Robert Brown has once again demonstrated an uncanny knack for taking principles of atmospheric physics and blending them with practical approaches suitable for professional and non-professional designers. This is masterful work by an extraordinary teacher, scientist, and designer. Well done!
Ronald R. Stoltz ASLA FCELA, Professor and Associate Dean, College of Landscape Architecture Urban greens are indispensable not only for mitigating global warming through CO2 absorption but also for adapting to the hotter urban environments of today. This book describes numerous ways in which cities around the world can improve thermal comfort and livability by designing and planning urban greens in a 'thermally sound' manner.
Dr. Kazuhiko Takeuchi Vice-Rector of United Nations University and Professor, University of Tokyo The book strikes a nice balance of technical information, anecdotes, examples and illustrations, and Brown's emphasis throughout is on creating microclimates that attend to the well being of people, animals and plants.
SABMag ...This slim, friendly, and occasionally overwhelming primer urges landscape architects to understand the deeper implications of the big trio
topography, vegetation, and structure
and employ these elements more effectively by adding solar and terrestrial radiation, wind, and other climatic elements to the mix. Brown, a professor of landscape architecture at the University of Guelph, employs both expertise and enthusiasm to argue that thermal comfort contributes more than any amenity to susccessful site design....A trustworthy, sometimes goofy guide (who intersperses 'yikes!' and 'duh' into the milieu of pyranometers and conduction channels), Brown offers terrific anecdotes to illustrate microclimate concepts...
Landscape Architecture Magazine ... it is an accessible and informative book suitable for beginning students in landscape architecture.
Landscapes ... This thought-provoking, interdisciplinary book is well illustrated, readable, and at many junctures, surprising. More design treatises like this are needed
works that contrast the intuitive with the counterintuitive and provide a sense that real change at the human level is within the professional's scope.
CHOICE In summary, Design with Microclimate is a useful introduction for students of landscape architecture aiming to develop an understanding of microclimate and designing for thermal comfort.
Landscape Research In Design with Microclimate, Robert Brown masterfully outlines the various complexities and considerations embedded in creating comfortable, usable and even popular outdoor spaces. His goal is to encourage designers to think holistically as they strive to design meaningful places.
Traditional Dwellings and Settlements Review Design with Microclimate is brilliant. It is the most important, easily readable text discussing microclimate. Climate change and densification of cities demands knowledge of microclimate so that spaces can be created for human comfort, as well as for flora and fauna. The book gives excellent examples of collaboration between design professionals to achieve 'the secret to comfortable outdoor space.'
Cornelia Hahn Oberlande OC FASLA FCSLA, Founder, Cornelia Hahn Oberlander Landscape Architects, Vancouver