Design Like You Give a Damn: Architectural Responses to Humanitarian Crises by Architecture for Humanity

The greatest humanitarian challenge we face today is that of providing shelter. Currently one in seven people lives in a slum or refugee camp, and more than 3,000,000,000 people--nearly half the world's population--do not have access to clean water or adequate sanitation. The physical design of our homes, neighborhoods and communities shapes every aspect of our lives. Yet too often architects are desperately needed in the places where they can least be afforded.

Edited by Architecture for Humanity and now in its third printing, Design Like You Give a Damn is a compendium of innovative projects from around the world that demonstrate the power of design to improve lives. The first book to bring the best of humanitarian architecture and design to the printed page, Design Like You Give a Damn offers a history of the movement toward socially conscious design, and showcases more than 80 contemporary solutions to such urgent needs as basic shelter, healthcare, education and access to clean water, energy and sanitation.

Design Like You Give a Damn is an indispensable resource for designers and humanitarian organizations charged with rebuilding after disaster and engaged in the search for sustainable development. It is also a call to action to anyone committed to building a better world.

Delirious New York: A Retroactive Manifesto for Manhattan by Rem Koolhaas

In this fanciful volume, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, founder of the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (O.M.A.), both analyzes and celebrates New York City. By suggesting the city as the site for an infinite variety of human activities and events--both real and imagined--the essence of the metropolitan lifestyle, its "culture of congestion" and its architecture are revealed in a brilliant new light. "Manhattan," Koolhaas writes, "is the 20th century's Rosetta stone . . . occupied by architectural mutations (Central Park, the Skyscraper), utopian fragments (Rockefeller Center, the U.N. Building), and irrational phenomena (Radio City Music Hall)." Filled with fascinating facts, as well as photographs, postcards, maps, watercolors, and drawings, the vibrancy of Koolhaas's poignant exploration of Gotham equals the heady, frenetic energy of the city itself. Anyone who loves New York will want to own this book.

A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction (Center for Environmental Structure Series)

The second of three books published by the Center for Environmental Structure to provide a "working alternative to our present ideas about architecture, building, and planning," A Pattern Language offers a practical language for building and planning based on natural considerations. The reader is given an overview of some 250 patterns that are the units of this language, each consisting of a design problem, discussion, illustration, and solution. By understanding recurrent design problems in our environment, readers can identify extant patterns in their own design projects and use these patterns to create a language of their own. Extraordinarily thorough, coherent, and accessible, this book has become a bible for homebuilders, contractors, and developers who care about creating healthy, high-level design.

The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs

"Streets in cities serve many purposes besides carrying vehicles, and city sidewalks-the pedestrian parts of the streets-serve many purposes besides carrying pedestrians..."

Review
"The most refreshing, provacative, stimulating and exciting study of this [great problem] which I have seen. It fairly crackles with bright honesty and common sense."
--Harrison Salisbury, "The New York Times"
"One of the most remarkable books ever written about the city... a "primary" work. The research apparatus is not pretentious--it is the eye and the heart--but it has given us a magnificent study of what gives life and spirit to the city."
--William H. Whyte, author of "The Organization Man"

J C Moughtin, Peter Shirley ”Urban Design: Green Dimensions, Second Edition”

In Green Dimensions, Cliff Moughtin relates sustainable development and green design to the realm of urban design and development. Examining regional and local frameworks for design and planning, this book shows how sustainable urban design can be implemented on every scale. Working from a strong theoretical base, the author uses case studies and discusses policy developments, in order to challenge the conventional wisdom on sustainable design. The book provides a rounded discussion of the application and suitability of current practice, and predicts future design needs. Updating the reader on topics such as energy efficiency, sustainable city forms and the culture of new urbanism, this completely revised and restructured second edition also includes brand new chapters on the Urban Park and Bio-diversity. · Sets sustainable urban design in a regional and political context, providing real life attainable guidance · Provides inspiration for planners worldwide through international examples and case studies · Includes latest hot topics in sustainability to give your designs the cutting edge



Review

'This book is a serious and valuable exploration of green design in urban settings.' Perspectives 'Students should benefit from the imaginative layout and readability which lay down the key principles for the further development of environmental issues.' MJ Culus, Library Advisor, Swansea Institute of Higher Education

'This book is a serious and valuable exploration of green design in urban settings.'
Perspectives

'Students should benefit from the imaginative layout and readability which lay down the key principles for the further development of environmental issues.'
MJ Culus, Library Advisor, Swansea Institute of Higher Education -- Review

'This book is a serious and valuable exploration of green design in urban settings.'
Perspectives

'Students should benefit from the imaginative layout and readability which lay down the key principles for the further development of environmental issues.'
MJ Culus, Library Advisor, Swansea Institute of Higher Education