In reaction to “Freespace”, theme of the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale, L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui dedicates its May issue to the question of generosity in architecture.

AA has decided to proceed to its own interpretation, and to present projects and buildings that illustrate the different ways in which generosity is represented in architecture, particularly with regards to “freespaces”. As highlighted by Anne Lacaton in the following pages, “the principle of enlarging a space is something that we have adhered to from our very first projects. It comes from the observation and conviction that briefs or standards, for housing, are often too restrictive and don’t leave room for personalisation.”

This is a timely reminder from Lacaton & Vassal just as, in France, social housing is under threat by the proposed Elan law. “Build more, better and cheaper”: isn’t such a mantra suspect? This over-simplification seems more like an all-destructive bulldozer. Numerous architects are speaking out against this harmful plan. Because housing is the very expression of architecture, because it is a matter of public interest. “Build more, better and cheaper”? Build, above all, but leave it to the architects. In the interest of the public.

In this May 2018 issue:

NEWS

News from Corinne Vezzoni & Associés; Nîmes Museum of Roman Culture; Frida Escobedo, architect of the month; Manuelle Gautrand’s tribune, “Buildings chatting” by Philippe Trétiack; on Françoise N’Thépé’s bookshelves; Carme Pinós’ approach; competitions, exhibitions, AA’s books selection…

REPORT – Freespaces

Portrait: The “placeness” of place, Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara (Grafton Architects), curators of the 16th Venice Architecture Biennale
Profession: Anne Lacaton: “We always try to to expand space”
Builders: Méka Brunel: “Free space is costly if not given due consideration”
Heritage: Phyllis Lambert, Joan of Architecture
Realisation: Rijnstraat 8 in The Hague by OMA, architecture for an open society
Realisation: The Shed in New York by Diller Scofidio + Renfro in collaboration with Rockwell Group, the promise of metamorphosis
Realisation: Social housing on Rue Pelleport in Paris by Bruther, Orthogonal infill
Realisation: The Writers Theatre in Glencoe, by Studio Gang, Writers’ Block

VIEWPOINTS

Extract: Suzanne Doppelt’s ghost boxes
Photo report: Salma Samar Damluji’s earth architecture
Art: Charlotte Charbonnel, listening to architecture
Actors: Houda Benyamina: “I defend the right to question the world”

TRENDS

Three questions to… Marie and Annica Eklund, CEO and CCO of Bolon
Products: Offices: acoustic, flooring and lighting