Temporary Tecture - by Kosmos Architects (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Contemporary vernacular architecture today - and what we can learn from temporary infrastructures

Temporary Tecture is a fundamental statement on the impact and significance of temporary infrastructures in the city: not only do they ensure the functioning of numerous processes - from construction and dismantling to orientation and protection - but they also shape the cityscape significantly as an overarching structure. Despite their omnipresence, these structures of necessity continue to lead a shadowy existence in both professional discourse and public perception.

This book opens up a new perspective on what is described here for the first time as contemporary vernacular architecture. It shows that it even offers an architectural language from which architects can learn in terms of adaptability, use of local resources, circular economy and conceptual radicalism.

• A new perspective on temporary infrastructures
• An illustrated and inspiring publication
• With contributions by Charlotte Maltere-Barthes, Jan De Vylder and Philip Ursprung

Review Quotes

"With its title stylized as contemporary architecture, the architects at KOSMOS are offering a critique of contemporary architecture by focusing on the temporary, often overlooked, and sometimes tolerated structures that are involved in the repair and realization of 'permanent' buildings: scaffolding, sidewalk sheds, false facades, camouflage, even sandbags." (John Hill in World Architects)

About the Author

KOSMOS is a team of architects based in Zurich and Graz with an artistic and research-based practice.