Inhabited machines

More about the book

The origin of the 'living machine' Around 1800, one of the most influentialarchitectural concepts of the last 250 years emerged - that of builtspaces as technical devices. Climate, morality, and comfort are thethree main themes of this study, and each is vividly examined inseparate chapters through synchronous comparison and with the help ofexamples. The emergence of corresponding metaphors, knowledge, andconstruction forms is traced over a period of about 70 years. The authorfocuses particularly on the operative dimension of architecture. Thus,the book provides a historical perspective on a key topic for the futureof architecture. The book is aimed at readers interested inarchitecture, technology or the cultural history of building and living.