Japanese houses, nostalgic cities, and the great European castles are places we can visit without leaving home. In times like these when the strongest suggestion is to isolate ourselves, days might seem longer, and so we can fill some hours with TV series and books. Spending time nurturing creativity can help us become more productive and resilient.
Books in Digital Format
The Book of Disquiet, Fernando Pessoa
This book is for all city lovers, those who long for it from a distance and are conflicted by it when near. Pessoa, under the Bernardo Soares heteronym, wrote fragments of lyrical prose along several decades, where he evokes corners of Lisbon, which could belong to any city.
If what I wrote in the book can, someday when reread by others, entertain them even in traffic, it will be okay. If they don’t read it and if they are not entertained, it will be okay as well. -Fernando Pessoa
Eyes of the Skin, Juhani Pallasmaa
Juhani Pallasmaa wrote this essay as criticism to the hegemony of the visual over art. His reject is based on the reason that space is experimented through our corporeity and thus, involves all senses. This text expands the definition of perception in readers and enriches their appreciation skills.
An architectural work is not experienced as a series of isolated retinal images, but in its fully integrated material, corporeal, and spiritual essence. -Juhani Pallasmaa
In Praise of Shadows, Junichiro Tanizaki
There are some eastern architectural elements that we as western architects or citizens cannot fully understand. The ideas of an outdoor toilet or softly lit spaces are alien to what we are used to. In this book, Tanizaki speaks, lightly, about the reasons that make the Japanese value this kind of details so much. His discourse is fluid and invites us to imagine and cherish the environments he describes.
Because lacquer decorated with ground gold was not made to be seen just once in a lit place, but rather to be discovered within a dark place amidst a diffused light, which reveals some other details with every passing moment… -Junichiro Tanizaki
Documentaries
Restoration Home
Many of us have imagined what it would be like to live in great historical buildings, like castles, palaces, and mansions upon admiring them. This documentary follows the process of some people who chose to live in historical properties, and each episode shows the different degrees of technical, economical, and legal struggles faced by the owners along with their team.
Secrets of Great British Castles
The castles that amaze tourists in Great Britain hold the history of their nation. In this documentary series, architecture is taken apart through the summary of historical events that took place inside them.
The Square
The relevance of the public space goes unnoticed, especially when a social movement causes discomfort. In this documentary, the events that led to Egypt’s civil revolution in 2011 are summarized, the importance of the public square where gatherings and protests took place: a key piece for the movement.
Abstract
It is understandable that world events affect our productivity, especially for those who are not used to the home-office dynamic. This documentary series shows the creative process of different designers along with reflections that can be a source of inspiration these days.
Never Too Small
Every architect is challenged with a small space every now and then; however, this is not a restriction, but rather the perfect reason to unleash creativity. These isolation days, many people would want to spend time working on their homes, reason why we suggest this series of videos, where que quality of the space surpasses, by far, the square meters.
