The Shape of Green by Lance Hosey

Sustainable design has many facets, not only it's beauty, how it's made, and how well it performs. The Shape of Green discusses the aesthetics of sustainable design, based on scientific research, and finds that aesthetic attraction is an environmental imperative. Fully embracing the principles of ecology in the substance and style of design will enhance design in every way and on every scale, from products to buildings to cities.

Through questions such as:
Can the shape of a car make it more aerodynamic and more attractive at the same time?
Could buildings be constructed of porous materials that simultaneously clean the air and soothe the skin?
Can cities become verdant, productive landscapes instead of wastelands of concrete?
and the practical design challenges posed by these questions, the author of The Shape of Green, Lance Hosey examines what makes something attractive or emotionally pleasing, and demonstrates that form and image can enhance conservation, comfort, and community. Beauty could save the planet.

The Shape of Green has 216 pages, with 60 figures and photos. USA. Printed on recycled, acid-free paper.

Lance Hosey is an architect, designer and writer, and is President and CEO of GreenBlue, a nonprofit that works to make products more sustainable. He is a former partner with William Mcdonough and Partners and a coauthor of Women in Green: Voices of Sustainable Design.