Ethics and the Practice of Architecture - by Barry Wasserman & Patrick J Sullivan & Gregory Palermo (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From theory to practice a unique, well-rounded guide to ethics fortoday s architect

How does an architect assist a community in evaluating alternativedesigns? Resolve a dispute with a contractor? Take into account aproject s impact on the natural environment?

When it comes to questions like these, making decisions about whatought to be done or what is the "best" or "right" solution requiresmore than sound technical knowledge and strong design talent. Itdemands a solid understanding of the ethical issues that lie at theheart of architectural practice.

Ethics and the Practice of Architecture offers a complete, broad-based introduction to this crucial subject. First, itexamines basic ethical theories and their application toarchitecture, and discusses different ways of identifying ethicalcontent in architecture. Bridging the gap between theory andpractice, the second part of the book surveys differentprofessional settings and building project processes thatfrequently hold ethical concerns, and charts the ethical mandatesthat arise from them.

In the final section of the book, thirty case studies explore awide range of ethical dilemmas encountered in architecturalpractice, with useful guidance on how to work through themeffectively. Arranged by topics that span the key phases of aproject from pre-design through post-occupancy evaluation, thesecase studies allow a detailed look at ethical concerns in real-lifesituations where multiple issues are often at stake.

Providing a practical framework for the exploration of ethicalissues in architecture today, Ethics and the Practice ofArchitecture is an excellent resource for present and futurearchitects in all areas of the field.

From the Back Cover

From theory to practice?a unique, well-rounded guide to ethics for today's architect

How does an architect assist a community in evaluating alternative designs? Resolve a dispute with a contractor? Take into account a project's impact on the natural environment?

When it comes to questions like these, making decisions about what ought to be done?or what is the "best" or "right" solution?requires more than sound technical knowledge and strong design talent. It demands a solid understanding of the ethical issues that lie at the heart of architectural practice.

Ethics and the Practice of Architecture offers a complete, broad-based introduction to this crucial subject. First, it examines basic ethical theories and their application to architecture, and discusses different ways of identifying ethical content in architecture. Bridging the gap between theory and practice, the second part of the book surveys different professional settings and building project processes that frequently hold ethical concerns, and charts the ethical mandates that arise from them.

In the final section of the book, thirty case studies explore a wide range of ethical dilemmas encountered in architectural practice, with useful guidance on how to work through them effectively. Arranged by topics that span the key phases of a project from pre-design through post-occupancy evaluation, these case studies allow a detailed look at ethical concerns in real-life situations where multiple issues are often at stake.

Providing a practical framework for the exploration of ethical issues in architecture today, Ethics and the Practice of Architecture is an excellent resource for present and future architects in all areas of the field.

Review Quotes

"...an invaluable piece of work, with its brisk tables andsummaries should be compulsory reading for architecture students."(Architecture Review, October 2000)

"The Authors of Ethics and the Practice of Architecture bring awealth of scholarship and experience to a subject that is not oftenso well explored." (Journal of Architectural Education, February 2003

About the Author

BARRY WASSERMAN, FAIA, is Professor Emeritus in the Department ofArchitecture at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California, and heads his own architecture, urban design, andcommunity facilitation firm.

PATRICK SULLIVAN, FAIA, is a professor in the Department ofArchitecture at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California, and Principal of Patrick Sullivan Associates.

GREGORY PALERMO, FAIA, is Associate Professor and Associate Chairfor Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Architecture of theCollege of Design at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.