Review
"The Thinking Hand is a superb piece of writing. A primer not just for architecture, but for life." (Blueprint, July 2009) "...beautifully illustrated sequence of essays...It is philosophical, emotional and, unusually for architectural theory, as clear as a building made of glass." (The Guardian, August 1st 2009)
Product Description
In this book Pallasmaa progresses his case for a multi–sensory approach to architecture, espoused in The Eyes of the Skin, by taking a wider view of the role of embodiment in human existential reactions, experiences and expressions as well as the processes of making and thinking. ‘The Thinking Hand’ is a metaphor for the characteristic independence and autonomous activity of all our senses as they constantly scan the physical world. Many of our most crucial skills are internalised as automatic reactions that we are not consciously aware of. Even in the case of learning skills, the sequence of movements in a task is internalised and embodied rather than understood and remembered intellectually. Prevailing educational philosophies continue to emphasise conceptual, intellectual and verbal knowledge over this tacit and non–conceptual wisdom of our embodied processes, which is so essential to our experience and understanding of the physical and the built.
Juhani lectured last year at the Bartlett, here the lecture link:
Juhani Pallasmaa
Architect
Architect
Juhani Uolevi Pallasmaa is a Finnish architect and former professor of Architecture at the Helsinki University of Technology and a former Director of the Museum of Finnish Architecture (1978-1983). He runs his own architect's office - Arkkitehtitoimisto Juhani Pallasmaa KY - in Helsinki. He is also Ruth & Norman Moore Visiting Professor at Washington University in St. Louis,U.S..
His exhibitions of Finnish architecture, planning and visual arts have been displayed in more than thirty countries and he has written numerous articles on cultural philosophy, environmental psychology and theories of architecture and the arts.
A selection of essays written by Pallasmaa, from the early years to more recent ones, has been translated into English and collated together in the book "Encounters - Architectural Essays" (Helsinki, 2005), edited by Peter MacKeith. The book was shortlisted for the RIBA 2005 International Book Award.
In 2006 Pallasmaa turned 70, and the occasion was marked by the publication of the book Archipelago.
In 2006 Pallasmaa turned 70, and the occasion was marked by the publication of the book Archipelago.
Pallasmaa is a member of the Finnish Association of Architects, and an honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
