Evolutionary Architecture: Nature as a Basis for Design [Hardcover]

Eugene Tsui (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0471117269 | ISBN-13: 978-0471117261 | Edition: 1

About Eugene Tsui and evolutionary architecture . "Eugene Tsui is a polymath, a kind of genius.. His evolutionary ideas fit my image of a desirable, feasible future. The 21st century needs ideas like his that conserve space, energy, and materials without offending aesthetics." -Dr. Richard MeierProfessor of Architecture, Planning, and Environmental Design University of California, Berkeley "[Tsui's] drawings, models, and buildings look like buildings from a Spielberg film, circa 3000.. Eugene Tsui's designs defy the imagination. He is bringing a different view to architecture." -Rocky Leplin The Associated Press "Welcome to the evolutionary architecture of Eugene Tsui.a place where everything is possible, and the mind is constantly being tested and stimulated to open and explore yet another new opportunity.. Tsui's philosophy of architectural design goes against practically everything people have come to know about architecture." -Beverly R. Picache Asian Week Newspaper

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Evolutionary Architecture Nature as a Basis for Design Eugene Tsui Looking to nature as the source of some of the strongest and most efficient structural forms known to mankind, Eugene Tsui's evolutionary architecture offers stunningly original alternatives to the uninspired cut-and-butt, post-and-beam constructions that dominate our architectural landscape today. This extraordinary book uncovers the guiding principles behind Tsui's evolutionary approach to explore the many design lessons that can be learned from nature and share the impressive results of their application to architectural projects. Examining nature's forms, materials, and structures from an architectural and scientific perspective, Tsui provides an exciting glimpse of the world through his eyes, a fantastic world in which termite towers, bird's nests, fish bubble homes, and common snail shells are just some of nature's creations that harbor a hidden universe of design possibilities and problem-solving ideas. With compelling flare and conviction, Tsui shows how his evolutionary architecture comes to life in projects that range from a residential remodel featuring hinged dragonfly roof ventilation wings to a two-mile city based on a termite's nest with spiderweb-like, crisscrossing steel cables. More than 300 photographs of natural structures and Tsui's most intriguing projects bear witness to the sheer power and scope of his conceptual and design invention. Combining strikingly imaginative designs with practical lessons from a truly visionary architect, Evolutionary Architecture is a fresh and captivating idea resource for anyone interested in environmentally-influenced design and break-out-of-thebox architectural thinking.

From the Back Cover

About Eugene Tsui and evolutionary architecture . "Eugene Tsui is a polymath, a kind of genius.. His evolutionary ideas fit my image of a desirable, feasible future. The 21st century needs ideas like his that conserve space, energy, and materials without offending aesthetics." -Dr. Richard MeierProfessor of Architecture, Planning, and Environmental Design University of California, Berkeley "[Tsui's] drawings, models, and buildings look like buildings from a Spielberg film, circa 3000.. Eugene Tsui's designs defy the imagination. He is bringing a different view to architecture." -Rocky Leplin The Associated Press "Welcome to the evolutionary architecture of Eugene Tsui.a place where everything is possible, and the mind is constantly being tested and stimulated to open and explore yet another new opportunity.. Tsui's philosophy of architectural design goes against practically everything people have come to know about architecture." -Beverly R. Picache Asian Week Newspaper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471117269
• ISBN-13: 978-0471117261
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,345,334 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, insightful, inspiring., August 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Evolutionary Architecture: Nature as a Basis for Design (Hardcover)

Eugene Tsui has added another gospel to his bible for evolutionary architecture. What can't be captured in merely addressing his architecture is the clarity, force and intelligence of his writing. In addition to being one of the few architects who can write coherently, Eugene Tsui has a unique, compelling presence felt throughout the book. When finished, I felt braced, urged on and encouraged in my own life pursuits. This book is worth every cent of its price, and is priceless for its spiritual value.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Revolutionary ideas behind architecture, May 19, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evolutionary Architecture: Nature as a Basis for Design (Hardcover)

This book is a must have for anyone interested in reinventing their view of how humans can build and design. Includes a detailed analysis of Eugene Tsui's Philosophy of studying nature to help us architect our environments and housing. Showing many re-world examples in nature where animals and creatures create amazingly responsive architecture. The book then takes these principles and shows how this can be translated into helping architects become more innovative both aesthetically and technically. Eugene trancends the typical and primarily aesthetic ideas of Frank Lloyd Wright and other "Organic Architects" showing how nature can help guide us to build more ecologically advanced architecture that is more responsive to the new millinium.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book by an architect destined to become renown, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Evolutionary Architecture: Nature as a Basis for Design (Hardcover)

Eugen Tsui is a visionary who sees in the natural world forms and functions that can be used by man in his created environments to the benefit of mind, spirit, ecology and wallet. Innovative and unorthodox building methods and materials; making the most of the vast sea of unapplied knowledge overlooked by most architects is his specialty. Tsui ia a genius who is unlikely to be fully appreciated by his own era. In this book Tsui explains his ideology and presents visuals to stun the mind out of its "stick-built" suburban tract house rut.