New international publication: Towards an Ecology of Tectonics

As a result of the research project Towards a Tectonic Sustainable Building Practice the anthology Towards an Ecology of Tectonics- The Need for Rethinking Construction in Architecture is published by the German publishing house Edition Axel Menges.

The book is in English and presents 13 essays by acknowledged researchers and practising architects. The research project has been funded by The Danish Council for Independent Research – Humanities and spans across three of the most important research institutions within the field in Denmark: Aarhus School of Architecture, Danish Building Research Institute/Aalborg University and CINARK – Centre of Industrialised Architecture KADK.

The book will be launched at a reception held at the KADK Library Friday 28. November 14-16. After the book launch the book will be for sale at the library.

Description
The global resources situation and the climate crisis are amongst the biggest challenges faced by mankind today. In the years to come, these issues will no doubt have an influence on societal evolution, on urban and rural land development, and how we define our cultural identities. These and related issues will have a major impact on the design of buildings. Equally important in terms of its impact on architectural quality is the challenge posed by the continuous growth of industrialisation. The move from craft-based construction methods to computer controlled production processes now used in industrialised manufacturing has resulted in an “assembly architecture” that no longer depends on the locally available materials, on local building traditions or on the specific physical context.
In this book, ideas, design principles and practices that relate to tectonics in architecture are explored, and a series of themes are discussed in relation to various concepts of ecology. Ecology is, in this case, defined in its widest sense, which includes the cycling of resources, systems of social organisation and the environmental context. Tectonics – a concept with a long tradition in architecture and architectural theory – is comparable to ecology. It relates to the design and assembly of structural elements, and implies a holistic approach to materials, to construction technology and to the design of structures. It is more than merely an instrumental strategy: it extends into the poetic, which elevates it to the status of a cultural practice.
With a collection of 13 essays by academic experts and practicing architects the book provides the first comprehensive representation of contemporary tectonic thought and practices in architecture.

Editors
Anne Beim, KADK
Ulrik Stylsvig Madsen, KADK

Authors
Claus Bech-Danielsen, SBi / Aalborg Universitet
Charlotte Bundgaard, Arkitektskolen Aarhus
Johan Celsing, Johan Celsing Arkitektkontor
Karl Christiansen, C
Jonathan Hale, University of Notthingham
Bijoy Jain, Studio Mumbai
Thomas Bo Jensen, KADK
David Leatherbarrow, University of Pennsylvania
Fredrik Nilsson, Chalmers Tekniska Högskola
Ole Egholm Pedersen, Arkitektskolen Aarhus
Børre Skodvin, Jensen & Skodvin Architects
Peter Thorsen, Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter

Link
The webpage of the research project