This theoretical work on architecture examines the meaning and relevance of a neutral stance in the face of contemporary urban chaos. It stems from a desire to move beyond a paradigmatic reading of urbanization and to establish a calmer relationship to this condition. The neutral stance in question is not one of passivity, but of heightened receptivity. It articulates a desire for a just relationship with the present that is attentive and unassuming, and that readily accepts the polyphonic character of the contemporary city. Its central argument concerns the creative and productive potential of neutrality and the way it engages with chaos as an inexhaustible source. This research draws on a broad body of multidisciplinary work (art, literature, photography, psychoanalysis etc.) to define a position within the architectural discipline.
The publication emerges from Ido Avissar’s in-depth research at the École nationale supérieure d’architecture de Versailles. It is closely connected to a monograph on the work of LIST, the architecture and urban planning office founded by Avissar in 2012, and complements it with a more in-depth theoretical perspective.
“Seldom does a collection of art history essays leave readers yearning for a second volume…”—Barbara Wisch, Renaissance Quarterly
Roman church interiors throughout the Early Modern age were endowed with rich historical and visual significance. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, in anticipation of and following the Council of Trent, and in response to the expansion of the Roman Curia, the chapel became a singular arena in which wealthy and powerful Roman families, as well as middle-class citizens, had the opportunity to demonstrate their status and role in Roman society. In most cases the chapels were conceived not as isolated spaces, but as part of a more complex system, which involved the nave and the other chapels within the church, in a dialogue among the arts and the patrons of those other spaces. This volume explores this historical and artistic phenomenon through a number of examples involving the patronage of prominent Roman families such as the Chigis, Spadas, Caetanis, Cybos and important artists and architects such as Federico Zuccari, Giacomo della Porta, Carlo Maderno, Alessandro Algardi, Pietro da Cortona, Carlo Maratta.
Regarded by critics to be one of the most progressive American firms to be seen in the last 30 years, Hariri & Hariri Architecture was established in 1986 by Iranian-born Cornell-educated sisters, Gisue Hariri and Mojgan Hariri. Their work imbues their own unique brand of modernism across conceptual, residential, commercial and institutional works. The practice has a voice that is distinctly its own. The firm’s work has often been described in the language of poetry or art. What differentiates its work is the firm’s insistence that it approaches all projects, small or large, in a ‘holistic’ manner. While this approach integrates multiple dimensions and considerations, there are two overriding imperatives that transcend others to define its design narrative: ‘nature and identity.’ These key principles are celebrated in this visually stunning book. A significant addition to IMAGES’ growing list of titles in its global-reaching Leading Architects series, this beautifully photographed book showcases an enormous body of work by a firm led by two multi-disciplinary practitioners.
Architecture Asia, as the official journal of the Architects Regional Council Asia, aims to provide a forum not only for presenting Asian phenomena and their characteristics to the world but also for understanding diversity and multiculturalism within Asia from a global perspective. In the 21st century, Asia has been developed fast in the wave of globalization, and the living and urban environment are changing rapidly along with the economic development. In this process, many Asian cities are carrying out large-scale urban infrastructure construction in the process of rapid urbanization, and building a large number of iconic buildings that represent the characteristics of the country or city. This issue focuses on Living in the 21st Century, through three perspectives: the transformation of spatial functions, the contradiction between urban development and individual dwelling, and architecture in the age of self-media.
Architecture Asia, as the official journal of the Architects Regional Council Asia, aims to provide a forum, not only for presenting Asian phenomena and their characteristics to the world, but also for understanding diversity and multiculturalism within Asia from a global perspective.
This issue focuses on how cultural identity and social responsibility can be embodied within architecture and space design, and features three essays and eleven projects that elaborate on this topic. Each essay discusses the social situation in Australia, Malaysia, and India, respectively, as the eleven projects, accompanied with full-color photos and text descriptions, highlight architectural works that include a community center, nursery, hostel block, and cultural museum, among others, to reveal how through these buildings cultural identity is strengthened, or social responsibility is extended.
