A highly original view of the relationship between architecture and the biological sciences. We humans owe an immense architectural debt to many other species. Indeed, the first hexagons humans saw may have been in honeycombs, the first skyscrapers termitaries (termite high-rises), and the first tents those of African weaver ants. In The Monumental Impulse, art historian George Hersey investigates many ties between the biological sciences and the building arts. Natural building materials such as wood and limestone, for example, originate in biological processes. Much architectural ornament borrows from botany and zoology. Hersey draws striking analogies between building types and animal species. He examines the relationship between physical structures and living organisms, from bridges to mosques, from molecules to mammals. Insects, mollusks, and birds are given separate chapters, and three final chapters focus on architectural form and biological reproduction. Hersey also discusses architecture in connection with the body's interior processes and shows how buildings may be said to reproduce, adapt, and evolve, like other inanimate or "nonbiotic" entities such as computer programs and robots. The book is both learned and entertaining, and is abundantly illustrated with fascinating visual comparisons.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
George Hersey is Emeritus Professor of Art History at Yale University. He is the author of numerous books, including The Evolution of Allure: Sexual Selection from the Medici Venus to the Incredible Hulk (MIT Press, 1996) and The Lost Meaning of Classical Architecture: Speculations on Ornament from Vitruvius to Venturi (MIT Press, 1988).
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. crisp clean w/light shelfwear/edgewear - NICE! - may have remainder mark Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # 0262582031-01
Seller: Budget Books, Pasadena, CA, U.S.A.
Soft cover. Condition: As New. Remainder mark. Ships from California. Seller Inventory # 8016
Seller: Daedalus Books, Portland, OR, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Fine. Illustrated by B & W Illustrations & Photographs (illustrator). First Paperback Edition. In print for 27.95.; 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 551338c
Seller: Hennessey + Ingalls, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
Trade Paperback. Condition: Used - Very Good. We humans owe an immense architectural debt to many other species.Indeed, the first hexagons humans saw may have been in honeycombs, the firstskyscrapers termitaries (termite high-rises), and the first tents those of Africanweaver ants. In The Monumental Impulse, art historian George Hersey investigatesmany ties between the biological sciences and the building arts. Natural buildingmaterials such as wood and limestone, for example, originate in biologicalprocesses. Much architectural ornament borrows from botany and zoology. Hersey drawsstriking analogies between building types and animal species. He examines therelationship between physical structures and living organisms, from bridges tomosques, from molecules to mammals.Insects, mollusks, and birds are given separatechapters, and three final chapters focus on architectural form and biologicalreproduction. Hersey also discusses architecture in connection with the body'sinterior processes and shows how buildings may be said to reproduce, adapt, andevolve, like other inanimate or 'nonbiotic' entities such as computer programs androbots. The book is both learned and entertaining, and is abundantly illustratedwith fascinating visual comparisons. Art historian George Hersey investigates the many ties between the biological sciences and the building arts. Very nice clean, tight copy free of any marks. Seller Inventory # 331888
Seller: Bellwetherbooks, McKeesport, PA, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # IN-mon0000034434
Seller: Anybook.com, Lincoln, United Kingdom
Condition: Good. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. In good all round condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,650grams, ISBN:9780262582032. Seller Inventory # 4931466
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GridFreed, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Seller Inventory # 68-00079
Seller: Romtrade Corp., STERLING HEIGHTS, MI, U.S.A.
Condition: New. This is a Brand-new US Edition. This Item may be shipped from US or any other country as we have multiple locations worldwide. Seller Inventory # ABBB-109559
Seller: Majestic Books, Hounslow, United Kingdom
Condition: Used. pp. 280. Seller Inventory # 5778579
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Books Puddle, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Condition: Used. pp. 280 1st Edition. Seller Inventory # 263117900