Ben Van Berkel – författare

In these rapidly changing times, we are increasingly embracing change and innovation; we deviate, modify, shift and pivot to challenge long-accepted norms. Transformation is everywhere, at all times. Transformation is also the central topic in the architectural profession and the built environment. It can be evidenced in concepts and ideas, in awareness, appearance, form, character, nature or culture.This year, the Zumtobel Group commissioned the international architecture practice UNStudio to create their annual report for 2021/2022, adding to the Austrian lighting company’s unique oeuvre of yearly published art books. As a collaboration with graphic design duo Bloemendaal & Dekkers, this year’s publication presents a design reflection on the theme of transformation. Using illustrations drawn from the work of UNStudio over the past thirty years, the book presents a visual investigation into the creative process, and demonstrates how ideas and concepts are developed by the practice into physical form. Through a similar thought process, the book itself is designed to undergo its own metamorphosis.

A NEW MANIFOLD, the inaugural issue of SAC JOURNAL, addres- ses the increased specialisation and possible fragmentation of ex- pertise within architecture. Whilst historically always an amalgam of numerous forms of input, architecture is currently facing the necessi- ty to assimilate and process hitherto unknown amounts and rates of information flow. How can architecture relate to the emerging forms of specialisation within the discipline - not the least in its pedagogy and academic programmes? The issue uses the academic programme of the Städelschule Architecture Class to reflect on these questions. The work presented comprises the finalists for the AIV Master Thesis Prize 2013.