Books published by Birkhauser

In funktional und technologisch anspruchsvollen und innovativen Gebaudeentwurfen hat die Verwendung von ETFE-Folien in jungster Zeit groe Bedeutung erlangt. Dieses Folienmaterial ist von erstaunlicher Dunnheit bei enormer Reifestigkeit und ist zum Teil leichter als die Luft, die es umschliet. Bekannt geworden ist das Material vor allem durch das Eden Project von Nicholas Grimshaw und die Allianz Arena von Herzog & de Meuron. Derzeit im Bau ist das spektakulare Schwimmstadion fur die Olympischen Spiele 2008 in Beijing - die bislang weltweit grote ETFE-Struktur.Das Buch ist als fundiertes Grundlagenwerk konzipiert, das sowohl Materialeigenschaften wie technologische und konstruktive Verwendungsmoglichkeiten grundsatzlich und umfassend vermittelt. Ausfuhrlich geht die Autorin auf die Spezifika von ETFE in Bezug auf Lichtdurchlassigkeit, Dammeigenschaften, Akustik, Brandschutz und okologische Vertraglichkeit ein. Ebenso stellt sie anhand von zahlreichen Projektbeispielen Entwurfslosungen vor.

Offers a comprehensive presentation of contemporary Austrian landscape architecture. This volume profiles 187 open spaces of the last two decades in Austria, and accompanies these with richly illustrated photographic essays.

Im Werk von Helmut von Werz wird der Geist der Nachkriegsarchitektur sichtbar, der einerseits vom Masshalten und Bewahren gepragt war, sich andererseits der Avantgarde gegenuber nicht verschloss.

The Styrian Architecture Award has been awarded since 1980. This makes it an important indicator of buildings and their cultural importance in the state of Styria, which is known for its unique and richly varied architecture.

Vorarlberg is the most westerly and the smallest of all the federal states in Austria. The region has seen its building culture develop along a special path with a movement beginning in the late 1950s and early 1960s that has been labelled the Vorarlberger Bauschule (Vorarlberg School of Building). This book deals with this topic.

Molecular biology provided the basis for a collection of drawings and installations from 20 years of artistic practice and artistic perspective. Through her drawings Petra Maitz has defined a comprehensive hypothesis of the wordly chemistry change, showing visualisations of evolution in a cultural context. This book deals with her work.

Profiling the work of voyagers traveling with the Cape Farewell touring exhibition, this book offers essays by experts and critical thinkers from both the sciences and the arts, discussing debates surrounding global warming and our changing world.

This publication explores and analyzes a very special kind of design - the phenomenon, as normal as it is wonderful, in which people with no formal training in design take things that have already been designed and reuse them, convert them to new uses, in short, "e;misuse"e; them in the very best sense of the word. Non-intentional design (NID) goes on every day, in every area of life, in every region of the world. Redesign through reuse makes things multifunctional and cleverly combines them to generate new functions. It is often reversible, resource-friendly, improvisational, innovative, and economical. It can become a source of inspiration for design, provided professional designers look up and take notice of what actually happens to all the things they design when they are used.

Among the most notable achievements of Scandinavian architecture are a responsible approach to the environment and a keen appreciation for social concerns. The Danish architects reflect these standards in their remarkable buildings.

This book presents current developments in city planning and architecture in East Asia. It describes the many neighborhoods in which the region's large cities are modernizing or expanding with innovative structures and advanced construction projects. It combines a typology of public structures with an analysis of the compositional principles of urban environments. Thus, it finally connects new developments in city planning with new developments in architecture, and considers examples such as CCTV, Lujiazui, Kansai Airport, Xinyi, Taipei 101, Chek Lap Kok, Cheonggyecheon, Roppongi Hills, Da Shanzi, Shahe, Omotesando, and Marina Bay from a new perspective.And the new perspectives presented here are not just theoretical: some forty full-page bird's eye views prepared especially for this volume show these future urban settings in highly detailed images of breathtaking beauty. The result is a rich portrait of the coming together of global and local influences in non-Western countries. With its systematic approach, this presentation by one of the leading international experts in the field is a reference work on a topic of central importance to the world of construction today.

"e;We don't sell gardens; we sell images of gardens."e; This observation on the part of a landscape architect makes it clear just how important it is that a design be effectively communicated to the community, clients, and the public. Drawings, models, simulations, and films communicate the designers' proposed ideas and solutions, but they also convey their attitude toward the use of nature and the environment. With myriad possibilities - including computer programs as well as hand drawings and models, which continue to be widely used - and strong competition in the field, there is now a huge variety of visual representations, with agreed-upon rules but also a great deal of freedom. In three large sections, this books sifts through the currently commonplace and available techniques and evaluates them in terms of their informative value and persuasive power, always illustrating its points with analysis of examples from international firms. An introductory look at the development thus far is followed by a systematic presentation of modes of representation in two, three, and four dimensions - in the plane, in space, and in the temporal process. The second section deals with the sequence within the workflow: from the initial sketch through concept and implementation planning all the way to the finished product. The third section deals with the strategic use of visualizations in the context of competitions, future schemes, and large-scale landscape planning. The focus in this section is not on the familiar use of the relevant techniques, but rather on the methods and forms of visual representation in contemporary landscape architecture.

