Paper Architecture, Emerging Urbanism

The great recession is inspiring a new generation of paper architecture (digitally produced, of course), as underemployed and often university-based designers propose speculative solutions to unfolding environmental crises and new infrastructural needs. Architect Tim Love see an opportunity to ground this speculative work in the realities of urban design, "to realign progressive practice with academic inquiry." And more, he sees an opportunity for architects to forge productive new links with landscape architects and to create "a complementary urban vision that would match that of the landscape urbanists in realism and intensity."
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MEENA KADRI

People's Way: Urban Mobility in Ahmedabad

Bus rapid transit — pioneered decades ago, most famously in Curitiba, Brazil — isn't as sexy or telegenic as light rail, yet it might be the more promising alternative to the car, with some researchers arguing that BRT systems are not only cheaper but also more efficient than rail networks. Here New Zealand-based design writer Meena Kadri reports on Janmarg — the People's Way — the new BRT system in Ahmedabad, India, a system that manages to mix transit innovation and traditional culture, and even offers yoga classes to the drivers.
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MIMI ZEIGER

Two Feet High and Rising: On Optimism, Speculation and Oysters

The creative adaptation of New York Harbor in the face of rising sea levels: this is the kind of large urban-ecological design challenge we might confront as a result of global warming, and it is precisely the challenge taken up by Rising Currents: Projects for New York's Waterfront, now on exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. Speculative in nature — and definitely not "shovel ready" — the proposals that make up the exhibition were created during a three-month design charrette at P.S.I Contemporary Art Center. As Mimi Zeiger explains in her review, this was an unusual, even risky, process for a museum exhibition.
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PLACES ARCHIVE: WINTER 2009

Infrastructural Optimism

Learning from New Orleans, or why we really need a new New Deal.
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PARTNER SCHOOL

Pratt Institute, School of Architecture
The work of the students here at Pratt shows a clear appreciation and understanding of the possibilities of architecture today, as the mission of the school is dedicated to design and a complete understanding of the making of cities and buildings. The spirit of advancing architectural ideas in terms of both form and technique is at the essence of the transformation of contemporary design.

RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED

Open City: Designing Coexistence
Jennifer Sigler & Tim Rieniets

Reading the American Landscape: An Index of Books and Images
Lex ter Braak, David Hamers, Anne Hoogewoning, Erik de Jong, Frank van der Salm, Dirk Sijmons and Hanneke Schreiber

Boomtown 2050: Scenarios for a Rapidly Growing City
Richard Weller


WEEKLY EMAIL: APRIL 21, 2010
FEATURED THIS WEEK : TIM LOVE Paper Architecture, Emerging Urbanism The great recession is inspiring a new generation of paper architecture (digitally produced, of course), as underemployed and often university-based designers propose speculative solutions to unfolding environmental crises and new infrastructural needs. Architect Tim Love see an opportunity to ground this speculative work in the realities of urban design, "to realign progressive practice with academic inquiry." And more, he sees an opportunity for architects to forge productive new links with landscape architects and to create "a complementary urban vision that would match that of the landscape urbanists in realism and intensity." READ MORE
MEENA KADRI People's Way: Urban Mobility in Ahmedabad Bus rapid transit — pioneered decades ago, most famously in Curitiba, Brazil — isn't as sexy or telegenic as light rail, yet it might be the more promising alternative to the car, with some researchers arguing that BRT systems are not only cheaper but also more efficient than rail networks. Here New Zealand-based design writer Meena Kadri reports on Janmarg — the People's Way — the new BRT system in Ahmedabad, India, a system that manages to mix transit innovation and traditional culture, and even offers yoga classes to the drivers. READ MORE MIMI ZEIGER Two Feet High and Rising: On Optimism, Speculation and Oysters The creative adaptation of New York Harbor in the face of rising sea levels: this is the kind of large urban-ecological design challenge we might confront as a result of global warming, and it is precisely the challenge taken up by Rising Currents: Projects for New York's Waterfront, now on exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. Speculative in nature — and definitely not "shovel ready" — the proposals that make up the exhibition were created during a three-month design charrette at P.S.I Contemporary Art Center. As Mimi Zeiger explains in her review, this was an unusual, even risky, process for a museum exhibition. READ MORE		BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK \| FOLLOW US ON TWITTER PLACES ARCHIVE: WINTER 2009 Infrastructural Optimism Learning from New Orleans, or why we really need a new New Deal. READ MORE PARTNER SCHOOL Pratt Institute, School of Architecture The work of the students here at Pratt shows a clear appreciation and understanding of the possibilities of architecture today, as the mission of the school is dedicated to design and a complete understanding of the making of cities and buildings. The spirit of advancing architectural ideas in terms of both form and technique is at the essence of the transformation of contemporary design. RECENT BOOKS RECEIVED Open City: Designing Coexistence Jennifer Sigler & Tim Rieniets Reading the American Landscape: An Index of Books and Images Lex ter Braak, David Hamers, Anne Hoogewoning, Erik de Jong, Frank van der Salm, Dirk Sijmons and Hanneke Schreiber Boomtown 2050: Scenarios for a Rapidly Growing City Richard Weller
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