In fact, the last chapter I had to kind of make myself finish. However it became more of a vague historical overview with some questionably sweeping statements and I found myself much less engaged. Surely architects are guilty of erecting bombastic works, but it by no means explains why the line of a rooftop or curve of a banister stirs a particular mood and emotion in its viewer. The architecture and sense of style around us can change affect moods and explain something about ourselves. When I was a child I used to have long walks with my parents (both architects) along the streets of my home town and listen to them discuss almost every building, every design choice and ornament we passed. He has mused over Proust in “How … Now, with typical self-assurance, he has turned to the subject of architecture. Both the content and the writing. So it was with his Proust book. The architecture of happiness in a like manner encourages one to think about how design works on us and throughout time has influenced us. It encourages us to ruminate about the things we make and see. Search Google Scholar for this author ... Review of General Psychology ISSN: 1089-2680 Like Tom Wolfe before him (see "From Bauhaus to Our House"), De Botton has produced one of the finest books of architectural theory and criticism by a non-architect. Lea reseñas de productos sinceras e imparciales de nuestros usuarios. Read The Architecture of Happiness book reviews & author details and more at … by Pantheon Books. The Architecture of Happiness marks a return to what Alain does best: taking on a subject whose allure is at once tantalizing and a little forbidding and offering to readers a completely beguiling and original exploration of the subject. That's the crux of Alain de Botton's … Sonja Lyubomirsky. I found myself thinking on many occasions, "Ooooh, here's his chance - this could get really good!" The Architecture of Happiness by Alain De Botton. The Architecture of Happiness marks a return to what Alain does best — taking on a subject whose allure is at once tantalizing and a little forbidding and offering to readers a completely beguiling and original exploration of the subject. More than one could ever imagine. This book flipped a switch in me. I didn't know I could be interested in arhitecture, but de Botton was inspired by Stendhal's motto "beauty is the promise of happiness" and analyzes our surroundings and how human needs and desires manifest their ideals in architecture. I understand myself better through this book, and am consoled. I wish the author would have been more direct in his language, as his ideas are not in need of pompous language to get across. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. And yet a concern for architecture and design is too often described as frivolous, even self-indulgent. But I think it does portray architecture and design in quite an accessible way, a great introduction to these ideas, especially with all the photographs and diagrams making for a really nicely designed book that's quick to read. I don't know that I recommend this book for many pleasure readers, but it is certainly a good gift for someone looking (personally or professionally) for a greater appreciation of architecture (see, for example, the film 500 Days of Summer, in which the book as a gift plays a significant role, which is how I first learned of it). Alain de Botton just never disappoints. Vea reseñas y calificaciones de reseñas que otros clientes han escrito de The Architecture of Happiness (Vintage International) (English Edition) en Amazon.com. Familiar with some of De Botton's other works, though, I was eager to read this one too, and to learn why I am so viscerally impacted by my surroundings. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. You can still see all customer reviews for the product. He also guides the reader through the “journey” of architecture and all the different movements and styles, which always end up being influenced by the social context of the era (so it’s full of worthy information, facts, theory and history). NOT. The Architecture of Happiness starts from the idea that where we are heavily influences who we can … As some other reviews have noted, switching the words "Architecture" and "Happiness" in the title gives a better picture of what this book is about. Amazon.in - Buy The Architecture of Happiness book online at best prices in India on Amazon.in. When De Botton speaks of happiness, what he's really talking about is beauty, a descriptor that has kept a stigma in … As an eclectic free association it had some charming and interesting moments. Finding room to appreciate both classical and contemporary architecture, de Botton resolves the quarrel between the ancients and the moderns by suggesting that every architecture strives to provide the conditions for happiness. Great buildings, he says, “speak of visions of happiness.” This claim is bolder than it sounds. He asks questions like the meaning and value of beauty, how buildings talk, the moral messages behind design and how architecture “renders vivid to us who we might ideally be”. A fascinating dissection of architecture and human nature. Alain De Botton. The psychology of "talking buildings" was light hearted and a little far fetched for me at times. For that reason, it will forever hold a special place on my bookshelves. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published The title is misleading, suggesting the book is about the structure of happiness. The writing style will likely put many readers off, as the vocabulary choices are about as ornate as the 18th-century British decorations for which the author ha. De Botton delves into the how we relate to objects, why one. It requires that we open ourselves to the idea that we are affected by our surroundings even when they are made of vinyl and would be expensive and time-consuming to ameliorate. My prob. The ideas presented in this book are substantiated with plenty of real life proof, from Le Corbusier's mishaps to Frank Gehry's playful escapes. Too many books on that topic are clotted attempts at philosophy that read as if they’d been mistranslated from the German. This book was a gift from my fiancee and, in fact, one of the first books he gave me. De Botton delves into the how we relate to objects, why one object draws us in, another repels us. It's a thought-provoking exploration of the philosophy of architecture, how our manmade surroundings and shelters can evoke--or fail to uphold--our ideals. An enthusiast is, I think, the perfect guide to an interesting subject of which we know little. The writing style will likely put many readers off, as the vocabulary choices are about as ornate as the 18th-century British decorations for which the author has a fondness, but the concepts are meaningful and there's a lot of humor (in particular, a snide observation of a gang of teenagers in a McDonald's made me grin when I recognized the sarcasm). Welcome back. This book was a revelation to me. The author does not discuss anything new, he just puts it all very well together, chose excellent illustrations to make his points. I highly encourage reading of this short tome and studying the pictures for any who can sit in a comfortable chair. 