The studio of an architect is perhaps the most singular project in one’s oeuvre complete. After their own house, it is the second most inward-looking space an architect designs. They are no longer just crafting ideas to meet the requirements proposed by others, but now face their own desires, both as architect and as client. What are the spatial qualities that one needs? How does the space conform to one’s working method? How does the space best stimulate ideas and inspirations? Considering it is the place where those ideas and inspiration are born, how could it be shaped by and speak for them? With essays, projects, and interviews, Architects’ Studios, the 2019 summer volume of Architecture China, offers a look into the studios of 14 outstanding Chinese architects: Atelier FCJZ, ZAO/standardarchitecture, MAD Architects, OPEN Architecture, Atelier Deshaus, Vector Architects, Neri&Hu Design and Research Office, AZL Architects, Archi-Union Architects, Atelier AZ+, People s Architecture Office, Atelier ArchMixing, Original Design Studio, and Naturalbuild. Additionally, Pritzker Prize winner Wang Shu reveals his desk in the cover imagery.
This book, edited by the designer of Shanghai Astronomy Museum, Ennead Architects LLP, is an all-round record of the design and construction process of Shanghai Astronomy Museum, with a foreword written by Ye Shuhua—an astronomer and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and a preface by Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. The main part of the book unfolds from four perspectives: site, concept, realization, and engineering and construction, which describes the process of generating the core form of the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, as well as the design ingenuity of the main functional areas inside. The book presents many beautiful images of the museum, and includes texts by the chief designer, Thomas J. Wong. The designers’ love for the universe and their great enthusiasm for the project contribute to the essence of this book.
Text in English and Chinese.
This new monograph celebrates the creative accomplishments of one of the world’s most influential architects, Cesar Pelli. The book surveys this extraordinary body of work in terms of the AIA’s Gold Medalist’s design, architecture, and planning, tracing Pelli’s motivation as a leading designer and teacher, and the evolution of his work over the span of half a century. More than 50 projects from around the globe – museums, theaters, offices, laboratories, airports, cultural centers, civic works, master plans – are presented in rich full color with insights from Pelli that delve into the design and construction of these landmarks from a practice that has thrived for nearly 40 years.
Architectural exhibition is an important aspect in the study and transmission of architectural culture. The academic thoughts and design styles that influence the trends of global architecture are all established through one or a series of important architectural exhibitions. This book is produced based on the GSD (Harvard Graduate School of Design) autumn exhibition: ‘Towards a Critical Pragmatism: Contemporary Chinese Architecture’. It reveals a unique perspective of contemporary Chinese architecture by showcasing 60 works from 60 contemporary architects within five thematic categories: cultural, residential, regeneration, rural, and digital.
The selected architects attempt to maintain, from the earliest moments of the design process to its finished outcome, a certain level of critical thinking and quality. It is a record of the continuous evolution and growth of contemporary Chinese architecture and hopes to open up a new avenue from which to encourage further conversation regarding both the present and future state of China’s architecture culture.
Focusing on the leading edge architectural designs with regional characteristics, Architecture China is a journal whose mission is to disseminate the creative works of contemporary Chinese architecture, and to deepen an appreciation of Chinese architectural traditions and trends. This inaugural issue, Building a Future Countryside, will serve as the official catalogue of the Pavilion of China at 16th International Architecture Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia. Following the six episodes of the exhibition, the catalogue gives an in-depth presentation of exhibited installations and projects with texts, drawings, diagrams, and photos. In addition to that, essays by Li Xiangning, curator of the Pavilion of China, and Hans-Jürgen Commerell, director of Aedes Architecture Forum in Berlin, are also featured in the catalogue.
Manuelle Gautrand Architecture is a Parisian-based architecture firm founded by Manuelle Gautrand in 1991, sited in the Bastille neighborhood of this exquisite European city. The firm’s key aim is to ‘re-enchant the city’ of Paris by evoking emotion, reinventing spaces, and garnering renewal and innovation – to be bold and definitive. At the core of Gautrand’s creativity lies the approach to each new project through the spirit of a blank canvas, with no à priori. Yet, each of the project that this firm produces expresses a specific relationship to the site: a desire to revive it and enchant; a deep commitment to working on programs entrusted to the firm; ensure efficiency, flexibility and surprise. Each project is a unique and symbolic encounter. Fuelled by shared ideas and prominent for its breadth of practice, this book documents the comprehensive collection of Manuelle Gautrand Architecture’s design solutions. It celebrates the intuitive and stunning designs, and the firm’s commitment to beauty, revival, boldness and precision.
These three volumes describe and illustrate the trilogy of projects that Craig Hamilton has designed at Old Parkland, Dallas, an office campus developed by Crow Holdings. The architecture and sculpture, together with the spaces between buildings, aim to create a working environment inspired by the humanist ideas of the Renaissance. Hamilton’s work there comprises an office building and a bell tower or Campanile on the existing West Campus, together with the entirely new East Campus which occupies a complete city block and comprises of extensive new office accommodation, an orangery restaurant and a small theater. All three projects are rich in architectural and sculptural symbolism.
