A groundbreaking exploration of Emilio Ambasz’s visionary fusion of nature and architecture—revealing the origins of sustainable design long before it entered the global conversation.

Called the “Messiah of Green Architecture,” Emilio Ambasz not only revolutionized design methods, but changed the traditional way of thinking about humanity’s relationship with nature. Instead of the traditional home in a garden, Ambasz’s designs show we can have both, by proposing solutions that restore 100% of the land covered by a building’s footprint to the community, in the form of gardens and parks.

For a long time, his vision was considered utopian or eccentric. Today, in light of environmental sustainability concerns, his work is being rehabilitated as prophetic, and he stands out as a forerunner of the sustainable design movement. Organized into eight chapters, this book includes some of his most well-known projects (Lucille Halsell Conservatory, Casa de Retiro Espiritual, Fukuoka Hall, Venice Hospital, Banca dell'Occhio, etc.), as well as unbuilt projects dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, which faithfully convey Ambasz’s vision, his commitment to restoring the right balance between the natural and the artificial, and his ingenuity in coming up with innovative solutions to make vegetation an integral part of architecture.

About The Author

Fulvio Irace is one of the most authoritative historians of contemporary Italian architecture. Professor Emeritus at the Politecnico di Milano, he was the longtime editor of the Sole 24 Ore’s architecture columns and has edited numerous volumes on key figures in Italian design, as well as curating several exhibitions at the Milan Triennale. His distinctly interdisciplinary work stands out for its ability to combine critical rigor and readability.