12 / Aberration
Winter 2011
If firmness, utility, and delight are the enduring pinnacles of architectural achievement, then it would appear architecture’s moral destiny is a foregone conclusion. But is it possible that opportunities for valuable cultural insight are being lost out of deference to this legacy? We examine forces, trends, and ideas that enhance the significance of the built environment despite, or due to, their deviant nature.
Contributions by Atelier Olschinsky, Nick Axel, Ethel Baraona Pohl, Vladimir Belogolovsky, Michael Chen, formlessfinder, The Freise Brothers, Iker Gil, Tom Keeley, Emilio López-Galiacho, Jürgen Mayer H., Antonio Rull, Paul Shepheard, John Szot, Lebbeus Woods, and Luis Urculo who is also the cover designer.
Issue 12 Introduction
Issue statement by Iker Gil, editor in chief of MAS Context, and John Szot, guest editor of this issue
The Only Possible World
Essay by architect and writer Paul Shepheard
Architecture Without Idealism (Of A Sort)
Essay and project by John Szot, designer and founder of John Szot Studio
Game of Ornaments
Vladimir Belogolovsky interviews Jürgen Mayer H., founder and principal of the cross-disciplinary studio J. Mayer H. Architects
Metropol Parasol
Essay by Ethel Baraona Pohl from dpr-barcelona. Photographs by Antonio Rul
Boom Bust Rubble Dust
Essay by Tom Keeley, artist, printmaker, writer and co-author of the fanzine project GO
Terrible Beauty
Essay by architect and educator Lebbeus Woods followed by an interview with him by John Szot
Cities
Illustrations by Atelier Olschinsky
Dysfunctional Landmarks
Projects by Emilio López-Galiacho
Weak Networks and Movement Scales in Architecture
Essay by Michael Chen, principal of Normal Projects and a faculty member at Pratt Institute School of Architecture
Something Exceptional
Projects by Luis Urculo, architect and founder of Estudio Luis Urculo
F*ck Your Tectonics
Profile and interview with NYC’S Formlessfinder by John Szot
Unseen Realities
Illustrations by the Freise Brothers
Immanent Cartography
Essay and photographs by Nick Axel