Hamilton’s understanding and deep respect for both the wider western and American classical traditions of architecture have been a source of inspiration for the work that has been undertaken at Old Parkland.
The volumes include over 150 hand drawings by Craig Hamilton; sketches, models and sculpture by Professor Alexander Stoddart, Sculptor in Ordinary to HM The King in Scotland; photography by Paul Highnam; words by Clive Aslet, visiting professor of Architecture at the University of Cambridge.
Klein Dytham architecture: to Tokyo and Beyond celebrates the Tokyo-based studio famous for its playful yet thoughtful approach to design. This vibrant, comprehensive monograph invites readers to explore 76 projects from KDa’s impressive body of award-winning, multidisciplinary work from around the world.
Blending humor, experimentation, and respect for tradition, these projects range from early works, such as Daikanyama T-SITE in Tokyo and Open House in Bangkok, to more recent works, including the Fender flagship store in Tokyo and a Japanese cypress façade for the Cartier boutique in Osaka. This insightful monograph also highlights the studio’s contributions to global cultural phenomena like PechaKucha Night, and how KDa’s innovative ideas intertwine with the cultural, social, and architectural fabric of Japan.
Thought-provoking narratives explore KDa’s creative process and philosophy, while stunning full-color photography captures the bold and vibrant aesthetics emblematic of KDa’s style. From camouflaging 40-story towers in an alpine resort to transforming a commercial building with intricate, openwork cladding, KDa’s designs have a sense of whimsy that brings joy and curiosity to architecture enthusiasts and observers alike.
From its foundation in 1948, the state of Israel has felt isolated and under threat from enemies. This collective siege mentality manifests itself with over 1 million public and private shelters. The Israelis have integrated these ‘Doomsday spaces’ into their everyday life and transformed them into spaces that look like normal dance studios, bars or temples. For many people in Israel who live with a personal history of exile and persecution, these shelters are the architecture of an existential threat both real and perceived. Adam Reynolds shot the images in this book over the course of three years, from 2013 to 2015. The photographs offer a broad cultural and geographical typology of the shelter spaces by documenting them on either side of the Green Line, throughout Israel and the Occupied Territories, in an effort to offer the broadest survey possible. They straddle the distinct worlds of fine art and reportage. “Working in a country like Israel, it is difficult, if not impossible, to separate art from social reality,” says Adam Reynolds.
In the 1930s Grigory Barkhin became particularly interested in theater architecture, and this culminated in the publication in 1947 of a two-volume work, Architecture of the Theatre. This was the most comprehensive and deeply researched study of theater architecture of the time. The first volume follows a historical timeline, from early classical theaters to some of Europe’s national treasures – La Scala, Opéra Garnier, Vienna State Opera – and the development of theater architecture in the Russian Empire. The second half of the book is devoted entirely to Soviet theater architecture of the pre-war period, in particular the five-star design of the Red Army theater in Moscow, and competition projects for theaters in Rostov-on-Don, Sverdlovsk and Minsk, which Barkhin himself designed with his son Mikhail. These projects can be seen as the cornerstone of the development of Soviet architecture of the time. In this remarkable book, published here in English for the first time, Barkhin sets out a blueprint for architecture that combines an understanding of the subject with a bold and uncompromising vision.
“The well-judged employment of classical detail in a new home has an additional significance that cannot be underestimated. It is an expression of an informed personal choice and an evocation of the delight in the human senses. This is true of all the houses featured in this book.” Jeremy Musson
“The architects and craftsmen that Phillip has featured in this wonderful book all have a love for classical detail. The art is alive and well, as can be attested to in these pages.” David Easton
In The Art of Classical Details, Phillip James Dodd takes a close-up look at some of the finest examples of contemporary classical architecture. The book consists of two chapters: The Essays and The Projects. Starting with a foreword by renowned decorator David Easton, The Essays are written by some of today’s most sought after architects, scholars and craftsmen. Accompanied by sumptuous full page photographs and renderings that illustrate a use of fine materials, intricate detailing, and superb artisanship, these insightful texts are essential reading for anyone with an interest in the theory, practice and craft of classical design. The Projects presents an illustrated look at 25 of today’s finest classically-designed homes. Employing the theories prescribed in the writings of the first chapter, this portfolio of contemporary buildings exhibits the work of some of the most recognizable and celebrated architects in Great Britain and the United States. The work featured in within this book demonstrates the timeless beauty of classicism, and delights in the role that superbly crafted details play in creating art.
