Contemporary architecture of theme-based design is examined in this book; leading to a new understanding of architectures role in the increasingly diversified consumer environment. It explores the ‘Experience Economy’ to reveal how everyday environments strategically and opportunistically blur our leisure; work; and personal life experiences.Considering scientific design research; consumer psychology; and Hollywood story-telling techniques; the book looks at how the design of theme parks; casinos; and shopping malls has influenced our more unexpectedly themed spaces; from the city to the hospital. Widely taking architecture as a social practice; this text is of relevance to all cultural and sociological studies in the built and material environment.
#3394921 in eBooks 2013-09-13 2013-09-13File Name: B00FDR4OVG
Review
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful. "I Am Always Nowhere"By John ThorndikeIrsquo;ve seen some of Noguchirsquo;s work; and Hayden Herrerarsquo;s discussions of it are enlightening. Still; my fascination is with Noguchi the man. He was clearly not the easiest person to get along with; but his tremendous drive; his insecurities; his amorous quests and intense focus all make for a great story.Imagine a boy of mixed parentage; born in the U.S.; raised partly in Japan; who sets off alone at the age of thirteen on a ship bound from Yokohama to Seattle. From there; still alone; he makes his way across the U.S. by train to a boarding school in Indiana. Early on; from a story like this; we see much of Noguchirsquo;s character: he was a traveler; he was unafraid; and he was forever torn between two cultures. Because of his mixed blood; he said; ldquo;I am always nowhere.rdquo; ldquo;When Irsquo;m in Japan; I think I should be I the United States; and when Irsquo;m there I want to be back in Japan.rdquo;This same geographic impulsemdash;ldquo;I simply can not stay in one place for a long timerdquo;mdash;also seems to have played out with his romantic liaisons. Reading about his long list of lovers; I thought of the old line; ldquo;She who flies from me; I follow; and she who follows me; I fly from.rdquo; Or; as Noguchi himself put it: ldquo;Irsquo;m nice to women who are bad for me and bad to women who are good for me.rdquo;He could be cantankerous; ungrateful and self-centeredmdash;as well as wonderfully buoyant and supportive. It all makes for a great read; in this biography of one of our countryrsquo;s most notable sculptors.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. As anticipatedBy CommunicatorReceived in perfect condition and on time.Material looks comprehensive and as I hoped although I havent dug into it in depth yet.Unable to critique fully.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. He is one of my favorite sculptors so I found it fascinating to read about ...By Laura C. HechtVery well written. Herrera very wisely frequently uses Noguchis own words. He is one of my favorite sculptors so I found it fascinating to read about his development as a man and an artist. It was immensely interesting to learn about what influenced him; the trajectory of his career and the development of and living with his Eastern/Western conflict. I highly recommend this book.