The Future of Architecture in 100 Buildings

Reviewed By  Janet Mawdesley       April 27, 2015

 

Author  Marc Kushner

Distributor:     
ISBN:                 978-1-4711-4176-8
Publisher:         Simon & Schuster UK
Release Date:    

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They come in all shapes and sizes, from the remarkable to the astonishing. From creative to what could be considered as seriously futuristic, the houses of this millennium to date have begun to redefine the standards and scope of architecture like never before.

 Once the playground of the wealthy and almost consisting of an exclusive, abstract lifestyle architecture bloomed in the art deco periods of the 1920 and 30’s, only to sink into the mundane with the occasional dash of brilliance dabbed in between. But with modern building techniques, technology and materials the sky is truly the limit for innovative design which is stimulating and inspirational.

As this new age of sustainability expands the requirements for environmentally workable structures is in high demand. Paralleling this demand is also the hard learned knowledge that the building you live in, work in or play in also needs to deliver just that little bit more than a functional space: it needs to be able to provide for the needs of the community who are involved with the structure.

To this end the 100 projects selected to create this inspiring work all meet the design challenges presented in an interesting and innovative, as well as visual manner.

Each project selected is introduced as a question which needs an answer. The building created fits the criteria and definitely answers all the many questions which these collectively challenging locations provided.

Every continent in the world is represented from the Halley VI Antarctic Research Station to the San Juan Islands off Washington, to the Cardboard Cathedral in Christchurch New Zealand: each one is representative of this new age in design and innovation.

It could almost be considered that the architect is no longer the sole entity when building design is called for, the client or in the case of the Garden Shed which unites in Vancouver, Canada, along with the Favela Painting project in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the public also have a significant influence on the finished project.

So as Marc Kushner says, don’t be a bystander: find an architect you can relate to, who understands your requirements, and can think outside the square, as the end product represents far more than your community, it represents and shapes your society.

Architecture will never be the same again, which is rightly so as all things do change with time. Our environment is constantly changing, as are the requirements and the demands of modern life. It is therefore only fitting that the buildings, which also in time will portray our way of life for future generations, are a fitting reflection of who we are as a society and how we considered the shape of our world and daily existence.