Design for an Empathic World : Reconnecting People, Nature, and Self

"Despite an uncertain economy, the market for green building is exploding. The US green building market has expanded dramatically since 2008 and is projected to double in size by 2015 (from $42 billion in construction starts to $135 billion). But green-building pioneer Sim Van der Ryn says, "greening" our buildings is not enough. He advocates for "empathic design", in which a designer not only works in concert with nature, but with an understanding of and empathy for the end user and for ones self. It is not just one of these connections, but all three that are necessary to design for a future that is more humane, equitable, and resilient. Sim's lifelong focus has been in shifting the paradigm in architecture and design. Instead of thinking about design primarily in relation to the infrastructure we live in and with--everything from buildings to wireless routing--he advocates for a focus on the people who use and are affected by this infrastructure. Basic design must include a real understanding of human ecology or end-user preferences. Understanding ones motivations and spirituality, Sim believes, is critical to designing with empathy for natural and human communities. In Design for an Empathic World Van der Ryn shares his thoughts and experience about the design of our world today. With a focus on the strengths and weaknesses in our approach to the design of our communities, regions, and buildings he looks at promising trends and projects that demonstrate how we can help create a better world for others and ourselves. Architects, urban designers, and students of architecture will all enjoy this beautifully illustrated book drawing on a rich and revered career of a noted leader in their field. The journey described in Design for an Empathic World will help to inspire change and foster the collaboration and thoughtfulness necessary to achieve a more empathic future"- - Springer Argues for including empathy for humans and the natural world in design, exploring the strengths and weaknesses in architects' approach to the design of communities, regions, and buildings and suggesting ways to create a better world that focuses on the people who use and are affected by the infrastructure, as well as the need to reconnect design to human and natural elements Front Matter....Pages I-XXVIII Introduction....Pages 1-15 Human-Centered Design....Pages 17-46 Nature-Centered Design....Pages 47-70 Lifetime Learning Design....Pages 71-100 Opportunities for Empathic Design....Pages 101-120 Journey to the Inner Self and Outer World....Pages 121-137 Back Matter....Pages 139-161