Once regarded a secondary consideration, in recent years, materiality has emerged as a powerful concept in architectural discourse and practice. Prompted in part by developments in digital fabrication and digital science, the impact of materiality on design and practice is being widely reassessed and reimagined.

Materiality and Architecture extends architectural thinking beyond the confines of current design literatures to explore conceptions of materiality across the field of architecture. Fourteen international contributors use elucidate the problems and possibilities of materiality-based approaches in architecture from interdisciplinary perspectives. The book includes contributions from the professions of architecture, art, architectural history, theory and philosophy, including essays from Gernot Boehme, Jonathan Hill and Philip Ursprung.

Important 'immaterial' aspects such as presentation, agency, ecology and concept are examined, deepening our understanding of materiality's role in architectural processes, the production of cultural identities, the pursuit of political agendas, and the staging of everyday environments and atmospheres. In-depth illustrated case studies examine works by Herzog & de Meuron, Zaha Hadid, and Lacaton & Vassal, interspersed with visual essays and interviews with architects such as MVRDV providing a direct connection to practice. Materiality and Architecture is an important read for researchers and students with an interest in architectural theory and related fields such as art, art history, or visual and cultural studies.

About the Author

Sandra Karina Loeschke is an architect and Director of Architecture Design and Technology at the University of Sydney, Australia. Her research investigates links between material aesthetics and technology in architecture and unfolds across architectural history and theory, and design research. Her architectural work has been exhibited internationally at the Venice Architecture Biennale and exhibitions in Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Sydney. She studied architecture at the Bartlett/UCL, the Architectural Association London and UNSW Australia.

Reviews

'In this timely collection, a distinction emerges between "materials" and "materiality" as that which the substance of building produces in intersection with its environment, users and representations. Exploring diverse conceptual possibilities - from Plato's matter, to Bourriaud's relational aesthetics and Boehme's atmospheres - and through beautifully-considered studies of architectures and artworks, from 18th century country houses in Norfolk to contemporary installations in Mexico - these contributions are a rich and important resource for designers and scholars asking what material can bring to the experience of architecture today.' - Katie Lloyd Thomas, Senior Lecturer and Co-Director of Architecture Research Collaboration, Newcastle University, UK

Book Information
ISBN 9781138840652
Author Sandra Loschke
Format Paperback
Page Count 254
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 440g