Volume Issue 11: Cities Unbuilt
Out now!
Volume is a collaborative project by
Archis + AMO + C-Lab
http://www.volumeproject.org
Subscriptions/purchase
http://volumeproject.org
‘Destruction is no longer the outcome of blind rage, but increasingly a matter of meticulous calculation. Destruction has become an alternative architecture’
Ole Bouman
‘Cities Unbuilt’ is the first comprehensive research on the architecture of destruction. This issue offers a detailed analysis on spatial and social implications of destruction in various parts of the world and discusses issues around migration and displacement, ‘warchitecture’ and ‘post-warchitecture’, counter-heritage, cultural interventions and post-conflict reconstruction strategies.
While architectural records regularly hit the news with positive developments – even higher towers, smarter technologies, stunning designs, and iconic buildings – the general daily news is negative: man-made destruction caused by conflict and war and natural disasters make up large parts of the news’ content. Remarkably there is no discourse on these subjects within the global professional community of architects, yet there is a strong correlation between destruction – the unbuilding of cities – and the construction of buildings.
In this age of realism destruction marks a dramatic proliferation of the unbuilding of cities worldwide challenging the traditional notion of architecture as the vehicle of hope and progress. Volume explores the less discussed creative sides of destruction, a realm where architecture and design play an important part. Volume shows how they are engaged in destruction, but also what options architecture has to confront these situations. Even in destruction there is hope.
Three Cahiers are central to this issue – Cahier South Caucasus, Cahier Kosovo and Cahier Lebanon – framed by a series of introductory essays by Ole Bouman, Robert Bevan, Ester Charlesworth, Caroline Arnulf, Andrew Herscher and the concluding creative agenda with contributions by Christian Ernsten and Malkit Shoshan, Nick Shepherd and Kai Vöckler amongst others.
Introduction
The Architecture of Destruction (Editorial) – Ole Bouman
Cultural Cleansing – Robert Bevan
Ghost Buildings – Reineke Otten
Architects Should Act! – Esther Charlesworth
To Leave and Let Live. The impact of migration and remittances on war-torn cities – Caroline Arnulf
World Bank Cities – Andrew Herscher
Maps on Reconstruction – F.A.S.T.
Frozen Memories – Gerlinde Schuller
Cahier South Caucasus
Destruction and Displacement
Introduction: Design for Displacement
Humancon Undercon – Sophia Tabatadze
Dynamics of the South Caucasus Borders – F.A.S.T.
Barda’s Boundaries. Temporary homes and the politics of displacement –Malkit Shoshan, Christian Ernsten
Extreme Makeover. The reconstruction of post-Soviet Karabakh – Malkit Shoshan, Christian Ernsten
Photos Dirk-Jan Visser
Cahier Kosovo
Destruction and Illegal Building
Introduction: Kosovo Constructions
Warchitecture/Post-Warchitecture – Andrew Herscher
Invisible Architects – Florina Jerliu
Archis Interventions in Prishtina – Kai Vöckler c.s.
also check the Unbuilt Prishtina blog
Cahier Lebanon
Destruction and Exclusion
Introduction: All Exclusive
City Blogging
Solidere and the Perpetual Reinvention of Downtown Beirut – Michael Stanton
Manic Machines – Christiaan Fruneaux
Public Space Invaders – Joost Janmaat
Design With War in Mind
The Architect’s Dilemma
Photos Aukje Dekker
Pearls for Lebanon – Ole Bouman
Noise Magazine – Studio Beirut also check the Unbuilt Lebanon blog
Agenda
Violence, Destruction and International Law. An interview with Andrew Herscher – Christian Ernsten, Malkit Shoshan
Counter Convention – Andrew Herscher
UNESCO World Heritage – F.A.S.T.
Urban Imaginaries andMemories of Violence. Cape Town’s Prestwich Street – Nick Shepherd, Christian Ernsten
Lifta after Zionist Planning – Malkit Shoshan
Stateless Urbanism – Kai Vöckler
Towards Non-Destructive Aid – Niloufar Tajeri
Planning for Uncertain Cities. Towards an urban post-conflict strategy – W. Hackenbroich, T. Fuchs, K. Vöckler
Artists and New Urban Horizons – Chris Keulemans
Architecture Extended to Its Contrary (Photonovela) – Christophe Catsaros
FACTS
editor in chief Ole Bouman
contributing editors Rem Koolhaas, Mark Wigley
managing editor Arjen Oosterman
publisher Archis Foundation
format 20.9x29.5, 160 pages (no ads)
