From Eye to Heart

Book excerpt: From Eye to Heart: Exterior Spaces Explored and Explained blends science, art, theory, and history to survey environmental design across significant cultures and places. Based on extensively class-tested material and the joint experiences of the authors as planners, designers, artists, and scientists, From Eye to Heart has a global perspective on the spaces humans create. Students learn what makes a good environment. They then see these principles and ideas come to life across the globe and time through examples from China, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Anatolia, and Persia. They explore architecture and design in Renaissance France, England, Portugal, and Spain, through land planning efforts in European parks, and in the era of post post-modernism. The final chapters of the book examine links between art and environmental theory and research. The book incorporates stunning visuals, and opinion pieces and short stories to support retention of places and settings. Written with the unique insight of authors who have visited, studied, and deeply considered the featured locations, From Eye to Heart is designed for courses in environmental design and landscape architecture.