Verb Crisis (Vinyl Bound)

~ Mario Ballesteros (Author, Editor), Albert Ferre (Editor), Irene Hwang (Editor) "VERB > Photographers, reporters, investors, real estate developers, and (most certainly) architects everywhere have been entranced by Dubai, in awe of the city-in-the-making's success story..." (more)
Key Phrases: manufactured sites, media city, compressed earth block, Fresh Kills, New York, San Diego (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

An extremely varied collection of places, opinions, and architectural designs, yet with a great amount of depth, all focused on a difficult topic. It holds great promise for future issues of Verb that will (hopefully) tackle other difficult issues that require not only changing approaches to architecture but changing attitudes in the reader. --Archidose-- Coming from one of the most fashionable publishers in Europe, Crisis could only raise very high expectations and, of course, fail to fulfill them...the book doesn't disappoint, it is a fantastic source for reflection and inspiration. --We Make Money Not Art

This combination of empirical research and pragmatic response - actually looking at the city to see what it is like as opposed to wishing it were something else - is a strong theme in all the work included. ...The Latest issue of Verb is refreshingly critically engaged... addressing some genuinely thoughtful and provocative work...If you ever wondered whether there were any architects left with a sense of critical or social engagement, or an interest in the wider political and economic realities of their practice, then Verb Crisis is worth a look. --ICON Magazine

VERB: CRISIS - defining 'crisis' as 'a decisive moment when tensions and instabilities peak and change become inescapable'. The newest book the Actar's VERB series looks at cities in the midst of this threshold state and what it's like to build and live in an crisis urban condition. --Life Without Buildings

Product Description

Current architectural intervention has demonstrated a tendency towards the production of the superficial: Effects, ornamentation, and embellishments are applied to programs defined by social, economic, and technical conditions that fall outside of the profession. Verb Crisis tackles the conflict that marks the collision between the physical nature of the architectural commission and the demands of a world that is increasingly dense and interdependent, a world marked by undeniable environmental problems and economic inequalities. Given the shortfalls of standard professional attitudes, Verb Crisis presents projects and investigations that grant the practice of architecture an updated optimism and social relevance.

Product Details

• Vinyl Bound: 280 pages
• Publisher: Actar (May 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8496540979
• ISBN-13: 978-8496540972
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #321,869 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent testimony to experimentation with a purpose, June 9, 2008

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

The latest in the avant-garde Verb series, Verb Crisis explores potential architectural solutions to the problems of an increasingly dense and interdependent world. Offering a diverse assortment of projects and investigations complemented with full color photography, essays, and exclusive interviews with experts in architecture, urban planning, and environmental, economic, or global affairs, Verb Crisis reveals how social needs can transform the effective structure and function of quality architecture. An excellent testimony to experimentation with a purpose, especially recommended as a source of inspiration to professional and aspiring architects preparing to build for the unique challenges of the twenty-first century.