” So könnte man einen Satz von Karl Kraus abwandeln. Tatsächlich kann sich ein aufmerksamer Besucher kaum durch die Stadt bewegen, ohne durch einen Straßennamen, ein Gebäude, ein Denkmal oder eine Gedenktafel daran erinnert zu werden, dass Wien einst eine medizinische Weltstadt war, in die Studenten und Ärzte aus der ganzen Welt pilgerten, um hier zu lernen. Dieser Stadtführer richtet sich speziell an den medizinhistorisch interessierten Besucher – aber auch Bewohner – dieser immer wieder faszinierenden Stadt. In 15 Spaziergängen begeben sich die Leser auf eine Spurensuche im alten medizinischen Wien: zum Narrenturm oder zu Freuds Ordination oder den Wirkstätten berühmter Ärzte, durch das Alte Allgemeine Krankenhaus oder zu den wichtigen medizinhistorischen Museen etc. Mit vielen unbekannten Details und Anekdoten bietet der Reiseführer auch eine kurze Medizingeschichte Wiens – ergänzt durch einen kleinen Lokalführer für den müden Besucher.
Read more…
Categories: Architecture Tags: durch, medizinische, Spazierg, Wien
21st Century Security and CPTED: Designing for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Crime Prevention
21st Century Security and CPTED: Designing for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Crime Prevention
Auerbach (5-2008) | PDF | 560 pages | ISBN: 1420068075 | 24.1Mb
21st Century Security and CPTED: Designing for Critical Infrastructure Protection and Crime Prevention /by Randall I. Atlas. Once overlooked as a minor and ineffective tactic in the mitigation and prevention of terrorism and violent crime, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) has undergone dramatic changes since the September 11 attacks. The most up-to-date reevaluation of CPTED since 2000, 21st Century Security and CPTED reflects updates and amendments to the rules for security in the built environment and presents the knowledge and practice of CPTED as applied to today’s world of threats, including street crime, workplace violence, and terrorism.
Edited by America’s premier architect, criminologist, and Certified Protection Professional, and boasting contributions from the world’s top CPTED practitioners, this book represents the first collection of CPTED information to be readily accessible to the architectural and law enforcement communities. Facilitating understanding across fields, it explains the architecture process to security directors and the security design process to architects.
Read more…
Categories: Architecture Tags: Designing, Infrastructure, Prevention, Protection