The Architecture of Happiness

One of the great, but often unmentioned, causes of both happiness and misery is the quality of our environment: the kind of walls, chairs, buildings and streets we’re surrounded by. And yet a concern for architecture and design is too often described as frivolous, even self-indulgent.The Architecture of Happiness starts from the idea that where we are heavily influences who we can be – and argues that it is architecture’s task to stand as an eloquent reminder of our full potential.Whereas many architects are wary of openly discussing the word beauty, this audiobook has at its centre the large and naïve question: ‘What is a beautiful building?’ It amounts to a tour through the philosophy and psychology of architecture, which aims to change the way we think about our homes, streets and ourselves.

"The Architecture of Happiness is full of splendid ideas, often happily and beautifully expressed" -- The Independent
"With originality, verve, and wit, de Botton explains how we find reflections of our own values in the edifices we make … Altogether satisfying." -- San Francisco Chronicle
"De Botton is high falutin' but user friendly ... He keeps architecture on a human level." -- Los Angeles Times

Alain de Botton was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1969, was educated at Cambridge, and now lives in London. He is a writer of essayistic books that have been described as a 'philosophy of everyday life.' He’s written on love, travel, architecture and literature. His books have been bestsellers in 30 countries. Alain also started and helps to run a school in London called The School of Life, dedicated to a new vision of education. Alain started writing at a young age. His first book, Essays in Love [titled On Love in the US], was published when he was twenty-three. Nicholas Bell is an English actor who has worked in Australia for more than 20 years. He attended the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London and has performed in many theatre productions in London and Australia including Romeo & Juliet. Nicholas' television appearances include Inspector Morse, Frontline, Stingers, Blue Heelers and The Games which won the TV Week Logie for Most Outstanding Comedy Program in 2001. Films Nicholas has appeared in include Mission Impossible, The Craic and Shine.

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