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 issueThe Only Possible World
Essay by architect and writer Paul ShepheardArchitecture Without Idealism (Of A Sort)
Essay and project by John Szot, designer and founder of John Szot StudioGame of Ornaments
Vladimir Belogolovsky interviews Jürgen Mayer H., founder and principal of the cross-disciplinary studio J. Mayer H. ArchitectsMetropol Parasol
Essay by Ethel Baraona Pohl from dpr-barcelona. Photographs by Antonio RulBoom Bust Rubble Dust
Essay by Tom Keeley, artist, printmaker, writer and co-author of the fanzine project GOTerrible Beauty
Essay by architect and educator Lebbeus Woods followed by an interview with him by John SzotCities
Illustrations by Atelier OlschinskyDysfunctional Landmarks
Projects by Emilio López-GaliachoWeak Networks and Movement Scales in Architecture
Essay by Michael Chen, principal of Normal Projects and a faculty member at Pratt Institute School of ArchitectureSomething Exceptional
Projects by Luis Urculo, architect and founder of Estudio Luis UrculoF*ck Your Tectonics
Profile and interview with NYC’S Formlessfinder by John SzotUnseen Realities
Illustrations by the Freise BrothersImmanent Cartography
Essay and photographs by Nick Axel