Earth to Spirit. In Search of Natural Architecture [Paperback]

David Pearson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1995

From the author of The Natural House Book comes a provocative volume for anyone interested in design, designing or building which integrates the lessons of the past with today's technology to create structures where the land, the home, and the spirit coexist harmoniously. 146 color photos. 18 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Continuing in the tradition of Pearson's best-selling The Natural House Book (LJ 11/15/89), this New Age approach to eco-architecture touts a variety of "environmentally clean" and "spiritually healthy" buildings from around the world and through the centuries. Beginning, predictably, with a somewhat random discussion of ancient models deemed environmentally correct, Pearson, a London-based architect, guides the reader through a miscellany of organic styles ranging from Frank Lloyd Wright and Rudolf Steiner to the works of contemporary counterparts. While a valuable and at times inspiring overview of the emerging trend of vernacular architecture as pharmacon, the book's cursory and desultory approach exasperates. A brief bibliography and an 18-term glossary complete this rather disappointing work. Too scant to be of academic interest, this may be useful as a source of inspiration in popular collections.
Russell T. Clement, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 159 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811807312
• ISBN-13: 978-0811807319
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #512,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Harmony of nature and Technology, October 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Earth to Spirit: In Search of Natural Architecture (Hardcover)

Earth to spirit explores classic habitats from all corners of the world, and introduces us to the basic, and common shelter needs of us all. Although the book concentrates more on rural, and ethnic dwellings, Pearson also shows the adaptations relevant to Western cosmoploitan life. To often an author is either "high tech" or "green". In Earth to Spirit, we see how it is possible to live in an ecologically sound dwelling, while maintaining and incorporating the modern technologies prevelant in modern homes.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful illustrations, wonderful philosophy, February 16, 2002

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Earth to Spirit. In Search of Natural Architecture (Paperback)

The author finds examples from all over the world and from traditional as well as modern sources in his quest to define and encourage architecture that is in harmony with nature. Chapters include: Ancestral Archetypes, Healing Architecture, Harmony with the Land, Vernacular Wisdom, Cultural Identity, and Living the Dream, the last being examples of individuals and organizations using the principles espoused by the author. There is some text, but what truly persuades are the many beautiful photographs, well chosen and accompanied by informative paragraphs.

Viewing these marvelous examples of harmonious architecture, one can be disheartened at the ugliness and mediocrity of so much architecture surrounding us. But the book also teaches us to look in many places, old and new, near and far, to find examples of creative blendings of nature and humanity.

A lovely, inspiring book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A taste., May 1, 2003

By 

Scott Knudsen (Air Ronge, Saskatchewan Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Earth to Spirit: In Search of Natural Architecture (Hardcover)

This book gives you a taste of environmentally friendly architecture from all over the world. Learn about the new earth friendly technology and rediscover old but superior ways of building. It feels like I am reading a few of my other books all put together in one but with some stuff left out. Could use some more photo's but other wise it was a nice educational read.