21 Reviews. Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2020, This is not a review about the context of this book, which I’m sure is great and inspiring. After tackling such diverse topics as Proust, status and love, Alain de Botton has turned his erudite eye to architecture in his new book The Architecture of Happiness. where?) We give buildings and sculptures personalities then judge them based on these projected human traits. See all 4 questions about The Architecture of Happiness…, Global Citizenship: Health, Wellness, and the Pursuit of Happiness, July Discussion: Architecture of Happiness. If you love any type of architecture that speaks to you when you see it, walk around within it or simply would like to be inspired by the way this unique philosophy personifies a home or cherished space designed with purpose, you will enjoy this book. Or they’re sales jobs, plugging some single architect or point of … Read more Most amusing was Viscount Bangor and Lady Anne Bligh's Castle Ward. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. In The Architecture of Happiness there are no revolutionary notions but it opens the mind and the senses for beauty on several levels. Select Page. The Architecture of Happiness starts from the idea that where … Read more Book Reviews The Architecture of Happiness by Alain De Botton ISBN: 978-0307277244 Publisher: Vintage Pages: 288 I have a long running interest in architecture. I picked this for the topic, but now I want to read more by him because I enjoyed the writing and thinking so much. To see what your friends thought of this book. My problem was that I had to keep forcing myself to read this book. The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton 280pp, Hamish Hamilton, £17.99. Book Review: The Architecture of Happiness. In the Art Of Happiness summary, the Dalai Lama shares his wisdom about how to achieve lasting happiness. Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside See all articles by this author. As he did with Proust, philosophy, and travel, now he does with architecture. I enjoyed the author's compare and contrast method in discussing various architectural styles. I read the book because of my interest in beauty, form and function. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Architecture of Happiness at Amazon.com. Negotiated to end a marital dispute on style, the Castle displays a Classic front and Gothic rear. A Alain de Botton is a brave and highly intelligent writer who writes about complex subjects, clarifying the arcane for the layman. My favorite parts were the philosophizing about the nature of beauty. A city that at every turn subtly reminded people of the divine reality would in turn help them gravitate towards the divine in their actions and beliefs. I found the answer in this elegant phrase: "An ugly room can coagulate any loose suspicions as to the incompleteness of life, while a sun-lit one set with honey-coloured limestone tiles can lend support to whatever is most hopeful within us." Finding room to appreciate both classical and contemporary architecture, de Botton resolves the quarrel between the ancients and the moderns by suggesting that every architecture strives to provide the conditions for happiness. that good architecture is purely functional and anything else is simply the expression of an its designer's overactive ego. Being a real life embodiment of Tom Hansen, I thought I would give this book a try. A nod to my brother for introducing this book to me. Humanity would be well served if it became a standard text. One of the best books I have read. I don't think my tastes align well with the author's (when he presents images of two bridges and writes about how evident it is that one is beautiful while the other is not, I find that I personally prefer the one he disfavors), but his work does a good job of exploring how a person's background (or even a culture's background) informs what architectural styles will be pleasing. Read part of this for an architecture class back in 2015 and just now got around to reading the whole thing. “It is perhaps when our lives are at their most problematic that we are likely to be most receptive to … Lea reseñas de productos sinceras e imparciales de nuestros usuarios. the architecture of happiness by Alain de Botton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 3, 2006 Graceful disquisition on the significance of architecture, by a novelist and essayist whose eclectic interests range from How Proust Can Change Your Life (1997) to Status Anxiety (2004). This began really promisingly with some wonderfully evocative language personifying buildings and architecture in a playful way. (500) Days of Summer is one of my favorite movies. Using a bit of history, a bit of pop psychology and a lot of his own opinions, this book talks about how and why buildings make us feel the way we do. The Achitecture of Happiness is a dazzling and generously illustrated journey through the philosophy and psychology of architecture and the indelible connection between our identities and our locations.One of the great but often unmentioned causes of both happiness and misery is the quality of our environment: the kinds of walls, chairs, buildings, and streets that surround us. I f. This book was a gift from my fiancee and, in fact, one of the first books he gave me. De Botton writes in a literary style with beautiful metaphors and analogies, and makes this book more than just a dry description of architectural styles. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2017. Mostly, de Botton traces a path along various historical and geographical areas of development in architecture, and he draws out what makes a structure beautiful and emotionally satisfying. The Architecture of Happiness starts from the idea that where we are heavily influences who we And yet a concern for architecture and design is too often described as frivolous, even self-indulgent. By that I don't mean that "he did all right for an amateur and a dilletante;" rather I mean that De Botton has written one of the best books of architectural criticism in recent memory, period. If you have done the same thing, or are looking to bump into more people on your next trip, you'll really enjoy this book. As some other reviews have noted, switching the words "Architecture" and "Happiness" in the title gives a better picture of what this book is about. