Let's meet and discuss The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton

Hello and welcome!

For our very first addition of Place, Space and Design bookclub (psd-bookclub?) I propose we read and discuss 'The Architecture of Happiness' by Alain de Botton. “Bad architecture is in the end as much a failure of psychology as of design. It is an example expressed through materials of the same tendencies which in other domains will lead us to marry the wrong people, choose inappropriate jobs and book unsuccessful holidays: the tendency not to understand who we are and what will satisfy us.”
― Alain de Botton, The Architecture of Happiness

From de Botton's website:

"One of the great, but often unmentioned, causes of both happiness and misery is the quality of our environment: the kind of walls, chairs, buildings and streets we’re surrounded by.

And yet a concern for architecture and design is too often described as frivolous, even self-indulgent. The Architecture of Happiness starts from the idea that where we are heavily influences who we can be – and argues that it is architecture’s task to stand as an eloquent reminder of our full potential. Whereas many architects are wary of openly discussing the word beauty, the book has at its centre the large and naïve question: ‘What is a beautiful building?’ It amounts to a tour through the philosophy and psychology of architecture, which aims to change the way we think about our homes, streets and ourselves."

There's a couple reasons for choosing this book for our first meetup.

1. its accessible to architects and non-architects
2. there are talks by de Botton available online. (link below)
3. its been made into a 3 part mini-series titled 'the perfect home' that can be seen on youtube. (link below)
4. its widely available in Berlin at a number of libraries. (link below)
5. its only a couple hundred pages long from memory.

The meetup location will depend on how many people signup. I suggest we find a nice cosy cafe to sit and have a chat. Suggestions are very, very welcome.

Let me know if you have any other ideas.

Henry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnzL_RORG8A
http://alaindebotton.com/architecture/watch/
http://alaindebotton.com/architecture/
http://portal.kobv.de/simpleSearch.do?query=the+architecture+of+happiness&plv=2