Environmental Diversity in Architecture [Paperback]

This book takes the position that the dynamic of the architectural environment is a key aspect of good design, yet one which is not well anticipated or understood. Environmental variety is a design characteristic closely related to our experience of architecture - an architecture of the senses. Each chapter demonstrates how an understanding of a particular context or environmental characteristic in dynamic terms informs design. The book is an antidote to the misconceptions of 'optimum' environmental performance or fixed criteria, instead embracing the richness of environmental variety.Part 1: Introduction  1. Environmental Diversity in Architecture  Part 2 Framework 2. Social, Architectural and Environmental Convergence  3. The Ambiguity of Intentions  4. Human Nature  5. Designing Diverse Lifetimes for Evolving Buildings  Part 3: Urban  6. Urban Diversity  7. Outdoor Comfort  8. Intermediate Environments  9. The Reverential Acoustic  Part 4: Interior 10. Environmental Diversity and Natural Lighting Strategies  11. Daylight Perception  12. Exploring Thermal Comfort and Spatial Diversity  Part 5: Design 13. Experiencing Climate: Architecture and Environmental DiversityKoen Steemers is a director of the Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies and a senior lecturer at the University of Cambridge Department of Architecture. He specialises in aspects of environmental design in architecture, has practices as an architect in the UK and Germany, and is a Director of Cambridge Architectural Research Limited. His recent publications include Energy and Environment in Architecture (2000), and Architecture City Environment (2000), The Selective Environment (2002), Daylight Design of Buildings (2002).