Praxis of Collective Building: Narratives of Philosophy and Construction

New Belgrade was a post-war Yugoslavian society experiment that combined building a city and a country. The philosophy of praxis was developing in both the Yugoslavian and international scenes. Praxis of Collective Building explores the interactions between this school of thought and the histories of architectural construction sites, focusing on voluntary youth actions, participatory prefabrication, and the transfer and adaptation of the Yugoslavian prefabricated system to the Cuban context.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 19 June 2023
Publisher: JOVIS Verlag

New Belgrade emerged as a groundbreaking experiment in both material and social realms for a new society emerging in post-war Yugoslavia. Simultaneously, the philosophy of praxis was gaining traction on both the Yugoslavian and international stages. Praxis of Collective Building delves into the intricate interplay between this philosophical framework and the narratives of architectural construction sites. Through a meticulous examination of the microhistories of construction, the author explores the theoretical challenges of collective production through diverse narratives. These narratives include voluntary youth actions in the construction of New Belgrade, which are analyzed through the lens of Marxian praxis; participatory prefabrication as a response to housing shortages in Yugoslavia; and the transfer and adaptation of the Yugoslavian prefabricated system to the Cuban context by the microbrigade movement. By unraveling these interconnected threads, Praxis of Collective Building offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the complexities and dynamics of collective production in architectural contexts.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 219 x 165 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783868597721