New Organic Architecture: The Breaking Wave

From Library Journal

"Organic" has long served as a catchall term in architecture, haphazardly applied to topics as disparate as cave dwellings, 19th-century Gothic Revival, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Frank Gehry. Pearson (The Natural House Book) strives to place organic architecture in historic perspective, define the elements that bond and energize its proponents worldwide, and showcase the latest and best examples of organic building. He succeeds up to a point: the prose is flowing and inspirational, the illustrations abundant, and the selection of architects laudably diverse. The text, however, resounds with partisan rhetoric more typical of a manifesto than a critical survey. Over half the book is an anthology of architects' statements, which is interesting but doesn't make for a coherent overview of the contemporary scene. James Wines's Green Architecture (LJ 10/15/00) draws a more complete and balanced picture of the increasingly influential trend toward organic design and environmental sustainability, making it a first choice for public and academic libraries. This book, notwithstanding the above reservations, is highly recommended as a supplemental resource. David Soltesz, Cuyahoga Cty. P.L., Parma, OH Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"If your soul longs to dwell within something other than flat walls . . . this book will make you say, 'Ah!'" -- Natural Home magazine"The prose is flowing and inspirational, the illustrations abundant, and the selection of architects laudably diverse." -- Library Journal