INTERSECTIONS OF NATURE, IMAGINATION and ARCHITECTURE
Friday, February 20, 2009
Hands
Hands link imagination to nature. The mind's designs would never be expressed without hands to shape stones, trees and other forms of nature into architecture and objects. Unless you are reading this in a completely wild place, every object in your surroundings was crafted, carried and placed by human hands. Look at all the things that are sized to fit the human hand—the keyboard I type upon, doorknobs, pens, drinking glasses, forks, spoons, wallets, toothbrushes, keys, musical instruments, tools for every type of work. Hands shaped every city you've ever visited, every article of clothing you've ever worn and every meal you've ever eaten. They've done this through their amazing ability to respond to the creative impulses coursing through the brain to the environment. Spend a day noticing the role hands, yours and others', play in shaping your world and you will discover of universe of creation.
I'm an architect and author, writing this blog to explore the following questions—How do we live well on this planet? Confronted with the greed, ignorance and fear shaping much of the world, how can we find openings to dwelling here with wisdom, connection, creativity and delight? Looking into these questions reflects my passion for understanding how our thoughts and actions shape buildings and cities. My two books—THE TEMPLE IN THE HOUSE and A HOME FOR THE SOUL—examine the idea of design as a language of human experience. This blog expands these connections to explore how imagination influences what we build in nature. In turn, it looks into ways nature can open our imaginations to more inspiring, sustainable and creative ways of dwelling here now. Let me know what you think.
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