Customer Reviews

Hundertwasser Architecture: For a More Human Architecture in Harmony With Nature

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I spent much of the 60s and 70s with posters of Hundertwasser's paintings on my walls. It was always clear that he was an architect, but one without any commissions. So when I came across this book, I was ecstatic. He's actually building! He is freeing us from the tyranny of straight lines, 90 degree angles, and an architecture divorced from nature. Some of his buildings are like something out of Willa Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!

I'd love to live in a city filled with Hundertwassers rather than the neo-prison building that passes for architecture these days. And so would others -- rents at Hundertwasser buildings in Vienna fetch a huge premium. And he is regreening cities at the same time. I can't wait to go visit!

This book is also wonderful for preteens -- it will stretch their minds about what is possible -- and give new reason to study the math and physics necessary to realize the cities of our dreams.

This book was my Christmas present to myself (I also gave it to others), and it was the best present I got! Every time I open it, I want to sing!

The ideas in this book expolore the relationship of manmade structures to nature. Hundertwasser displays many of his creative solutions to keeping green spaces while still making spaces for people to live. He addresses the human side of sustainability by forming spaces that "make the whole person vibrate" with life.

This book about this extravagant architect is a very nice edition, including beautiful images and clearly explained background information. I regret not having bought this book from Amazon, though; I purchased it in Belgium, at a much, much higher price, and still I think it was worth it. Certainly a great addition to your personal art library. Buy it and enjoy!

Hundertwasser Architecture: For a More Human Architecture in Harmony With Nature Is an amazing look at Hundertwasser's structures and ideas about structure. For builders, designers, architects who believe in building structures which flow with both their environment and their function, this book is nothing short of inspirational. Many ideas for not only building and designing from the raw ground but also for retrofitting and improving existing structures. Hundertwasser's ideas that the buildings should "belong" to the users: trees, people's interactions with the space, allowing those who inhabit the building to have a bit of control of the building so they are committed to the structure and not just passing through are all expressed here. Designers of stucco boxes could benefit from his ideas.

I fell in love with the work of Antoni Gaudi during a visit to Barcelona in the 1990's, and frankly wondered why his delightful ideas were never widely emulated. During a recent visit to the design studio of Metal Artist Brett Goldstone, Brett showed me a copy of "Hundertwasser Architecture" and I was immediately hooked! His revolutionary ideas on "human architecture" should be compulsory reading at every school of architecture and every city planning department! It's time we brought more life into our living and working environments; Hundertwasser's design and architectural concepts should at the very least be considered.

Michael Locke, Editor "The Silver Lake News"
Silver Lake Correspondent, "The Los Feliz Ledger"

I love this book. Art ilustrated books should be large and full colored, just like this one. I believe Hundertwasser's architetural interventions and creations are by far more important than his paintings. It is amazing to see the self sustaining small forest that has grown on top of the "Hundertwasser Haus" (1983-1986) and how he anticipated the green roofs. He started making green buildings in the 80's, before the concept of "green buildings" even existed.

This book it's filled with his manifestoes, speeches and his ideas. He is one of the authors of the book and I think some of the things he wrote are beautiful. It is impresive to see the before and after of the buildings he modified. Rationalism in architecture looks so dead, and the Hundertwasser buildings are literary filled with life, filled with vegetation. He even had tree tenants: trees that lived in apartments. The buildings are decorated with colorful recycled tiles, recycled lamps. It looks very surreal. He convinced so many people (including the governor of Viena)to allow him to execute his radical and ambitious proyects. The iregular asimetric desing is quite relaxing because it's not rigid. I love how every apartment looks different and it has its own personality.

The execution of his colorful utopian vision is very, very inspiring. He is influenced by Gaudi but the buildings are made with a good purpouse.