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Dwelling with Architecture

The focus of all the work in this portfolio can be summarised with the question, ‘what is place?’ The work explores the thesis that the artistic dimension of architecture is the human experience of what we describe as ‘place’. The topic is examined through actual built works, reflective writing and analysis of contemporary Swiss architecture and architects exploring similar themes. DWA uses the activity of dwelling to communicate the topic of architecture to as wide an audience as possible. It defines the fundamental roles of both architecture and the architect for a lay and professional audience in the 21st century. Predating the Scottish Government’s recent published work on the place-making, it casts fresh light on the importance of a place-specific built environment. Its format juxtaposes scholarly and anecdotal writing, personal reflection and professional references, the authors’ own work and the work of others. This structure is used to explore both the unconscious and conscious experience of architecture and the analysis of that experience intellectually. DWA consciously avoids the existing architecture book genres, such as technical, monographs or theoretical and historical volumes and uses a two author format to create a conversational atmosphere. Part travelogue, part autobiography, conversations with major international architectural figures are juxtaposed with the authors’ own reflective thoughts on their experiences as practitioners and teachers. It is unusual for practising architects to reflect in print on their experience as teachers and practitioners and attempt to draw out lessons for not only their peers and students, but a wider public as well. The book has been formally endorsed by three important international figures in the field of architectural practice and education: Professor Tom Heneghan (Japan) Professor Juhani Palasma (Finland) and Talbot Sweetapple (Nova Scotia).