BWZ Book Review Eco-Interiors: A Guide to Environmentally Conscious Interior Design by Grazyna Pilatowicz
		by Pat Lasswell Eco-Interiors: A Guide to Environmentally Conscious Interior Design is exactly that, a guide. Grazyna Pilatowicz does not attempt an in-depth treatment of any subject, nor will you find information on specific practices, products, or services in these 171 pages. You will find instead a broad survey of the issues, and references to more information on specific topics. The book opens with on overview of the environmental problems of today and of the challenge of sustainability. Anyone who is familiar with the topic will recognize much of the material. Although it is merely preparatory for the following chapters, the trivia-filled side notes make it an interesting browse for the experienced reader, and those left wanting more will find a short reading list at the end of the chapter. The next four chapters present themselves in a similar form. The second chapter completes the first part of the book, by outlining the environmental issues of building interiors. The next three chapters comprise the part two of the book and survey the design process, focusing in turn on resource use and conservation, indoor air quality, and the materials and products of both construction and maintenance. Pilatowicz examines the issues with a long-term perspective, inviting the reader to consider the origin, use, and ultimate end of every aspect of a building. The third part of the book offers four case studies: Harmony, a tourist resort on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the offices of a "major publisher" on 555 Broadway in New York City, the Natural Resources Defense Council--also in New York City--and West Bend Mutual Insurance Company's Wisconsin headquarters. Not only do these chapters show how eco-design applies in practice, but they also provide the reader with the assurance that sustainability is not only economically feasible, but is in many cases cost effective as well. It is a rare bit of good news. The last part of the book lists extant resources for the eco-designer. Unfortunately, this material will be of little use outside the United States. This highlights the one clear lack of the guide: although the issues affect everyone on the Earth, and although the principles could be applied anywhere, the resources provided are entirely US-centric, and in the 70 item bibliography, there are only two non-US sources, both from the UK. Eco-Interiors is not a book one would read over and over, but could serve as a useful syllabus for the self-directed student of environmentally conscious design, or as an essential overview for the generalist. This book is but a transient item in my library, surely to be passed on to another neophyte. Though an excellent entree to the field, its broad nature leaves the reader wanting more, which - on the subject of sustainability - is exactly what we need. Discuss it! What do you think about this article? This is important, I want more I found it interesting Ehh, it was OK It's not that significant I don't care Subscribe Now!
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