Expanding Architecture: Design as Activism

by Bryan Bell, Katie Wakeford

Expanding Architecture presents a new generation of creative design carried out in the service of the greater public and the greater good. Questioning how design can improve daily lives, editors Bryan Bell and Katie Wakeford map an emerging geography of architectural activism--or "public-interest architecture"--that might function akin to public-interest law or medicine by expanding architecture's all too often elite client base. With 30 essays by practicing architects and designers, urban and community planners, historians, landscape architects, environmental designers and members of other fields, this volume presents recent work from around the world that illustrates the ways in which design can address issues of social justice.

Genres: Architecture, Design

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some wonderful essays and case studies in this book. But as with Bell's previous effort, "Good Deeds, Good Design", there are some stinkers, too. Also as with GD,GD there's an undertone that I find particularly disturbing that frames this kind of design work as some sort of a radical process or an act of benevolence. My fear is that this is in an effort to sell it to the buzzy "socially responsible" crowd, and can thus suffer the same fate as "green" and "sustainable" design, terms/practices that have been stripped of their meaning and filled with more reasons for vapid consumption.
Don't even get me started...

[Daniel]

Co authors Bryan Bell, and Katie Wakeford presented inspiring case of Architects / Design Professionals who need to expand their services from just catering just to the 2% clientele.

Architecture / Design can play a role a greater range of issues
SEED: SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Every community addresses unique challenges that include three major elements of sustainability: the Social, Economic, and Environmental. There is a growing global movement that believes that every person has the right to live in a socially, economically and environmentally healthy community and that design can support a community in achieving this goal. Professionals experienced with design process work alongside locals who know their community and its needs to achieve the best of both worlds. Called “community-based design,” this practice of “trusting the local” is increasingly recognized as the most effective way to sustain the health and longevity of a place.

This what I gather from their lecture. I am eager to read this book to learn more in detail.

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Design for the Other 90%, by Cynthia E. Smith (Author)