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architect, verb: The New Language of Building

1271.000

The Hidden Rules of Architecture: how to build world-class, award winning, creative, innovative, sustainable, liveable and beautiful spaces that foster a sense of place and well being

3 in stock


Author Reinier De Graaf
ISBN 9781839761911
Published Language English
Publication Year 2023
Publisher Verso Books
Binding Hardback
Pages 272
Original Price £16.99
Ships By 3-4 days

Description

“In this perceptive study, Dutch architect Reinier de Graaf expounds on the state of 21st-century architecture. De Graaf’s biting prose rails against the canon of modern architecture, and he interweaves real-world examples throughout. Passionately argued and expertly told, this is a rousing architectural critique.”  Publishers Weekly

Leading architect Reinier de Graaf punctures the myths behind the debates on what contemporary architecture is, with wit and devastating honesty. Architecture, it seems, has become too important to leave to architects. No longer does it suffice to judge a building solely by its appearance, it must be measured, and certified. When architects talk about ‘Excellence’, ‘Sustainability’, ‘Well-being’, ‘Liveability’, ‘Placemaking’, ‘Creativity’, ‘Beauty’ and ‘Innovation’ what do they actually mean?

In Architect, Verb, De Graaf dryly skewers the doublespeak and hot air of an industry in search of an identity in the 21st century. Who determines how to measure a ‘green building’? Why is Vancouver more ‘liveable’ than Vienna? How do developers get away with advertising their buildings as promoting ‘well-being’? Why did Silicon Valley become so obsessed with devising ‘creative’ spaces or developing code that replaces architects? How much revenue can be attributed to the design of public space? Who gets to decide what these measurements should be, and what do they actually mean? And what does it mean for the future of our homes, cities, planet?

He also includes a biting, satirical dictionary of ‘profspeak’: the corporate language of consultants, developers and planners from ‘Active listening’ to “Zoom Readiness”.

Additional information

Author

ISBN

Published Language

Publication Year

Publisher

Binding

Pages

272

Original Price

Ships By

3-4 days