Places of the Soul: Architecture and Environmental Design as a Healing Art [Paperback]

Christopher Day (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0750659017 | ISBN-13: 978-0750659017 | Publication Date: December 1, 2003 | Edition: 2

Revised to incorporate the changes in opinions and attitudes since its first publication, the second edition of 'Places of the Soul' has brought Christopher Day's classic text into the 21st century.


This new edition of the seminal text reminds us that true sustainable design does not simply mean energy efficient building. Sustainable buildings must provide for the 'soul'. For Christopher Day architecture is not just about a building's appearance, but how the building is experienced. 'Places of the Soul' presents buildings as environment, intrinsic to their surroundings, and offers design principles that will open the eyes of the architecture student and professional alike, presenting ideas quite different to the orthodoxy of modern architectural education.

Christopher Day's experience as an architect, self-builder, professor and sculptor have all added to the development of his ideas that encompass issues of economic and social sustainability, commercial pressures and consensus design. This book presents these ideas and outlines universal principles that will be of interest and value to architects, builders, planners and developers alike.

* Author is leading authority in this field and has a throng of devoted admirers
* 1st edition is considered a classic in the industry and it has been renewed for the 21st century
* Sustainability and environmental design is one of the key areas of interest and study for architects today

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...one of the seminal architecture books of recent times."
- Professor Tom Wooley, Architects Journal

"This gentle book offers a route out of the nightmare of so much callous modern construction. I was inspired."
- Colin Amery, The Financial Times.

"The 'bible' of many architects and those interested in architecture."
- Centre for Alternative Technology.

"...an inspiration to all those who care about the influence of the environment on Man's health and well-being."
- The Scientific and Medical Network

"A wonderful, ground-breaking book."
- Permaculture Magazine

"If this book was set to music, it would be an "ultimate chill-out" album. From start to finish Christopher Day's seminal work "Places of the Soul" is a haven of tranquility, warmth and rationality. First written in 1988, but now thoroughly revised, his flowing style and inviting, curvaceous line illustrations quickly begin to caress your soul to such a degree that you feel you'll never draw a straight line again!"
- Get Sust!

"Are you looking for a book that recognizes the need for designing buildings to meet lofty sustainability goals, but that also places human needs on an equal or superior plane? Do you look at new mechanistic buildings of steel, titanium and low-e glass and wonder how it's possible to feel inspired, or even comfortable, when you're in them? If you answer yes to these questions, then perhaps you would benefit from reading the second edition of Christopher Day's book, Places of the Soul, Architecture and Environmental Design as a Healing Art. Places of the Soul is an excellent primer for students of architecture seeking a balance between design for sustainability and for human needs, between a mass-produced machine aesthetic and one that includes hand-craftsmanship, and between sterile mind-numbing sameness and invigorating variety."
- Thomas L. McKittrick, Professor Emeritus, Architecture, Texas A&M University

"The book concludes with a strong discussion of ideas for planning urban environments while promoting economic vitality and sense of community that will be appealing to those interested in urban planning and revitalization.
The book's photos and the discussion of interior space décor will appeal to those favoring a rustic and timeless aesthetic."
- Environments

"The book presents a critical analysis of the form and function of modern construction by shifting standard planning and design methods to those more socially and environmentally sustainable and (most importantly) people-centered."
- Gregory Rose, Geography & Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Book Description

A seminal book in the field of sustainable architecture with over 30,000 copies of 1st Edition sold

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 309 pages
• Publisher: Architectural Press; 2 edition (December 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750659017
• ISBN-13: 978-0750659017
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #603,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an insightful, moving and inspiring book., August 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Places of the Soul: Architecture and Environmental Design as a Healing Art (Paperback)

Mr.Day's philosophies about architecture is inspiring. You go through each day being influenced by your surroundings, but never realizing how or why you sometimes feel as you do (good or bad). A good heathly location with a structure that evolves from the ground up, in harmony with it's surroundings, can only bring harmony and balance to your inner being. I can't imagine not being aware of these things before, but now that I have read Mr. Day's book I will never look at architecture design in the same way. The overall influence of the book is very powerful, as a matter of fact so powerful we have contact Mr. Day to design our new house in the Sonoran Desert.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful examination of spirit in design, August 2, 2000

By 

Zenbob (Woodstock, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Places of the Soul: Architecture and Environmental Design as a Healing Art (Paperback)

PLACES OF THE SOUL is a very satisfying, powerful look at how the architectural environment makes an impact health, thought, and especially spirit. Mr. Day's writing is beautiful, drawing the reader through ideas of space, light, structure, environment, location and intention. Reading it was both inspiring and informative. An elegant book about an important subject.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buildings really do harm or heal us: Here's the how and why., October 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Places of the Soul: Architecture and Environmental Design as a Healing Art (Paperback)

Chrisopher Day's "Places of the Soul" is an eye-opening examination
of why and how buildings impact our health, our productivity, our
moods, and even our spirits. Written both to architects and
non-architects, he speaks in plain English to bring many different
aspects of the built environment to our awareness.

Books like this tend to be pedantic, possessing a narrow aesthetic
(i.e. the author's). However, Day, while admitting his biases, is more
focused on how to enrich the world we live in now, whether with the
softening textures of sensitive landscaping or the appropriate use of
harder angles when the mood these conjure is necessary.

If you are thinking about building or remodeling, and/or want to
understand more about your built surroundings, this book is certain
to challenge your viewpoint, and leave you with a few ideas of your
own about how you can relate consciously, sensitively, and
responsibly to your present environment.