32 / Character

This issue is dedicated to the memory of architect, author, and educator
Stanley Tigerman (1930-2019)
Welcome to the Character issue. In this issue we explore the opportunities of conjuring fictional characters as a device to demonstrate how a building is experienced, what makes a building have or become a character, and why architects formulate their own persona as a quasi-fictional character. Join us as we consider architecture in literary terms in order to reimagine how buildings can communicate with audiences through form, expression, structure, type, decoration, experience, narrative, and metaphor.
Contributions by Ellie Abrons, Joseph Altshuler, Jon Astbury, Gem Barton, T.E. Cames, Jimmy Carter, Design With Company, elii, Grant Gibson, Iker Gil, Joanna Grant, Jason Griffiths, Brian Guido, Stewart Hicks, Andrew Holder, Sam Jacob, Julia Jamrozik, Max Jarosz, Ania Jaworska, María Jerez, Coryn Kempster, Jimenez Lai, Morris Lesser, Eu Jin Lim, John McMorrough, Julia McMorrough, Michael Meredith, Norell/Rodhe, Office of Political Innovation, Zack Ostrowski, Joanne Preston, Paul Redmond, Colin Rowe, Adrian Shaughnessy, Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, Joshua G. Stein, Stanley Tigerman, and Tania Tovar Torres.
Issue designed by Jimmy Luu.
Issue 32 Introduction
Introduction by Iker Gil, Editor in Chief of MAS ContextWhy We Got Into Character
Essay by Design With CompanyCharacter and Composition, A Response
Text and project by Design With CompanyThe Space of Representations
Sam Jacob in conversation with Stewart HicksCharacter Plotting
Text and diagrams by Joseph AltshulerMichael Meredith Wants to Be Horizontal and Fuzzy
Stewart Hicks interviews Michael MeredithAssemblages of Ordinary Life
Text by Iker Gil. Chronology by Office of Political Innovation.Growing up Modern: A Family Story
Text and photographs by Julia Jamrozik and Coryn KempsterMicro-Modifications:
Stories of Dingbat Dwellers
Text by Joshua G. Stein. Photographs by Paul Redmond.The Classy Order
Project by Ania Jawarska in collaboration with Zack OstrowskiPlaying With Paint and Space
Adrian Shaughnessy interviews Barbara Stauffacher SolomonLooking to Introduce Something Inconvenient
Stewart Hicks interviews Jimenez Lai. Photographs by Brian Guido.Legendary Acts
Essay by Ellie AbronsDead Ringers
Project by Norell/RodheGetting Cute
Text and project by Joanna GrantMakin’ It
Script by Julia and John McMoroughMy Dad is Better Than Yours Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Interviews with Three Shortlisted Contestants at the 9th Annual Architecture Awards
Text by Gem BartonAlma de Rímel & The Glammatics
Project by María Jerez and eliiCharacter and the Character
Essay by Andrew HolderBreaking Bad:
When Architecture is Turned into a Criminal
Essay by Tania Tovar TorresCharacter and Cities of To-morrow
Essay by Joanne PrestonI on the Streets
Project and images by Jason GriffithsDrawing Soane’s
Text and drawings by Eu Jin LimIs Romanticism Alive and Well and Living in America?
A review by Morris LesserConstruction of an Architect
Essay by Jimmy CarterThe Forensic Criticism of N. Ratsby in The Architectural Review
Essay by Jon AstburyLequeu’s Characters
Essay by Max JaroszIntroducing the Black Bird
A conversation between architect Grant Gibson and his late partner T.E. Cames