DETAIL – selected articles from the past 20 years

DETAIL – selected articles from the past 20 years

Architecture through the ages

Aesthetics and construction: the interplay between design and technology demonstrated by outstanding examples of architecture

DETAIL has been reporting on high-quality architecture from around the world, questioning designs and getting below the surface for the past 50 years. DETAIL does not simply parade ambitious architecture in the form of glossy photos, but instead examines backgrounds under the leitmotif of “aesthetics and construction”, reveals constructional contexts and relationships.

To celebrate this anniversary, the editors have for the first time brought together a number of articles and case studies from the past two decades in one publication. Twenty years – a period in which the popularity and influence of the journal have grown continuously, the concept and presentation have developed steadily, and which, in 1997–98, saw the wary changeover from drawings done by hand to drawings done by computer.

Subdivided into sections with the titles Discussion, Reports, Documentation, Technology, Typology and Process, this anniversary edition depicts not only the progress of the journal itself, but also paints a kaleidoscopic picture of the architecture of the last 20 years, its moods, trends and constructional idiosyncrasies. Not surprisingly, it makes a significant contribution to the architecture debate. Just like the “normal” issues, this special edition contains plenty of material to inspire and assist readers in their daily work.

• Innovative details from the past 20 years
• High-quality examples from the most diverse areas of construction to provide inspiration for everyday tasks 
• Exemplary solutions and concepts for large and small, simple and complex design issues
• Thoroughly researched details presented in context in the uniform drawing style so characteristic of DETAIL
• The theories behind relevant, common topics dealt with in expertly written articles

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  • Paris

    Paris carries its history in its buildings and yet remains a perpetual site of architectural experiment. No other major city negotiates tradition and innovation quite so naturally. The book portrays a generation of architects – among them established practices such as Moussafir Architectes and Régis Roudil – who are fundamentally rethinking urban space. Large-format photographs, precise plans, and well-researched texts invite readers on an architectural tour of the city, presenting a variety of outstanding contemporary buildings that engage with the defining issues of our time: urban density, ecological responsibility, and social diversity. A multilayered picture of a city in transition – between cultural heritage and a visionary future.

  • Housing

    How can we build housing today that is genuinely affordable, socially inclusive, and sustainable? This book presents 33 best-practice projects spanning social housing, lowcost construction, and building renovation, showing how architecture can respond to the pressing challenges of our time with intelligence and responsibility. Detailed drawings at 1:20 scale give precise insights into each construction solution, complemented by floor plans and sections that enable a sound spatial and technical understanding of the buildings. Photographs and texts convey atmosphere, materiality, and architectural quality.

  • Herzog & de Meuron

    This fifth edition of the monograph documents 24 built projects designed by Herzog & de Meuron. It presents the architects’ design intentions, their approach to both traditional and innovative materials, and the technological challenges involved. Texts, photographs, drawings, and illustrations document the buildings and reveal processes and construction details.

  • Manual of Masonry Construction

    The new Manual of Masonry Construction is a fundamental handbook for architects and planners, providing expertise on masonry construction and its technical details. It brings together a wealth of knowledge on classic and contemporary masonry construction, covering topics from production and loadbearing behaviour to building physics, fire protection, and sustainability. The authors address traditional techniques as well as the latest developments in the field.

  • Foster + Partners

    Foster + Partners is one of the world’s best-known and most influential design firms. Founded in London in 1967 by Norman Foster, the firm has been synonymous with high-tech architecture and ground-breaking projects in urban planning, engineering and design for more than five decades. The monograph presents 12 selected exciting works from recent times. They range from smaller buildings, such as the winery near Bordeaux, to large-scale projects, such as the Lusail Towers in Quatar. Construction details and axonometries, sketches, photos and texts reflect the great structural engineering expertise of Foster + Partners. In interviews and essays, companions of the office founder, partners and project participants speak.