Steen Eiler Ramussen

Experiencing Architecture

Steen Eiler Rasmussen

Profusely illustrated with fine instances of architectural experimentation throughthe centuries, Experiencing Architecture manages to convey the intellectual excitement of superbdesign. From teacups, riding boots, golf balls, and underwater sculpture to the villas of Palladioand the fish-feeding pavilion of the Peking Winter Palace, the author ranges over the less-familiarbyways of designing excellence.At one time, writes Rasmussen, "the entire community tool part informing the dwellings and implements they used. The individual was in fruitful contact with thesethings; the anonymous houses were built with a natural feeling for place, materials and use and theresult was a remarkably suitable comeliness. Today, in our highly civilized society, the houseswhich ordinary people are doomed to live in and gaze upon are on the whole without quality. Wecannot, however, go back to the old method of personally supervised handicrafts. We must strive toadvance by arousing interest in and understanding of the work the architect does. The basis ofcompetent professionalism is a sympathetic and knowledgeable group of amateurs, of non-professionalart lovers."

Experiencing Architecture

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