SHoP: Out of Practice

by SHoP Architects, Philip Nobel (Introduction), Sharples (Contributor)

An insider's look into one of contemporary architecture's most cutting-edge firms. SHoP's striking projects and unique business model are captured in this thoughtful and inventively organized monograph. Designed in a playful and intricate manner, Out of Practice reflects the character and attitudes of the firm itself. Thirteen projects are shown in great detail, including the Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards, Brooklyn; a master plan for the East River Waterfront, New York; and Dunescape, winner of the annual MoMA/P.S.1 competition for a summer courtyard installation. Interspersed between the projects are thematic explorations of current issues in style, risk, innovation, sustainability, and more. Also included are five essays by the SHoP partners that offer the firm's take on practice, politics, finance, technology, and sustainability.

Genres: Architecture

420 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 2011

Reviews

[Seven Pesos · Rating 2 out of 5]

At one point, I asked myself earnestly: "Wait, how old is this book?!". This was after flipping to a page with the title reading "Are computers the future?" accompanied by a still taken from the 1982 film 'Tron'. This book was published in 2012. Framing such a brain dead question with a still from Tron in the year 2012, when the answer should have long been obvious by then, is (to me) completely asinine. Anyhow... I didn't really like this book and opted to just look at the nice pictures of architecture when they presented themselves, all the while skipping over 90% of the text. From what I could gather, the Shop Architects group is trying to do the same thing in this book what the BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) did with that 'Hot to Cold' book I read last year - which is showcase their work, work ethos, and group / corporate philosophy. At least the BIG book was really pretty, and had lots of pretty pictures, despite its wankiness. Yeah, this book had too much text, and they really stretched the number of pages-per-projects ratio. For their next promotional, I would recommend a brochure and a business card. It would be cheaper for them and can fit the same amount of meaningful material.

[Sonntag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Tea Cup for A Coffee Drinker-

SHoP is not my cup of tea... just to start with a coffee drinker's inside joke, OK seriously, I’m not a SHoP enthusiast but this is the best example of what portfolio should be. The book is a thick 420 pages volume, but 8.3 x 10.3 dimensions kept it petit, green canvas panel with no annoying dust cover enhanced its perfection. The page format is simple and direct. The projects are organized in sequence that began with writing and diagrams to guide you to the core of project intentions. Then process studies, finished drawings, follow by money-shot renderings and/or photographs of finished buildings. It’s extremely clear, logical, modest and pleasant.
I would definitely use this book as an example for my portfolio-making seminar.





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[Lorenzo Diaz campos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shop (Sharples, Holden, and Pasquarelli) es una firma joven de arquitectura basada en la ciudad de nueva york, con seis socios fundadores ha demostrado el valor de la arquitectura tecnológica en nuestros días. Todos ellos con una maestría en arquitectura por la Columbia Graduate School of Architecture. Este libro es su primer monográfico y demuestra de una manera muy clara la trayectoria y sobre todo la praxis resultante de una sólida filosofía.
Ojear este volumen me ha dejado muy satisfecho, el estudio profundo me deja claro lo que es lograr un monográfico a fondo. Sin protagonismos de los individuos el contenido transparentemente muestra lo que hay detrás de cada proyecto. Desde los primeros encargos hasta los proyectos de gran escala que ejecutan en estos momentos, todos sin duda congruentes a su filosofía.
Este trabajo deja en claro lo que una firma moderna de arquitectura puede hacer para una ciudad y una sociedad como la neoyorquina, donde su eje de desarrollo se ha centrado. La calidad de los textos, imágenes, bocetos y dibujos arquitectónicos es extraordinaria. Exhaustivo y profesional, referencia indiscutible.

[Matthew Flannery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! Some really intelligent solutions in this book, it really shows creativity and how they're using the tools we have in this day and age.