Many people have certain beliefs about the nature of "architecture". Some people think it's buildings. Some people think it's the character of a city or neighborhood. Some people think it's about the structure of back end computer programming.
In reality, "architecture" is space, as revealed to a person's senses through light. This tiny book by one of Finland's premier architects, covers just that topic.
In America, a person can be sued for calling themselves an architect when they haven't completed their licensing, and that reason alone causes the folks in the building world great consternation when hearing database admins throwing the term around casually.
This book is finally in a third printing. It consists of a series of essays covering different aspects of space and senses and how the two can interact. When it was first printed, every single copy was scooped up rather quickly, and the same can be said for the second edition. They became so scarce that copies ran for hundreds of dollars.
I know that side of it because my wife, the Missus Gonzo, has passed five of seven architectural licensing exams, and I've been around for the vast majority of her schooling. I'm the book guy, and she's the building girl, and I've been chasing this book for years.
It wasn't until this past Decemberween that I stumbled across it for sale, a third edition having been printed in the Uk. The book's dimensions are slight, eight inches by four, and not even 130 pages, the last 25 of which are bibliographical notes. It touches on many topics: a public square in rural Finland; Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier; hill towns in southern Spain; Sartre, Plato, and Kearney...
When I saw it, brand new and reasonably priced, I knew it would make a great little gift.
For anyone interested in philosophy and space and how we experience the world, this little book is important.
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