Emilio Ambasz
Emerging Nature

Precursor of Architecture and Design

Emerging Nature documents the work of the Argentinian architect and designer Emilio Ambasz. The publication discusses his projects ranging from buildings and urban gardens including green facade vertical gardens to exhibition designs and everyday objects. The comprehensive volume features essays by various experts, interviews, a wealth of color photographs and drawings.

Ambasz’s main concern is to integrate nature and construction into architectural design, which is why he is regarded as one of the most important pioneers of Green Architecture. In his work a combination of landscape and architecture emerges, in which his respect for the environment and ecological sustainability becomes clear. A prime example of this is the Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall in Japan: a building that houses more than 100,000 m2 of exhibition spaces, theaters and offices is also an open green area in the form of a hanging garden.

The immense scope and diversity of Emilio Ambasz’ work is astounding. Besides architecture he has made a name for himself with the various objects he designs; they range from diesel engines and streetlights to portable TV players, fold-out watches and innovative office chairs. Emilio Ambasz followed his widespread interests and left traces in all the disciplines he crossed on his professional path.

Emerging Nature documents the work of the Argentinian architect and designer Emilio Ambasz. The publication discusses his projects ranging from buildings and urban gardens including green facade vertical gardens to exhibition designs and everyday objects. The comprehensive volume features essays by various experts, interviews, a wealth of color photographs and drawings.

Ambasz’s main concern is to integrate nature and construction into architectural design, which is why he is regarded as one of the most important pioneers of Green Architecture. In his work a combination of landscape and architecture emerges, in which his respect for the environment and ecological sustainability becomes clear. A prime example of this is the Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall in Japan: a building that houses more than 100,000 m2 of exhibition spaces, theaters and offices is also an open green area in the form of a hanging garden.

The immense scope and diversity of Emilio Ambasz’ work is astounding. Besides architecture he has made a name for himself with the various objects he designs; they range from diesel engines and streetlights to portable TV players, fold-out watches and innovative office chairs. Emilio Ambasz followed his widespread interests and left traces in all the disciplines he crossed on his professional path.


«Wenige Architekten verstehen es, Architektur und Natur so harmonisch in Einklang zu bringen wie Emilio Ambasz, Vorreiter der Green Architecture. Das Buch ist nicht nur eine Werkdokumentation des Architekten und Designers, sondern auch eine Hommage.»
– Das Ideale Heim


Emilio Ambasz winner of the «International Compasso d’Oro Career Award» 2020

With contributions by Barry Bergdoll, Peter Buchanan, Kenneth Frampton, Peter Hall, Fulvio Irace, Dean MacCannell, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Lauren Sedofsky, Michael Sorkin, James Wines

Design: Integral Lars Müller

21 × 29,5 cm, 8 ¼ × 11 ¾ in

312 pages, 160 illustrations

paperback

2017, 978-3-03778-526-3, English
CHF 39.00

Emilio Ambasz

Emilio Ambasz (*1943 in Argentina) studied at Princeton University where he completed the undergraduate program in one year and gained a master’s degree in architecture just a year later. From 1969 to 1976, he was curator of design at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where he directed and installed exhibitions on architecture and industrial design. Ambasz was president of the Architectural League for two terms, from 1981 to 1985. Between 1966 and 1969, he taught at Princeton University’s School of Architecture and was a visiting professor at the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Ulm, Germany. Since then, he has lectured at many major American universities. Ambasz holds a number of industrial and mechanical design patents and has received numerous industrial design awards.