If Walls Could Speak
My Life in Architecture
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Grove Press / Atlantic Monthly Press
Published:6th Oct '22
Should be back in stock very soon
Renowned architect Moshe Safdie reflects on his career and the profound impact of architecture in If Walls Could Speak, offering insights into design and community.
In If Walls Could Speak, renowned architect Moshe Safdie shares his remarkable journey through the world of architecture, detailing the iconic structures he has designed over more than five decades. From the groundbreaking Habitat in Montreal to the stunning Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Safdie's work reflects his belief in architecture as a vital social force. He emphasizes that the design of a space must prioritize functionality while addressing pressing societal challenges such as population density and environmental issues.
Safdie invites readers into the intricate world of architectural creation, explaining the thought processes and methodologies that guide his work. The book offers a unique insight into how an architect conceptualizes a project, from the initial spark of creativity to the practicalities of design, engineering, and construction. Through personal anecdotes and reflections on his diverse experiences, Safdie illustrates the profound connection between architecture and the human experience.
Illustrated with a rich array of drawings, sketches, and photographs, If Walls Could Speak not only showcases Safdie's impressive portfolio but also serves as a manifesto for the role of architecture in society. It encourages readers to reconsider their perceptions of built environments, revealing how thoughtful design can uplift communities and enhance the human spirit. This book is a compelling exploration of architecture's potential to shape our world for the better.
What are the deep personal sources of creativity? How is it possible for someone to take the conventional built environment and make it new? A visionary book, If Walls Could Speak triumphantly answers these questionsby giving us intimate access to the life and mind of one of the greatest architects of our time. -- Stephen Greenblatt, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of THE SWERVE
The world knows Moshe Safdie as an international architect of the greatest modern buildings. With this compelling memoir Moshe Safdie will now be known as a beautiful writer who conveys - with elegance and understanding - what it takes to create a building while telling the story of a long and fascinating life the reader is privileged to share. -- Ruth Rogers
If Walls Could Speak is not just about architecture; it is about a man in search of beauty, truth, and service to people through examining "nature, the nature of the universe, and the nature of man." In his autobiography, Moshe Safdie succeeds in making the walls speak, revealing not only the depth, curiosity and drive of a man with a mission, but also the challenges he faced creating extraordinary work for over six decades. Perhaps he says it best: "If we seek truth, we shall find beauty." I was profoundly moved reading this book. -- Yo Yo Ma
Moshe Safdie makes beautiful and important buildings. He makes buildings that infuse into your day and life a sense that bigger things might suddenly be possible. He makes buildings that you will never, ever forget. What is remarkable about If Walls Could Speak is that Safdie's memoir is as unforgettable as anything he has produced out of stone, cement and steel. Because of his storytelling gifts, it is also a coming-of-age story in which one man developed a vision for how he could do his part to improve the experience of living -- Samantha Power, former United Nations ambassador and bestselling author of THE EDUCATION OF AN IDEALIST
[A] marvelous look at his life and career...In prose unburdened by pretension, Safdie articulates his artistic philosophy against the backdrop of a changing world...A brilliant defense of architecture as an expression of truth and beauty. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *
ISBN: 9781611856576
Dimensions: 243mm x 164mm x 32mm
Weight: 725g
360 pages
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