''The Shape of Green: Aesthetics, Ecology, and Design'' is a 2012 non-fiction book by the American architect

Lance Hosey Lance Hosey (September 11, 1964 - August 27, 2021) was an American architect. In 2020, he joined HMC Architects, a large California-based firm, as the design industry's first Chief Impact Officer. Previously, he was a principal, design director ...

. The first book dedicated to the relationships between

sustainability Specific definitions of sustainability are difficult to agree on and have varied in the literature and over time. The concept of sustainability can be used to guide decisions at the global, national, and individual levels (e.g. sustainable livi ...

and

beauty Beauty is commonly described as a feature of objects that makes these objects pleasurable to perceive. Such objects include landscapes, sunsets, humans and works of art. Beauty, together with art and taste, is the main subject of aesthetics, o ...

, it outlines a set of principles for the aesthetics of

sustainable design Environmentally sustainable design (also called environmentally conscious design, eco-design, etc.) is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of ecological sustainability ...

. It was first published on 1 June 2012 through

Island Press Island Press is a nonprofit, environmental publisher based in Washington, D.C., United States, that specializes in natural history, ecology, conservation, and the built environment. Established in 1984, Island Press generates about half of its re ...

Synopsis

The book is a critique of conventional standards of sustainable design, which emphasize ethics or technology over

aesthetics Aesthetics, or esthetics, is a branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty and taste, as well as the philosophy of art (its own area of philosophy that comes out of aesthetics). It examines aesthetic values, often expressed thr ...

. Alternatively, Hosey argues that sustainability must include sensory engagement to promote human enjoyment, respect for places, and preservation of resources. The book offers three general principles for an aesthetics of sustainable design: * ''Conservation'': shaping things to be efficient with resources * ''Attraction'': shaping things to appeal to human desire * ''Connection'': shaping things to fit their context The book shows how these themes apply to any scale of design, including graphics, fashion design, products, buildings, and cities.

Reception

Critical reception has been positive. ''TreeHugger'' called it "important" and "significant," and ''Environmental Building News'' praised the book as "long overdue." ''Builder'' magazine wrote that ''The Shape of Green'' could "revolutionize what it means to be sustainable." John Elkington has praised it as "a passionate book" and "an inspirational guide to a future we can't wait to embrace." ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of B ...

'' also gave a favorable review: " osey'sunderlying argument—that green living doesn't have to be punishing, expensive, or boring—is a refreshing take on an old debate that fans of Malcolm Gladwell and other big thinkers will find informative and illuminating."

Honors and awards

* Listed among ''the books that all designers should read.'' (2017) * ''National Urban Design Book Award'' (2014, finalist) * ''New York Book Show Merit Award'' (2013) * ''Notable Design Books, Designers & Books'' (2012)

References

External links

*
Video of Lance Hosey's TED talk on sustainability and beauty
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shape of Green, The American non-fiction books 2012 non-fiction books Architecture books Design books Island Press books