designboom book report: micro - very small buildings
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designboom book report: micro - very small buildings


author: ruth slavid
publisher: laurence king publishing ltd.
year: 2007 size: 21.3 x 20.1 cm
ISBN: 9781856694957
http://www.laurenceking.co.uk
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designboom rating:
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bigger is not always better.
typically, we think small spaces are simple and mundane, but the power of space
comes not from its size, but how wisely it is used.

content
'micro very small buildings' is a survey of over 50 newer and lesser known projects from
around the globe. many of the works contain only a few spaces, but in a lot of cases,
they are often presented as single spaces.

author ruth slavid takes a look at the little guys, literally, noting works which are humble in size.
sure, the spaces are constrained, but the ideas are not. from 'serious' structures to more
'artful' pieces, the book covers projects which fall into 5 chapters of overlapping themes:
public realm, community spaces, on the move, compact living and extra space. each chapter
starts out with historical examples that fit under the theme, and moves into the more modern
and contemporary works that are of our time.

ranging from the more classically conventional with jay shafer's XS house (USA),
a simple house that allows one to divest themselves from excessive consumption, to the more
eccentric like carlosmartinez architekten, schlafhhaus(SP) a habitable pod that looks like it came
from the space age, slavid shows us that even within the smallest of spaces, we can make things work.

is it for me?
even those who are not architecture buffs will enjoy this book, which is beautifully illustrated with
pictures and the occasional technical drawing. it will definitely get you to think about reconsidering
the way we design and use space.

'microdwellings' by N55, denmark

'sauna box' by castor canadensis, canada


'schlafhaus' by carlosmartinez architekten, spain

'miele space station' by 2012 architecten, the netherlands

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designboom ratings:

 ......................... interesting
................... good read, worth a look
............. very good
....... excellent, recommended
. must have
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see more designboom book reports
andrea db
06.13.08  
0
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