The Architecture Concept Book: An inspirational guide to creative ideas, strategies and practices

Description

Inspired by the complexity and heterogeneity of the world around us, by the rise of new technologies and their associated behaviours, The Architecture Concept Book seeks to stimulate young architects and students to think outside of what is often a rather conservative and self-perpetuating professional domain, and to be influenced by everything around them. Organized into four central themes, the book explores 32 architectural concepts, or strategies, which cover wide-ranging and not always architecturally centred subjects. These progress from such notions as disorder, function and memory, to basic architectural components such as the wall, roof, stair and services, to social phenomena such as influence and respect, before concluding with texts on reviewing, optimising and economising. The aim is to create more thoughtful architects for the Digital Age. Each theme is accompanied by photographs, plans, and illustrations specially drawn by the author to explain spatial ideas, from the small-scale to the urban. In a compact format, the words and pictures come together to create a reference source to which students and young professionals will return again and again.

Winner of the 2008 RIBA and RIAS Silver Medals, James Tait has since been a regular guest critic at the University of Strathclyde and led various design workshops within practice and academia. James has also exhibited his work extensively in Scotland, London and the Far East. At present, James is a studio tutor at the Mackintosh School of Architecture at the Glasgow School of Art.

'Tait takes us on a complex and personal journey that reflects his own fascination with the intangible elements that create great architecture (or not)' - RIBA Journal 'An insightful primer for students and young professionals looking to formulate and develop enduring architectural design strategies... Tait offers clear guidance on how to assess, analyze, augment and assemble meaningful architectural experiences... [His] greatest strength is his ability to unpack and demystify the discussion surrounding the architectural design process. Written in a straightforward style, his book is a refreshing break from the scholarly jargon and esoteric hyperbole so common in architectural publications' - Canadian Architect