Drawing inspiration from Steven Holl and William Stout’s brainchild Pamphlet Architecture, a new collaborative project, Treatise: Why Write Alone?, unifies fourteen design firms to examine the architectural treatise as a method of exploring theoretical questions and sparking discussion. The project was developed by designer Jimenez Lai of Bureau Spectacular in response to receiving a grant from the Graham Foundation. His unconventional ideas on the architectural process made him wonder, "Why write? And, why write alone?" The resultant collection of publications delves into these questions, both collectively and individually, with a collaborative piece as well as submissions from each firm.
Like its influential predecessor, Treatise challenges the idea of defining architecture within society’s limits and instead empowers young designers to express their stance on the issue, encouraging them to address concerns as well as push the boundary of what is possible. All fourteen treatises, along with accompanying models, drawings, and multi-media installations, will be exhibited from January 23, 2015 to March 28, 2015 at the Graham Foundation. The work explores various aspects of design, from re-imagining the existing to create something innovative, to investigations of spatial interaction. The exhibition will begin with an opening reception on January 23, 2015, and host the book launch of Treatise on March 18, 2015.
Participants include: Bittertang (New York); Bureau Spectacular (Chicago); CAMES/gibson (Chicago); Design With Company (Chicago); FAKE Industries (New York); First Office (Los Angeles); Pieterjan Ginckels (Brussels, Belgium); is-office (Chicago); Andrew Kovacs (Los Angeles); Alex Maymind (Los Angeles); Norman Kelley (Chicago and New York); Point Supreme (Athens, Greece); SOFTlab (New York); and Young & Ayata (New York).
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Treatise: Why Write Alone?Website
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January 23, 2015 06:00 PMUntil
March 28, 2015 12:00 AMVenue
Graham FoundationAddress
Madlener House, 4 West Burton Place