By Thomas Ap Van Leeuwen

"The Foot" is the undisputed authority on matters of surface. The Thinking Foot – A Pedestrian Study of Paving is an inquiry into the undervalued qualities of "Surface" – in particular both the quantity and quality of the surface of our cities – demonstrated by a history of paving and the multiple consequences of hard surfaces. It is the last part of the tetralogy - with each volume centred on the relationship of architecture to one of the four classical elements: The Skyward Trend of Thought: Metaphysics of the American Skyscraper (Air), The Springboard in the Pond: An Intimate History of the Swimming Pool (Water) and The Magic Stove: Barry, Soyer and The Reform Club (Fire) and the present volume (Earth).