a+t architecture publishers

"Once we have gotten beyond the undeniable thrill of the immediacy and efficacy of these architectural actions, and the deep sense of professional validation that comes from seeing architects once again meaningfully and earnestly engaged in the problems of the day, once we have gotten beyond this, we must ask ourselves a series of difficult questions. First, what are we hoping to achieve through this latest foray into architecture with neither buildings nor, at times, architects? To some degree, we must concede, some of us are looking for lessons on how and where to find engaging work. It is hard not to look at these process-driven, opportunistic projects and immediately imagine similar opportunities for ourselves, and for our communities. After all, whose neighborhood couldn´t use better public spaces, more bike racks, a swimming pool, a beach, a farm? But beyond this healthy opportunism,what can we learn from these extra-architectural or post-architectural actions that can also nourish architecture itself? Because if we seize nothing more than the opportunities immediately at hand, without reflection, then we run the risk of merely slumming in the neighborhood collectives until the big competitions and commissions return, and we will have learned little from our time there."

Extract from the article by David Goodman, "Project and Action. On making immodest proposals", published in a+t magazine 39-40, Reclaim.