Island Press Field Notes

John Cary, author of the new book Design for Good: A New Era of Architecture for Everyone, explores the intersection between design and dignity

Well-designed spaces are not just a matter of taste or a question of aesthetics; they literally shape our ideas about who we are and what we deserve. Design impacts our health, our education, our community, our sense of self-worth, and more, yet all-too-often design is viewed as a luxury. To address critical problems of access and inequity at home and around the world, good design must transcend the endless coverage of multi-million dollar homes and Silicon Valley office spaces to become a key means of uplifting those who need it most.

Chuck Wolfe, author of the new book Seeing the Better City, shares how photo-powered “urban diaries” can give residents a powerful new way to contribute to the dialogue that shapes their cities

This Friday, visionary architect Sim Van der Ryn takes you on a reflective journey of a more ecological and humane approach to design. With a focus on the strengths and weaknesses in our approach to the design of our communities, regions, and buildings he looks at promising trends and projects that demonstrate how we can help create a better world for others and ourselves. Enjoy this beautifully illustrated book drawing on a rich and revered career of a noted leader in the field.