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Books
Structure in Nature is a Strategy for Design
The MIT Press, 1978, 1990
Pearce’s first book presents the research and theoretical developments initiated with his Graham fellowship work from 1965-66. The book explores the geometry and structure of systems in nature drawn from the fields of crystallography, biology, botany, physics, and metallography, as they might apply to high-performance building systems design. This theoretical work formed the basis for all subsequent physical systems that Pearce designed and developed for architectural scale applications. It also informs the entire body of his design work including toys, playground structures, systems building, furniture, and architecture. The completion of the book was supported by a supplemental grant from the Graham Foundation and a grant from the Architectural Division of the National Endowment for the Arts. The final form of the book was submitted to The MIT Press in the mid-1970s and was first published in 1978. Used copies of this book are still available from amazon.com and other sources.
Polyhedra Primer
VanNostrand Reinhold, 1978
Reprinted: Dale Seymour Publications, 1985
Currently published by Pearce Publications, 2015, printed by Create Space division of amazon.com.
Currently published by Pearce Publications, 2015, printed by Create Space division of amazon.com.
This second book was co-authored with Pearce’s deceased wife Susan Pearce. It is a layman’s guide to spatial geometry in two and three dimensions. It uses drawings with simple captions to explain sophisticated geometric ideas. Presented in the book are polygons, tessellations, polyhedra, dual polyhedra, space-filling, and open packings, among other subjects. This book is available on amazon.com.
Experiments in Form, A Foundation Course in Three-Dimensional Design
VanNostrand Reinhold, 1980
This third book presents a high-performance-oriented approach to three-dimensional form as a foundation for the design of the built environment. This book was drawn from Pearce’s teaching experience at Cal State Northridge (1961/1965), University of Southern California, School of Architecture (1966/67), and California Institute of the Arts, School of Design (1970/71). This book was also supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and co-authored by Pearce’s deceased wife Susan Pearce. This book is out of print and not readily available, although used copies can be found on the internet.
Beyond Green: A Case Study House for the 21st Century
A Preview of the Pearce Ecohouse (aka the Hólos House)
Published by Pearce Publications, 2015, printed by Create Space Division of amazon.com.
This book documents the concept development and design of the Pearce Ecohouse. It is available for purchase from amazon.com as well as other sources.
Curved Space Diamond Structure:
Origins, Geometry and Natural Structure
Published by Pearce Publications, 2015, printed by Create Space Division of amazon.com.
Co-authored by Pearce’s daughter Aleta Pearce, this book describes the origins of the Curved Space structures invented by Peter Pearce. It illustrates the relationship of the Curved Space Labyrinth to the geometry of the diamond molecule. The book also shows examples of relatively large assemblies of the Curved Space, how they are built and how such examples are scaled so that children can climb through the labyrinths that are created. This book is available for purchase from amazon.com as well as other sources.