I am running out of material that fits my criteria to read on the commute to and from the office; mostly size derived so as to fit quickly into my bag and also not be too cumbersome to read while standing up. I suppose my future reading selections will have to be made in this manner. I am attempting to read larger materials at home but with the constant desire to enjoy the nicer weather coupled with working on interesting things in my off hours, time to sit on the porch and read is scarce. Here's to next month.
CLOG:Brutalism - This quarter's edition of CLOG focused on the style and theory of Brutalism. Having fought to protect Marcel Bruer's Ameritrust Tower from Cuyahoga's Couty's wrecking ball it has a special place in my heart. CLOG contained the usual mastery of well conceived and written pieces and was guest edited by Michael Abrahamson, currently a Doctoral Candidate at University of Michigan, who has a personal vested interest in Brutalism which he shares on his blog Fuck Yeah Brutalism. CLOG continues to appease me and I find myself constantly looking forward to the next issue. 9/10
LOG:25 - The highlight of this issue (for me) was the interview between Negri and Roche.
This is Hybrid - a+t: This primer was a go to source for teaching second year as the first project, first semester typically included an aggregated residential program mixed with some sort of commercial program in order to begin having the students explore private/public relationships and the idea of approach/entry. This is Hybrid offers very quick descriptions of multiple large scale mixed use projects and proposals coupled with a+t's prolific and excellent diagramming. The projects require analyzing the accompanying photos, drawings and diagrams to supplement the provided text and ideas. 8/10
The Architecture of Happiness: Alian de Botton - A quick and easy read on the importance of understanding how personal (world)views can influence design to the potential detriment of the client. Corbu receives a slight flogging for Villa Savoy as Botton attempts to espouse the importance of balancing two of the main tenants of Architecture, aesthetics and functionality (Vitruvius anyone?). There is some interesting roleplaying here, seeing the project as evolved from the designer's eye and then from the response of the client, something that should in no way be alien to good designers, but something that is often overlooked by the mediocrity that surrounds us. At first read it seems light and playful, but there is some hidden snark that should cause those of us familiar with the vocation to take a pause and ponder on what is truly being discussed. 8/10
Blue Cats and Chartreuse Kittens: How Synethestes Color Their World: Patrica Lynne Duffy - While aware of synthesia I admit I hadn't given it much thought until recently. Blue Cats explores the world of citizens who react to certain stimuli with multiple senses (eg see music as colors, taste sounds, etc.) from the view of a an author who is synethestes (I know I am going to missue the application of the word 'synethesia' as an adjective or pronoun, and I apologize for that). Regardless Blue Cats provides a very interesting look at information coding and sensory perception from an unfamiliar vantage point. Using personal anecdotes, memories and color plates for visual explanation one can start to attempt to imagine how the world of synethesia could appear. I admit I find the theories regarding language making, pattern recognition and recall mnemonics extremely interesting so Duffy's contribution was very relevant and actually quite enjoyable. Provided at the end of the book are links (potentially slightly outdated) for future research. 8/10
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