In the development of contemporary architecture, no one has had a greater influence than Louis I. Kahn, whose many buildings include the Salk Institute, the Yale Study Center, and the Exeter Library. He is remembered, however, not only as a master builder, but also as one of the most important and creative thinkers of the twentieth century. For Kahn, the study of architecture was the study of human beings, their highest aspirations and most profound truths. He searched for forms and materials to express the subtlety and grandeur of life. In his buildings we see the realization of his vision: luminous surfaces that evoke a fundamental awe, silent courtyards that speak of the expansiveness and the sanctity of the spirit, monumental columns and graceful arches that embody dignity and strength. Updated with a new preface, this classic work is a major statement on human creativity, showing us Louis Kahn as architect, visionary, and poet.

一座城市，无论景象多么普通都可以带来欢乐。从《城市意象》这本书中我们发现——城市如同建筑，是一种空间的结构，只是尺度更巨大，需要用更长的时间过程去感知。城市设计可以说是一种时间的艺术，然而它与别的时间艺术，比如已掌握的音乐规律完全不同。很显然，不同的条件下，对于不同的人群，城市设计的规律有可能被倒置、打断、甚至是彻底废弃。

《园林与建筑》主要讲述了：童明撰写《镜像与迷宫》以作为“与会”意向的整体说明，董豫赣撰写《与园林语》以作为“园林与建筑”活动的主题说明。在此之后，是由葛明组织翻译的四篇与此次与会内容相关的译文，同时许亦农先生也为本次文集撰写了《苏州园林与文化记忆》一文。