Teorías e historia de la ciudad contemporánea


Book Description

La ciudad contemporánea es una criatura incierta. Su condición de amalgama de variables sociales y económicas, culturales y políticas, temporales y espaciales, la convierte en un hojaldre múltiple difícil de aprehender. Infinidad de teorías e historias llevan décadas intentándolo, de lo que ha derivado un corpus doctrinario igualmente vasto y complejo. El objetivo de este libro es descifrar dicho corpus. Como la ciudad no puede abarcarse desde una única área de conocimiento, Carlos García Vázquez intenta detectar sus regularidades, relacionarlas entre sí y trazar trayectorias que dibujen una topografía legible. De esta forma, el libro revisa tres paradigmas de pensamiento en torno a la ciudad que han afectado a tres disciplinas: la ciudad de los sociólogos, la ciudad de los historiadores y la ciudad de los arquitectos. Tres miradas que, en cierto modo, vendrían a ser la ciudad del presente, la ciudad del pasado y la ciudad del futuro.




Public Catalyst


Book Description

Demonstrates the existence of public space catalysts, as well as the need for their presence for an expectant or indifferent place to be activated. This work -- which understands that the city, now and always, has had and must have public spaces of intensity -- proposes urban catalysts as agents that are capable of activating a place that was previously indifferent. The comparative work of historical and recent cases, developed by research and drawings, has allowed us to discover that the vivid public spaces of identity and reference have been formed due to the urban effect caused by these agents that we call "catalysts." Manuel Bailo's work includes a wide range of projects, ranging from urban scale to interiorism. It has been widely published and presented with awards. Co-published with University of Virginia: School of Architecture.




The Challenge of Change


Book Description

"The legacy of the Modern Movement has gained legendary status, largely as a result of the appreciation of the masterworks and the visionary architectural concepts. In the reality of everyday life, however, it has been difficult to maintain the architectural creations of the Modern Movement in such a way that they still reflect the original intentions of their designers. Many buildings and ensembles of the Modern Movement have already been saved; the icons amongst these have even become so precious that they are treated like pieces of art rather than as buildings in everyday use. But despite the successes that have been achieved, many buildings and ensembles are still at risk of demolition or maltreatment. The bi-annul international conference is one means by which it is possible to continue furthering the aims of Docomomo. Knowing that many modern architects aimed at functionality and changeability, the challenge for today is how to deal with the modern heritage in relation to its continuously changing context, including physical, economic and functional changes, as well as socio-cultural, political and scientific ones. It is with this in mind that conservation in general, and the conservation of modern architecture in particular, has become a new challenge. Rather than attempting to return a modern building to its presumed original state, our challenge is to revalue the essence of the manifold manifestations of modern architecture and redefine its meanings in our changing world of digital revolution, worldwide mobility and environmental awareness."--Jacket.




The Challenge of Change: Dealing with the Legacy of the Modern Movement


Book Description

Conservation of architecture - and the conversation of Modern architecture in particular – has assumed new challenges. Rather than attempting to return a Modern building to its resumed original state, the challenge of these proceedings is to revalue the essence of the manifold manifestations of Modern architecture and redefine its meanings in a rapidly changing world of digital revolution, worldwide mobility and environmental awareness. This volume aims to provide a variety of platforms for the exchange of ideas and experience. A large, international group of architects, historians, scholars, preservationists and other parties involved in the processes of preserving, renovating and transforming Modern buildings has been invited to investigate the paradox of the Modern monument, and to reflect on the manifold dilemmas of change and continuity. The general theme is elaborated through five sub-themes. The sub-theme ‘Change and Continuity’ addresses the tensions between change and continuity from a historical-theoretical perspective. ‘Restructuring Cities and Landscapes’ focuses on the larger scale of city and landscape, while ‘Shifts in Programme and Flexibility’ draws attention to the scale of the building or building complex, and questions limits of re-use and flexibility. The fourth sub-theme deals with education and the fifth sub-theme ‘Progress, Technology and Sustainability’ considers specific issues of techniques and materials.




Health and Well-Being Considerations in the Design of Indoor Environments


Book Description

Indoor residential environments have a direct influence on human health, both in developed and developing countries. Significant levels of indoor pollution can make housing unsafe and can negatively impact on human health. Housing, therefore, is a key health factor for people all over the world, and various parameters such as air quality, ventilation, hygrothermal comfort, lighting, physical environment, building efficiency, and others can contribute to healthy architecture and the conditions that can result from the poor application of these parameters. Health and Well-Being Considerations in the Design of Indoor Environments addresses issues concerning indoor environmental quality (IEQ), including air quality and ventilation, access to daylight and views, acoustic conditions, and control over lighting and thermal comfort, as well as the impact that this environment can have on human health and mental well-being. The book also investigates the functional aspects of interior design such as whether the layout provides easy access to tools and sufficient space for occupants. It also considers energy demand and building energy losses due to such issues as air renovations and enclosure infiltrations. Covering topics such as sustainable design, pollution, building materials, and lighting, this book is an effective resource for students, professors, academicians, researchers, architects, designers, planners, engineers, interior designers, building managers, construction companies, and other industry professionals looking to increase building occupant satisfaction by considering all aspects of IEQ.







Tower and Office


Book Description

A study of the complex relationship between technological development and the conceptual basis of architectural design, from World War II to the early 1990s.