From the foldable home to the blow-up inhabitable spaces, a daring spiritervades each project in this collection of creative solutions in mobilerchitecture. All projects are illustrated with colour photographs, withccompanying floor plans and information provided by the architects andesigners.

"FOBA has reached far beyond the aesthetics of minimalism in vogue with most other young, contemporary Japanese architects. FOBA: Buildings, the first monograph on this Kyoto-based firm, features ten projects of surprising range, with undulating lines, overlapping cubes, interpenetrating forms, and unexpected juxtapositions. Included in the monograph are Aura, whose gently curving planes glow serenely in the heart of chaotic Tokyo: Pleats, composed of interior boxes nested asymmetrically within its shell; Strata, a microcosm of the city created by the accumulation of seemingly disparate elements; and Stack, whose carefully misaligned volumes shape unexpected spaces. This collection of FOBA's buildings reveals a spectrum of architecture that is as subtle and simple as it is inviting, provocative, inspired, and complex." "The book also chronicles the FOB Homes system, an unexpectedly individual and creative response to the generic mass-produced prefabricated housing available in Japan. With five basic prototypes that can be easily adapted to any site or client, FOB Homes redefines the concept of standardized housing as anything but standard. FOBA's simple, neutral white boxes counter the visual, chaos of contemporary Japan and offer the elegance and experience of "architecture" to the general public - the reunion of modernist aesthetics with the modernist ideology of democratic, affordable design."--BOOK JACKET.

Architects write a lot, especially now when conceptual aspects have become central in the advanced reflections and narrative forms increasingly intersect the quest of design practices far an ultimate legitimation. In the growing mass of the publishing offer, these keywords try to highlight recurrent issues, tracking synthetic paths of orientation between different critical positions, with particular attention to what happens in the neighbouring fields of the arts and sciences.

This book discusses the forerunners, present context, and technology of portable architecture. It documents numerous international examples, organized by areas of application, and offers a broad array of suggestions for practical design.

This well illustrated text forms a critical appraisal of the place and direction of architecture and urban design in a new world order at the start of the 21st century. The book defines architectural and environmental goals for the New Age by analysing recent contemporary work for its responsiveness to important social and environmental issues and comparing it to successful precedents in architecture. It argues that this new sustainable approach to architecture should be recognised as a new development of mainstream architectural history. This practical guide illustrates current social and natural resource issues to aid architects in their approach to future design. Environmental economics is presented as a potential bridge over the divide between the expectations of the business sector and the concerns of environmental lobbies. Through examples and case studies, an accessible analysis of carefully researched data, drawn from primary sources over four continents, allows the author to outline the current urgency for architects and urban designers to respond with real commitment to current and future changing contexts. This book expresses a holistic vision and proposes a value system in response to the diagnosis. It includes: sound architectural and environmental ethics; end user involvement in the design process and technological advances aimed at sustainable resource use. Includes international case studies from Europe, North America, the Developing world including South Africa, South America and Central Asia.

"Prefab Architecture . . . is beyond theory, and beyond most of what we think we know about pods, containers, mods, and joints. This book is more than 'Prefabrication 101.' It is the Joy of Cooking writ large for the architecture and construction industries." From the Foreword by James Timberlake, FAIA THE DEFINITIVE REFERENCE ON PREFAB ARCHITECTURE FOR ARCHITECTS AND CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS Written for architects and related design and construction professionals, Prefab Architecture is a guide to off-site construction, presenting the opportunities and challenges associated with designing and building with components, panels, and modules. It presents the drawbacks of building in situ (on-site) and demonstrates why prefabrication is the smarter choice for better integration of products and processes, more efficient delivery, and realizing more value in project life cycles. In addition, Prefab Architecture provides: A selected history of prefabrication from the Industrial Revolution to current computer numerical control, and a theory of production from integrated processes to lean manufacturing Coverage on the tradeoffs of off-site fabrication including scope, schedule, and cost with the associated principles of labor, risk, and quality Up-to-date products featuring examples of prefabricated structure, enclosure, service, and nterior building systems Documentation on the constraints and execution of manufacturing, factory production, transportation, and assembly Dozens of recent examples of prefab projects by contemporary architects and fabricators including KieranTimberlake, SHoP Architects, Office dA, Michelle Kaufmann, and many others In Prefab Architecture, the fresh approaches toward creating buildings that accurately convey ature and expanded green building methodologies make this book an important voice for adopting change in a construction industry entrenched in traditions of the past.

Integrate key information to facilitate optimal design solutions Essential for any working architect, Architectural Design Portable Handbook guides you through projects every step of the way, summarizing, synthesizing, and systematizing the core tasks of design. Developed by noted architect Andy Pressman, this handy take-along reference is certain to become an indispensable tool. You’ll find value-added features such as quick tips and case studies, quotes from leading architects, checklists, and a customizable layout that encourages you to add your own helpful notes and reminders. And that’s in addition to expert, time- and error-sparing information on: * Design strategies * Site analysis methods * The use of CAD and other graphics * Working with clients * User-needs evaluation * Data compilation * Concept development * Exploring design alternatives * Computing and design * Presentations * More!

Ideal for those who have been commissioned, or are in competition, who want to learn about the very latest developments and trends in the area. New introductions to each section focus the remit of the book and make it a complete and comprehensive guide to the topic.