The Art of Building - William Morris

One of the two launch books for the series is The Art of Building, a collection of essays on architecture written by William Morris (1834-1896), showing him as an ecological designer avant la lettre. In the essays, Morris develops his philosophy of simplicity, equality and care for nature in relation to architecture, displaying the integrated vision which has led to Morris being viewed as a forerunner to both the Bauhaus and today's environmental movements. Themes present include how to build quality housing for all, the preservation of nature, the use of local building materials, a surprising ecological vision of high-density living and a proto-minimalist approach to interior decoration. These texts show an author many associate primarily with floral patterns at his most radical, modern and prescient best, as a thinker thoroughly relevant to our present moment. "Simplicity of life is not a misery, but the very foundation of refinement : a sanded floor and whitewashed walls, and the green trees; or a grimy palace amid the smoke with a regiment of housemaids always working; which, think you, is the most refined?" - William Morris