Providing a source of vision for the revitalisation of ground and envelope as spatial elements that can inform the search for embedded locally specific architectures, this book collects essays and projects that each contributes a particular element to what might constitute an integrated and richly nuanced approach to spatial organisation. Projects include:



Paulo Mendes da Rocha; Brazilian Pavilion, Osaka World Expo 1970, Osaka, Japan
RCR Arquitectes: Marquee at Les Cols Restaurant, Olot, Girona, Spain
Weiss / Manfredi; Seattle Art Museum: Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle, Washington, USA
Peter Eisenman; City of Culture of Galicia, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Plasma Studio and Groundlab; Xi'an Horticultural Expo, Longgang, China
Foreign Office Architects; Yokohama International Ferry Terminal, Yokohama, Japan
Nekton Design; Turf City, Reykjavik, Iceland
Alvaro Siza; Swimming Pool, Leca da Palmeira, Portugal
Eduardo Souto de Moura; Braga Municipal Stadium, Braga Portugal
MVRDV; Villa VPRO, Hilversum, Netherlands
Bernard Tschumi; Le Fresnoy Art Centre, Tourcoing, France
OCEAN; World Centre for Human Concerns, New York City, USA
R Spidernethewood, Nimes, France
Toyo Ito; Serpentine Pavilion, London, England
Enric Miralles and Carme Pinos; Olympic Archery Range, Barcelona, Spain
Kengo Kuma; GC Prostho Museum Research Centre, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Cloud 9; MediaTic, Barcelona, Spain
Diller, Scofidio and Renfro; Blur Building, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, Swiss National Expo

With an abundance of built and un-built key projects available, it is now possible to outline the contours of a new discourse. This book initiates a new beginning in this direction so that architecture can partake in the creation of heterogeneous space and culturally, socially and environmentally sustainable built environments.