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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Eyes of the Skin summary
Juhani Pallasmaa
Brief summary
The Eyes of the Skin by Juhani Pallasmaa delves into the sensory experience of architecture, emphasizing the importance of touch and other senses in our perception of the built environment.
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Table of Contents
The Eyes of the Skin
Summary of key ideas
Understanding Architecture Through the Senses
In The Eyes of the Skin, Juhani Pallasmaa, a Finnish architect, explores the role of the human senses in architecture. He argues that contemporary architecture is dominated by the visual sense, while the other senses, such as touch, hearing, and smell, are often ignored. Pallasmaa suggests that this imbalance has led to an impoverished architectural experience and a disconnection between people and their built environment.
Pallasmaa begins by emphasizing the importance of our tactile sense, which he believes to be the most fundamental and emotionally rich of all senses. He contends that touch is the first sense to develop in the womb, and it remains the most intimate and direct way we experience the world. In his view, architecture should be designed to engage our tactile sense, providing us with a more profound and meaningful experience of space.
Architecture as an Embodiment of Human Experience
Continuing his exploration, Pallasmaa delves into the relationship between architecture and human experience. He argues that our built environment should not only cater to our physical needs but should also resonate with our emotional and psychological states. He criticizes the trend of creating visually stimulating but emotionally sterile buildings, which he believes fail to address our fundamental human needs.
According to Pallasmaa, architecture should serve as a medium that connects us with our surroundings and our inner selves. He advocates for a more holistic approach to architectural design, one that considers the full range of human experiences and emotions. This, he believes, can only be achieved by acknowledging and engaging all our senses.
Challenging the Dominance of Vision
Turning his attention to the dominance of vision in contemporary architecture, Pallasmaa critiques the overreliance on visual stimuli. He argues that while vision is undoubtedly important, it should not be the sole determinant of our experience of space. Pallasmaa suggests that our other senses, such as touch and hearing, play equally significant roles in shaping our perception of the built environment.
He illustrates his point by examining historical architectural forms, particularly those from pre-modern and non-Western cultures. In these examples, Pallasmaa identifies a more balanced and multisensory approach to architecture, one that engages the whole body and all the senses. He contrasts this with the modernist movement, which, in his view, prioritized visual aesthetics at the expense of other sensory experiences.
Reclaiming a Multisensory Architecture
In the final section of The Eyes of the Skin, Pallasmaa presents his vision for a more multisensory architecture. He calls for a return to a more embodied and experiential approach to design, one that acknowledges and celebrates the full range of human senses. Pallasmaa believes that such an approach will not only result in more emotionally resonant and socially inclusive spaces but also contribute to our overall well-being.
In conclusion, The Eyes of the Skin challenges the architectural status quo by advocating for a more holistic and multisensory approach to design. Pallasmaa's work serves as a call to architects, urging them to consider the human experience in its entirety, rather than focusing solely on visual aesthetics. By doing so, he believes that architecture can become a more profound and enriching part of our lives.
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What is The Eyes of the Skin about?
The Eyes of the Skin by Juhani Pallasmaa explores the role of the senses in our perception of architecture. Pallasmaa argues that our experience of the built environment is not solely visual, but also tactile, auditory, and olfactory. He challenges the dominance of sight in architectural design and advocates for a more holistic approach that engages all the senses.
The Eyes of the Skin Review
The Eyes of the Skin (2005) explores how our senses shape our understanding of architecture. Here's why this book is an enriching read:
- Offers a unique perspective on architecture and human experience, emphasizing the importance of sensory perception in design.
- Challenges conventional ideas by highlighting the significance of tactile senses over visual experiences in architectural appreciation.
- Encourages readers to explore a deeper connection between physical spaces and emotional responses, fostering a more holistic understanding of architecture.
Who should read The Eyes of the Skin?
Architecture students and professionals seeking a deeper understanding of sensory experience in design
Individuals interested in the intersection of art, psychology, and architecture
Readers looking to broaden their perspective on the role of the senses in shaping our built environment
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The Eyes of the Skin FAQs
What is the main message of The Eyes of the Skin?
The book emphasizes the importance of sensory experiences in architecture and design.
How long does it take to read The Eyes of the Skin?
Reading time varies, but expect several hours. The Blinkist summary offers a quick overview in minutes.
Is The Eyes of the Skin a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Eyes of the Skin is a must-read for design enthusiasts. It sheds light on the role of senses in experiencing spaces.
Who is the author of The Eyes of the Skin?
Juhani Pallasmaa is the author of The Eyes of the Skin.
What to read after The Eyes of the Skin?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Eyes of the Skin, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
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