Book Review: PA27/28
Pamphlet Architecture 27: Tooling by Benjamin Aranda and Chris Lasch, published by Princeton Architectural Press, 2005. (Amazon)
Pamphlet Architecture 28: Augmented Landscapes by Mark Smout and Laura Allen, published by Princeton Architectural Press, 2007. (Amazon)
The two latest contributions to the successful Pamphlet Architecture books both present young practices with strong contributions to architectural discourse, though each in their own unique ways. Aranda & Lasch's young practice focuses on algorithms as generators of architectural form and process; in effect they are recreating architectural practice for the computer-minded generations. Smout Allen (PDF link), on the other hand, are landscape architects with a complex and almost intuitive grasp of understanding and treating the environment, the apparent antithesis of Aranda & Lasch.
Number 27 is titled Tooling, a term that recalls implements that predate computers, though it could just as easily encompass the computer when it is seen as incessant experimenting with whatever tools one uses. The seven projects included in the book present seven ways of experimenting: spiraling, packing, weaving, blending, cracking, flocking, tiling. As part of each project they explicitly define the algorithmic means for each maneuver and, of course, following up with the outcome of that maneuver on a specific program. Notable ones include their 10-Mile Spiral outside Las Vegas, a traffic device that combines driving with the city's raison d'etre, gambling; and their unselected scheme for the PS1 courtyard that would have created a grotto from modular "boulders" comprising both structure and surface.
Number 28 is titled Augmented Landscapes, another fitting title for a young British duo who haven't yet built any commissions, but who create some of the most beautiful and drawings and models to come along in a while. These both express an understanding of the landscape as something manipulated by humans, splintering the human-nature dichotomy that prevails to this day. They are not naive enough to strive for a nature free from human influence; rather they acknowledge the extent of our actions and look for the positive in that potential. Their projects presented range from the small (a kite farm, a market) to the large (a large area of the Nessodden Peninsula in Southern Norway), though the attention to detail is consistent throughout. It is inspirational fare, even if a great deal of it is indecipherable.
Sure, these two Pamphlet Architectures are very different from each other, but what is that but an expression of the state of affairs? Society and culture today are able to embrace such divergent philosophies that are rooted in their own creative approaches to site, technique, and other considerations. It's one of the reasons why we buy Pamphlet Architecture and why it keeps going year after year.
Pamphlet Architecture 28: Augmented Landscapes by Mark Smout and Laura Allen, published by Princeton Architectural Press, 2007. (Amazon)
The two latest contributions to the successful Pamphlet Architecture books both present young practices with strong contributions to architectural discourse, though each in their own unique ways. Aranda & Lasch's young practice focuses on algorithms as generators of architectural form and process; in effect they are recreating architectural practice for the computer-minded generations. Smout Allen (PDF link), on the other hand, are landscape architects with a complex and almost intuitive grasp of understanding and treating the environment, the apparent antithesis of Aranda & Lasch.
Number 27 is titled Tooling, a term that recalls implements that predate computers, though it could just as easily encompass the computer when it is seen as incessant experimenting with whatever tools one uses. The seven projects included in the book present seven ways of experimenting: spiraling, packing, weaving, blending, cracking, flocking, tiling. As part of each project they explicitly define the algorithmic means for each maneuver and, of course, following up with the outcome of that maneuver on a specific program. Notable ones include their 10-Mile Spiral outside Las Vegas, a traffic device that combines driving with the city's raison d'etre, gambling; and their unselected scheme for the PS1 courtyard that would have created a grotto from modular "boulders" comprising both structure and surface.
Number 28 is titled Augmented Landscapes, another fitting title for a young British duo who haven't yet built any commissions, but who create some of the most beautiful and drawings and models to come along in a while. These both express an understanding of the landscape as something manipulated by humans, splintering the human-nature dichotomy that prevails to this day. They are not naive enough to strive for a nature free from human influence; rather they acknowledge the extent of our actions and look for the positive in that potential. Their projects presented range from the small (a kite farm, a market) to the large (a large area of the Nessodden Peninsula in Southern Norway), though the attention to detail is consistent throughout. It is inspirational fare, even if a great deal of it is indecipherable.
Sure, these two Pamphlet Architectures are very different from each other, but what is that but an expression of the state of affairs? Society and culture today are able to embrace such divergent philosophies that are rooted in their own creative approaches to site, technique, and other considerations. It's one of the reasons why we buy Pamphlet Architecture and why it keeps going year after year.
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