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Architecture as City, Saemangeum Island City

This book describes an urban and landscape design research methodology that ARU have developed in research projects in Germany, the UK, Japan and Korea over the past 20 years. Co-authored with Prof. Florian Beigel.

The book is organised in four main sections beginning with an outline of the principle design ideas. The next chapter describes general design positions that precede the design process. This is relevant to urban design projects worldwide. A section titled ‘Designing the City’ presents a design as research project as a case study: ARU’s urban and landscape design proposal titled ‘Saemangeum Island City’. The design methodology is described in detail with design sketches, models and drawings.

Of particular relevance to urban designers is the chapter titled ‘City Structures’, a compendium of twelve urban fabric typology studies found in cities worldwide, drawn to scale with their special characteristics described. They have been selected for their well-defined and active public spaces, their potential to be multi-functional and adaptable to change in function. With this in mind, the city fabric was designed before specific functions such as industry, housing, tourism or farming are located. An argument is made promoting concentrations of urban density, leaving open spaces for wildlife, recreation and farming, to avoid urban sprawl.

An interview in the final chapter brings a cultural and historical context to the arguments presented in the book.

Book reviews have been published in the Architects’ Journal, Arquitectura Viva and Architectural Research Quarterly. This is an internationally relevant book about a contemporary urban / landscape design methodology. The first edition is now sold out internationally.