LOT/EK: Urban Scan [Paperback]

Ada Tolla (Author), Giuseppe Lignano (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2002

The New York-based architectural firm LOT/EK (pronounced "low-tech") has made a distinctive mark on the architectural landscape through a series of seemingly whimsical projects that make a point of using prefabricated industrial materials in unexpected ways. In their hands, a shipping container can be transformed into a mobile working unit, a museum, or a restaurant. In the process, they question our relation to the industrial environment and the artificiality of the urban landscape. LOT/EK: Urban Scan, the first and only monograph on the firm, is organized categorically and alphabetically. Twenty-three projects are presented in detail, including American Diner (a restaurant in a container), the InspiroTrainer (created for the Museum of Modern Art), Mixer (a cement mixer-cum-video immersion unit), the Meltzer Gallery, the Boon boutique, the MDU (Mobule Dwelling Unit), and the Goree Memorial and Museum. It also includes more than 1,000 photographs of infrastructural objects--everything from air conditioners to water tanks--that serve as the raw material and inspiration for this creative practice.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ada Tolla and Giuseppe Lignano, LOT/EK's founding partners, are natives of Naples, Italy. They opened their New York studio after graduating from Columbia University.

Giuseppe Lignano and Ada Tolla, LOT/EK's founding partners, are natives of Naples, Italy. They opened their New York studio after graduating from Columbia University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156898300X
• ISBN-13: 978-1568983004
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,546,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seclusive Architecture, April 25, 2003

By 

Burak Kilic (Istanbul, TURKEY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: LOT/EK: Urban Scan (Paperback)

Ada Tolla and Giuseppe Lignano came to our school, Carnegie Mellon, in March 2003, to give a presentation of their retrospective work. I must admit that we, as the whole audience were enchanted by what they presented to us. LOT/EK, a NYC based architectural firm, has set its focus on mostly mobile units of architecture that involves structures and modules to be used in mostfully art and entertainment contexts.

They've done a lot of small structures that bring technology and entertainment together. Their projects for MoMa, Whitney Museum, and the Guggenheim are a couple of examples. Although they're very unique designs in addition to comprehensive enhancements in media use, they have a seclusive atmosphere. That was one of the issues that was brought up by the students and faculty. The modules, however comfortable and ergonomic they can be, tend to separate individuals from the outside environment almost completely. They did not provide a good answer to the question. Yet, there's no reason for harsh criticism for that; since they devote themselves to one particular theme in architecture. Perhaps we, as either students or professionals, always have the image of Le Corbusier or Aalto in our minds, that we think that an architect should do everything. It becomes nice when a man can get a hand on many things, but it should not be disrespected when a hand does one job only. In fact, specialization becomes a must with globalism.

I really liked their project for University of Washington, where they placed literally a 'slice' of an aeroplane onto a grass area in the campus. They've designed mobile seats, that can rotate vertically and horizontally, to allow for lectures, lounge relaxing and exhibitions, as the seats move.

'Isolating functions, not people...' Yes, this is what they had said, I now remember. I agree, their intention is not to isolate people. They instead intend to isolate functions, so that they are better realized without interruption. One might disagree with that, if interruption is a personal pleasure.

LOT/EK is definitely one of the most specialized, unique, creative and technological architectural firms today. Purchase the book to see their amazing work.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Machines for Living. Finally!, January 9, 2003

By 

Dr. Stuart Ewen "author" (New York City) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LOT/EK: Urban Scan (Paperback)

I first learned about architects Ada Tolla and Giuseppe Lagnano (of LOT-EK) from an article in the House and Home section of the New York Times. I was intrigued by their use of low-cost, yet structurally sound, architectural elements (used shipping containers, tanker truck tanks, etc.) to create flexible spaces that are visually striking, yet responsive to human needs. A rare combination in architecture. Reading and looking through this book, my sense of interest morphed into outright enthusiasm. Not only does their work make sense environmentally--making sane reuse of items that are often discarded--their designs are extraordinarily well thought-out, architecturally innovative, socially aware and beautiful.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catalouge of Mundane Items with Ingenious Solutions, August 10, 2003

By 

Nathan Manfred (San Antonio, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: LOT/EK: Urban Scan (Paperback)

This is worth the price, if just for the images they collect of eveyday industrial items and how these items fit into the manifesto of LO/TEK. Great Work!!