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Comics. One of the great, but often unmentioned, causes of both happiness and misery is the quality of our environment: the kind of walls, chairs, buildings and streets we’re surrounded by. So radical was it that even professionals had difficulty, for a time, distinguishing between engineering and architecture. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. "What works of design and architecture talk to us about is the kind of life that would most appropriately unfold within and around them. The Architecture of Happiness is a lyrical discourse on the value and influences of architecture through the eyes of a non-architect. the same way again. The Achitecture of Happiness is a dazzling and generously illustrated journey through the philosophy and psychology of architecture and the indelible connection between our identities and our locations.One of the great but often unmentioned causes of both happiness and misery is the quality of our environment: the kinds of walls, chairs, buildings, and streets that surround us. I enjoyed the book overall however; I felt as though it was a bit of an architectural history review and didn't fully delve into the ties between psychology and architecture. This is a book I will need to read many many times, which it allows thankfully. Pursuing Happiness: The Architecture of Sustainable Change. Romance/Erotica. Alain de Botton is one such docent and The Architecture of Happiness is a delightful overview of the eponymous subject. It starts off with pessimistic, albeit realistic views of architecture and its limits. Looking forward to thinking on this book further and returning to it again down the road. It was impossible for me to watch the movie and not be curious as to why he was reading it and why he enjoyed it so much that he felt the need to give it to Summer. 'The Architecture of Happiness' The architecture and sense of style around us can change affect moods and explain something about ourselves. And yet a concern for architecture and design is too often described as frivolous, even self-indulgent. However, surprisingly Read The Architecture of Happiness book reviews & author details and more at Amazon.in. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, See all details for The Architecture of Happiness, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Thanks! Reviews. Pursuing Happiness: The Architecture of Sustainable Change Sonja Lyubomirsky, Kennon M. Sheldon, and David Schkade Review of General Psychology 2005 9 : 2 , 111-131 “The Architecture of Happiness” is the latest installment in Mr. de Botton’s continuing philosophical pub crawl. As he did with Proust, philosophy, and travel, now he does with architecture. The Architecture of Happiness—Book Review. Learn 3 major lessons now. As Nasr described, these cities and their component parts were designed with the explicit belief that a person's external environment strongly influenced their internal state. The Architecture of Happiness is organized as a sequence of ideas which eventually build into a recipe for reading our built environment. Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2020. The author considers all styles worthwhile and seeks out the best within them. There's a problem loading this menu right now. The psychology of "talking buildings" was light hearted and a little far fetched for me at times. where?) Where we live, where we are, what we are surrounded by, is not materialistic, but realistic. Surely architects are guilty of erecting bombastic works, but it by no means explains why the line of a rooftop or curve of a banister stirs a particular mood and emotion in its viewer. This is my 4th copy. I will never look at Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Psychology, etc. “The Architecture of Happiness” is the latest installment in Mr. de Botton’s continuing philosophical pub crawl. Sonja Lyubomirsky. They tell us of certain moods that they seek to encourage and sustain in their inhabitants." Only to feel a wee bit disappointed when his sermon had ended. Also, the book is filled with photographs to illustrate de Botton's ideas. Well written, he always explains himself with clarity and eloquence, yet in a language that is easily understood. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Architecture of Happiness (Vintage International) at Amazon.co.jp. With this entertaining and stimulating book, de Botton (How Proust Can Change Your Life ) examines the ways architecture speaks to us, evoking associations that, He can be contacted by email directly via, “It is in books, poems, paintings which often give us the confidence to take seriously feelings in ourselves that we might otherwise never have thought to acknowledge.”, “What we seek, at the deepest level, is inwardly to resemble, rather than physically to possess, the objects and places that touch us through their beauty.”. (72), Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2007. The Architecture of Happiness Four reviewers comment on philosopher Alain De Botton's book called The Architecture of Happiness. Pursuing Happiness: The Architecture of Sustainable Change Sonja Lyubomirsky, Kennon M. Sheldon, and David Schkade Review of General Psychology 2005 9 : 2 , 111-131 De Botton, inspired by Stendhal's motto "beauty is the promise of happiness," analyzes human surroundings and how human needs and desires manifest their ideals in architecture.. The book was in excellent condition which was a genuine surprise as I purchased a previously owned copy. Personal Review: The Architecture of Happiness (Vintage) by Alain De Botton A beautifully written book about the role that architecture plays in uplifting or discouraging people. At the same time, it means acknowledging that buildings are able to, "Taking architecture seriously therefore makes some singular and strenuous demands upon us. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for The Architecture of Happiness at Amazon.com. This book isn't a technical treatise on what makes "good" architecture, but instead talks about how architecture reflects who we are, how we feel about our lives, and how architecture can make us feel. 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