Julia Watson. Lo—TEK. Design by Radical Indigenism
Hardcover, Swiss binding with open spine, 6.7 x 9.6 in., 2.35 lb, 420 pages
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In an era of high-tech and climate extremes, we are drowning in information while starving for wisdom. Enter Lo—TEK, a design movement building on indigenous philosophy and vernacular infrastructure to generate sustainable, resilient, nature-based technology. With a foreword by anthropologist Wade Davis and spanning 18 countries from Peru and the Philippines to Tanzania and Iran, this book explores millennia-old human ingenuity on how to live in symbiosis with nature. Manifesting the disclosure of hidden knowledge, the book’s artful Swiss binding showcases an open spine, revealing the construction of the book.
Customer reviews (9)
The Power of Lo—TEK
A global exploration of nature-based technology
Three hundred years ago, intellectuals of the European Enlightenment constructed a mythology of technology. Influenced by a confluence of humanism, colonialism, and racism, this mythology ignored local wisdom and indigenous innovation, deeming it primitive. Today, we have slowly come to realize that the legacy of this mythology is haunting us.Designers understand the urgency of reducing humanity’s negative environmental impact, yet perpetuate the same mythology of technology that relies on exploiting nature. Responding to climate change by building hard infrastructures and favoring high-tech homogenous design, we are ignoring millennia-old knowledge of how to live in symbiosis with nature. Without implementing soft systems that use biodiversity as a building block, designs remain inherently unsustainable.
Lo—TEK, derived from Traditional Ecological Knowledge, is a cumulative body of multigenerational knowledge, practices, and beliefs, countering the idea that indigenous innovation is primitive and exists isolated from technology. It is sophisticated and designed to sustainably work with complex ecosystems.
With a foreword by anthropologist Wade Davis and four chapters spanning Mountains, Forests, Deserts, and Wetlands, this book explores thousands of years of human wisdom and ingenuity from 18 countries including Peru, the Philippines, Tanzania, Kenya, Iran, Iraq, India, and Indonesia. We rediscover an ancient mythology in a contemporary context, radicalizing the spirit of human nature.
The tactile reading experience of Lo—TEK reflects the ingenuity of carefully selected projects with sophisticated design details: copper highlights the value of ancient knowledge, a cardboard hardcover echoes rawness, and the Swiss binding showcases an open spine and reveals the construction of the book, just as the book discloses hidden technological knowledge.
Julia Watson. Lo—TEK. Design by Radical Indigenism
Hardcover, Swiss binding with open spine, 6.7 x 9.6 in., 2.35 lb, 420 pages
ISBN 978-3-8365-7818-9
Edition: English
Edition: English
Customer reviews (9)
A very nice book, overall
Maria Giulia, October 27, 2021
Nice pictures, nice drawings, and clear explaination: a beautiful journey into native architecture
Inspiring
Allegra, October 27, 2021
So interesting and inspiring, very well printed and crafted.
A must have for lovers of architecture
Kassandra, October 27, 2021
Beautifully bound and highly insightful
Unique and beautiful book
Diane, October 27, 2021
Inspired choices and photography. A lot to ponder for those interested in Passive House, biomimicry, and other design spaces inspired by (and living within) the natural elements.
Amazing book
Axel, October 27, 2021
Absolutely stunning book full of philosophy
¡Excelente Libro!
Gilberto HS, December 10, 2021
Muy feliz al recibir el producto, excelente libro y proceso de envío. Sumamente interesante el contenido y lo recomiendo ampliamente.
Un livre résolument magnifique
Alexis, November 02, 2021
Lo -TEK Design bu Radical Indigenism que propose TASCHEN est un livre ressource qui expose de façon exemplaire les constructions naturelles des peuples à travers le monde. Les explications et témoignages sont très riches de sens et d'espoir sur la sobriété qui amène à des constructions ingénieuses, solides, utilitaires et parfaitement intégrées dans le paysage.
Julia Watson. Lo—TEK. Design by Radical Indigenism
Juan Jose, October 29, 2021
Seria necesario que un libro tan interesante pueda estar en español, aunque sea en alguna pagina de internet o en formato cd , dentro del libro. gracias
Superbe livre
Julien, October 27, 2021
Très beau livre je le recommande