Ever present in the forum of architectural discourse, WORKac is known not only for their playful and well-developed projects, but also for their exhibits, installations and publications that all have a message: architecture has the power to change the way we live. Most recently, they’ve participated in the Chicago Architecture Biennial, re-producing famous speculative drawings by Antfarm to illustrate alternative ways of living. Even before that however, WORKac has been shifting its focus on the impact of architecture on the environment, looking at the way city planning and housing could improve to lessen our damage to the earth. Their book, 49 cities, explores the plans and strategies of its namesake to speculate on how we can begin to improve our own, current cities, while their exhibit at the MoMA PS1 event, “Foreclosed: Rehousing the American Dream” advertised a potential “Nature City” that could change the way we live.
In the past, we’ve spoken to WORKac about their direction, office and work, as well as to Amale Andraos on her new role as dean of Columbia University GSAPP, and here, we revisit the firm eight years later. We sat with two of the firm’s principals, Amale Andraos and Dan Wood, to talk about the direction of WORKac, including its growing role in championing more sustainable cities.
