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In Deep Design, David Wann explores a new way of thinking about design, one that asks "What is our ultimate goal?" before the first step has even been taken. Designs that begin with such a question – whether in products, buildings, technologies, or communities – are sensitive to living systems, and can potentially accomplish their mission without the seemingly unavoidable side effects of pollution, erosion, congestion, and stress. Such "deep designs" meet the key criteria of renewability, recyclability, and nontoxicity. Often based on natural systems, they are easy to understand and implement, and provide more elegant approaches to getting the services and functions we need. Wann presents information gleaned from interviews with more than fifty innovative designers in a wide variety of fields, and describes numerous case studies that explain the concept and practice of deep design. Reviews “Deep Design is timely,
it is necessary and it is wonderful. The ability to design beyond our
instincts separates humans from other species and we now realize how
much our ‘designs’ separate us from and endanger the natural world we
inhabit. Because design is also the first signal of human intention
it is time to reconsider our intentions and we must look everywhere
and we must look deeply. This is what David
Wann has done with this important book.” “David
Wann shows how an understanding of ‘deep design’ can bring a good
sustainable standard of living to all people, without incurring profit
loss or environmentally degrading compromises. His message goes beyond
an easily said ‘we must’ to ‘we not only can, but here are examples
of how we already have.’ The calm presentation and many examples of
successful deep design (not just in architecture and planning) make
this book credible to decision-makers who need this information. This
book provides the basis for a useful college course.” “Deep Design finally
provides the content buried beneath the elusive word ‘sustainability,’
and in doing so, opens up new ways of understanding controversies and
provides new insights which will contribute to their resolutions. It
is required reading for all ages, all backgrounds and professions participating
in this dialogue.” About the Author David Wann has written four books, more than a hundred articles, and produced twenty videos. He has taught at the college level, worked as a policy analyst for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for more than a decade, and helped design and build the cohousing village in which he now lives.
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