BUILDING (IN) THE FUTURE. RECASTING LABOR IN ARCHITECTURE

There is no denying the transformational role of the computer in the evolution of contemporary architectural practice. But does this techno-determinist account tell the whole story? Are humans becoming irrelevant to the overall development of the built environment? Building (in) the Future confronts these important questions by examining the fundamental human relationships that characterize contemporary design and construction. Thirty-four contributors including designers engineers fabricators contractors construction managers planners and scholars examine how contemporary practices of production are reshaping the design/construction process. Through observations arguments and detailed project explorations contributors describe new models of practice and reorganizations of labor for the 21st century. Chapters include a reconsideration of craft in light of digital fabrication; an exploration of new methods of collaboration; an analysis of changes in contracts and standards; and an assessment of the new market realities of mass production and customization.