The buildings erected in the Deccan region of India belonged to a number of pre-Mughal kingdoms that reigned in the Deccan from the middle of the 14th century onwards. The monuments testify to a culture where local and imported ideas, vernacular and pan-Islamic traditions fused and re-interpreted, to create a majestic architectural heritage with exceptional buildings on the edge of the Islamic world. Many are still standing – yet outside this region of peninsular India, they remain largely unknown. General publications on Indian Islamic architecture usually devote a single chapter to the Deccan. Even specialist monographs can only cover a portion of the region, due to the sheer number of sites. While it is impossible to encompass the full breadth of the subject in a single volume, this book aims to embrace the visual diversity of the Deccan without sacrificing the rigor of academic study. Structures of historical or architectural significance are placed in their context, as the authors discuss building typologies, civic facilities and ornamental techniques, from plaster and carved stone to glazed tiles and mural painting. A chapter is dedicated to each principal Deccan site, interweaving the rise and fall of these cities with a pictorial journey through their ruins, and each building is accompanied by an overhead plan view.
In a follow-up to Design for Kids (Images Publishing, 2007), in Architecture Is Fun Sharon Exley and Peter Exley demonstrate their ethos that architecture is one of the gateways to a more empathetic and equitable future. They believe making accessible places of learning, living, working, and playing are indispensable for human growth and development. This beautifully presented second monograph illustrates a nexus of architecture, education, community, and experience from the practice of Architecture Is Fun.
Architecture China is a journal focusing on the leading architectural design projects with regional characteristic in contemporary China. This 2023 Winter issue of Architecture China, focusing on how a new culture could be constructed through the action of building, showcases 12 newly completed museums or galleries, all of which express certain characters in contemporary Chinese culture. Four essays by Li Xiangning, Stanislaus Fung, Aric Chen, and Jiang Jiawei respectively provide different viewpoints on the topic, and expose critical thinking on cultural events that relate to contemporary China.
New frontiers for media architecture: This compendium explores how digital media is shaping cities today and in the years to come. It illustrates groundbreaking use of light and media in urban environments through 36 winning or shortlisted entries from the Media Architecture Biennale Awards in 2014 and 2016 in five categories: Animated architecture, Money architecture, Participatory architecture & urban interaction, Spatial media art, Future trends & prototypes.
László Hudec (László Edvard Hudec, or Ladislaus Edward Hudec) can only be described as a legend. As one of the foreign architects who fled his native country of Austria-Hungary during troubled times, he ended up making his mark on more than 50 projects, including over 100 buildings during his 29-year (1918 to 1947) stay in a city far away from home.
Among them, 25 projects have been listed as Shanghai’s Most Historical Buildings. His signature work, the Park Hotel, is counted as national heritage. How did Hudec come to enjoy his legendary status in a foreign land, especially as he arrived with almost nothing in his pocket? Why does he continue to attract new followers even in the 21st century?
For the last 14 years, Dr. Hua Xiahong has devoted herself to the study of Hudec and his architecture. The Shanghai Hudec Architecture has shown the essence of Hudec’s projects, which is also one part of the essence of Shanghai’s architecture. To know Hudec, is to know the history of Shanghai and the city’s future.
Like an encyclopaedia of architecture, his style has gone through Neo-classicism, Expressionism, Art Deco and Modernism, which not only reflects European and American influences, but also the architect’s personal creativity. Hudec has left behind a lot of work that is remarkable in Shanghai’s architectural history.
Text in English and Chinese.
Architecture China is a journal focusing on the leading architectural design projects with regional characteristics in contemporary China. This issue focuses on how the architectural tradition is maintained as well as redefined in the contemporary context. Two essays by Li Xiangning, Song Wei & Tian Weijia provide different viewpoints on the topic, and expose critical thinking on how to make a new tradition.
Public markets are the world’s oldest retail trading format. The recent resurgence of public markets is unlocking a new era of market cities, which have sparked urban revitalization and fostered community diversity. This new book will look at the latest developments in market design across the globe, bringing readers up to date with the latest developments and demonstrating ideas, projects, and visions that will offer not only information, but inspiration too.