Activism at Home: Architects dwelling between politics, aesthetics and resistance

Activism at Home explores architect-led experiments in activist living, highlighting alternative living solutions to rising real estate prices, economic inequality, social alienation, and environmental and cultural challenges. It encourages architects to use their disciplines' tools to their full potential and scholars to focus on architectures' activist practices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 23 August 2021
Publisher: JOVIS Verlag

Activism at Home presents a distinctive exploration of architects' own residences, meticulously crafted to convey profound social, political, economic, and cultural critiques. Comprising thirty in-depth case studies authored by architectural scholars, this book showcases diverse manifestations of activism at home, spanning from the early twentieth century to the present day. The architect-led experiments in activist living explored herein encompass the dwellings of notable figures such as Ralph Erskine, Paulo Mendes Da Rocha, Charles Moore, Flora Ruchat-Roncati, and Kiyoshi Seike, among many others.

Beyond serving as a historical examination, Activism at Home extends beyond mere documentation, serving as an ardent appeal to architects to harness the full potential of their disciplines. It implores scholars to persistently highlight the activist practices of architects, whether within the confines of their homes or in broader contexts.

Through its compelling narratives and insightful analyses, this book offers candid appraisals of alternative living solutions that seek to address the escalating costs of real estate, economic disparities, social isolation, and mounting environmental and cultural challenges. It serves as a catalyst for architects to embrace their role as change agents, leveraging their expertise to design and construct dwellings that not only meet functional requirements but also actively contribute to the betterment of society.

Moreover, Activism at Home serves as a call to action for scholars to continue to shed light on the multifaceted practices of architects, recognizing their profound impact on the built environment and society as a whole. By delving deeper into the activism of architects, we can gain valuable insights into the potential for architectural design to shape a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient world.

Weight: 904g
Dimension: 172 x 247 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783868596335