Ecological Design: Inventing the Future 1994
Distributed by Cinema Guild, 115 West 30th Street, Suite 800, New York, NY 10001; 212-685-6242
Produced by Brian Danitz and Chris Zelov
Director n/a
VHS, color, 64 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Architecture, Environmental Studies, Urban Planning
Date Entered: 05/27/2005
Reviewed by Robert L. WickEcological Design: Inventing the Future reviews the development of ecological design in the twentieth century. The concept of ecological design, as presented in the program, involves the use of basic natural forms in design concepts. This concept had its beginning with Buckminster Fuller in the 1920s and continued through the counterculture movement of the 1960s.
The film traces this development beginning with Fuller and continuing through other designers including Paolo Soleri, Steward Brand, Armory Lovins, Mary Catherine Bateson, and Jay Baldwin. Their ideas include design as a way of life, designing with nature, regenerative design, and finally leading to such structures as the biosphere. The survey covers the fields of city planning, contemporary architecture, and industrial design. The production values are very high, including narration by Linda Hunt, who is excellent.
Many of the views considered controversial at the time, are becoming more mainstream. Ecological Design: Inventing the Future provides a good overview for environmental design instruction. The program is very content rich and provides a stimulus for class discussions. Also, the in-depth coverage of Buckminster Fuller makes it essential for classes taking his concepts into account. Highly recommended for both public and academic library collections and as an individual purchase for architects and designers.