Author(s): Alain de Botton

Cultural Studies

In his extraordinary new book, Alain de Botton explores the importance of buildings in our lives, pondering our attachment to our homes and considering such questions as: Why do people disagree about taste?
Can beautiful surroundings make us good?
Not to mention: What makes a window frame attractive?

Rooted in the idea that architecture has the power to influence how we feel and that we are different people in different buildings, The Architecture of Happiness suggests how we might learn to build better, more attractive dwellings, in which we could stand a higher chance of happiness.

First published 2006.