An architect’s gripping account of living and working in war-torn Syria; and the role architecture plays in whether a community crumbles or comes together Drawing on the author’s personal experience of living and working as an architect in Syria; this timely and fascinating account offers an eyewitness perspective on the country’s bitter conflict through the lens of architecture; showing how the built environment and its destruction hold up a mirror to the communities that inhabit it. From Syria’s tolerant past; with churches and mosques built alongside one another in Old Homs and members of different religions living harmoniously together; the book chronicles the recent breakdown of social cohesion in Syria’s cities. With the lack of shared public spaces intensifying divisions within the community; and corrupt officials interfering in town planning for their own gain; these actions are symptomatic of wider abuses of power. With firsthand accounts of mortar attacks and stories of refugees struggling to find a home; The Battle for Home is a compelling explanation of the personal impact of the conflict and offers hope for how architecture can play a role in rebuilding a sense of identity within a damaged society. 50 black-and-white line drawings
#3160392 in BooksModel: Hard Cover 1999-12Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 .97 x 10.24 x 12.50l; 2.20 #File Name: 0500019541231 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. He love it so muchBy Yanchen Yanga gift for my Chinese friend. He love it so much.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. not badBy Wayne S. WalkerZanskar is a small ancient kingdom of about 10;000 people deep in the heart of a remote Himalayan Mountain valley area on the eastern side of the Indian state of Kashmir; isolated from the outside world by snow for nine months of the year. The people are mostly followers of Tibetan Buddhism who are isolated by the high mountains and until recently had little contact with the outside world. Beginning at age twenty; author Olivier Follmi; a French photographer who became attracted to the area in the 1980s; has made numerous trips to Zanskar over a 20-year period. I do not recall exactly how I came to have this book; but it records some of Follmi’s visits; telling the story of his fascination with Zanskar and providing a record of the rites and customs of the land. Where Heaven and Mountains Meet is basically a coffee-table type of book containing Folllmi’s photographs of the extraordinary landscape and portraits of its people; along with delicate; hand-painted watercolors by Tibetan artist Rapkar Wangchuk which seek to recreate the quintessential images of Tibetan Buddhism. I do not know what the author’s religious beliefs are. Many Westerners have turned to Eastern religions. However; the Zanskaris are definitely Buddhist; and the commentary contains a lot of references to Buddhist theory and practice. If one is interested in a volume with breathtaking pictures of the Himalayas and information about the culture of this region; including its religion and how its observance defines the people’s way of life; the book is not bad. However; there are several occurrences mentioned of drinking various alcoholic beverages common among the Zanskaris. In discussing the acceptance of polyandry in Zanskar; Follmi; who himself is married to his wife Danielle; records how he is invited and even encouraged to commit adultery with the wife of one of his Zanskari friends as an “act of love.†As he notes; “[L]ove between the sexes is on a relatively easy footing in Zanskar. Fidelity is not important.†However; he feels “inhibited;†and nothing actually happens. Not really appropriate material for the kiddos! Born in 1958 at Saint-Julien-en-Genevois; France; of Latin and Germanic descent; Olivier Föllmi published an earlier collection of photographs of the region entitled Zanskar: A Himalayan Kingdom (1989). He and Danielle are the founders of HOPE (Himalayan Organization for People and Education); which supports educational projects in the Himalayas.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. evocative photos and Tibetan artworkBy sally tarboxFascinating work by a photographer who has made many trips to Zanskar. His pictures show the people; the temples and the landscape and emphasize just how harsh the climate really is. In the accompanying text he describes the experiences of he and his wife living with the local people. Interspersed with this are wonderful Buddhist watercolors by a Tibetan artist