Lateinamerika ist seit vielen Jahrzehnten ein wichtiger Ort fur die Architektur. Altmeister wie Barragan, Dieste, Lina Bo Bardi und Niemeyer waren und sind wegweisend fur das architektonische Gestalten weltweit. Ihr Umgang mit Farben, Materialien und Wanden hat die architektonische Moderne nachhaltig beeinflusst. Seitdem und insbesondere in den letzten funfzehn Jahren hat sich aber die Architektur auf diesem Kontinent weiterentwickelt und es ist eine lebendige und auerst kreative Architekturszene entstanden. Die Arbeit der dortigen Architekten und Stadtplaner wird vielfach von sozialen Fragen geleitet, etwa dem Umgang mit ungeplanten Siedlungen am Rande der Grostadte, der Knappheit von Wohnraum und offentlichem Raum, der Verfugbarkeit bezahlbarer Transportmittel, die wichtige Rolle von kultureller Infrastruktur wie Schulen, Bibliotheken oder Sportstatten als Katalysatoren fur eine Nachbarschaft. In diesem Kontext werden zahlreiche Projekte erortert, die quer durch Lateinamerika fur Diskussion und Impulse gesorgt haben. Aufsehenerregende Projekte wie die Santo Domingo-Bibliothek in Medellin, Kolumbien, von Giancarlo Mazzanti, das Liceo Franco-Mexicano von Alberto Kalach in Mexiko oder die Arbeiten von Alejandro Aravena in Chile belegen, dass die neuere Architektur auch in formaler und asthetischer Hinsicht den Vergleich mit den Vatern nicht zu scheuen braucht. Felipe Hernandez ist Architekt und Professor fur Architekturdesign, Architekturgeschichte und Architekturtheorie an der Universitat Liverpool. Seinen MA in Architektur und Kritischer Theorie schloss er 1998 mit Auszeichnung ab und promovierte 2003 an der Universitat Nottingham. Er unterrichtete an der Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL) und den Universitaten Nottingham, Sheffield, East London und Nottingham Trent im Vereinigten Konigreich sowie an der Brown University und Roger Williams University in den Vereinigten Staaten. Felipe Hernandez hat zahlreiche Aufsatze und Artikel veroffentlicht, die sich mit der Lage der lateinamerikanischen Grostadte in der heutigen Zeit beschaftigen und die Vielfalt der architektonischen Verfahren zeigen, die gleichzeitig bei der kontinuierlichen Neugestaltung der Stadte des Kontinents mitwirken.

Jedes Gebaude besteht aus Teilen, dievielfaltig organisiert werden konnen. Wandeetwa lassen sichauf unterschiedliche Weise anordnen, um ihre Hauptfunktionen - Tragen, Trennen und Schutzen - optimal wahrzunehmen. Das Buch stelltdie gangigen Tragsysteme wie Scheiben-, Massiv- oder Skelettbauweise vor und zeigt deren Auswirkung auf das Gesamtgefuge. Es erklart, wie Raume vertikal oder horizontal verbunden und zu einem Ganzen zusammengesetzt werden konnen. Die einzelnen Elemente wie Geschossdecken, Dacher, Offnungen oder Fundamente werdenin ihren Funktionen und mit ihren Verbindungsmoglichkeiten dargestellt.DasBuch zeigt hinter der Fulle der moglichen Details die Prinzipien der Detaillierung. Zahlreiche, eigensangefertigte Zeichnungen erklaren die Prinzipien der Bauteile und verdeutlichen diese dannan realisiertenProjekten.

Die kompromisslose klare Bauweise macht die 1931 fertig gestellte Villa Savoye von Le Corbusier zu einer unverwechselbaren Ikone in der Architektur des 20. In diesem Guide wird sie anhand historischer Dokumente und neuer Aufnahmen sowohl dem Besucher vor Ort als auch dem architekturinteressierten Leser zuhause umfassend vorgestellt.

The influence on the interplay of technical progress, imagination and functional variety in footbridges are different from those affecting large-scale bridges. This fact has resulted in an exhaustible variety of distinctive design, as is beautifully illustrated by the selection of footbridges shown in this book. Essays clearly explain the technical aspects and the aesthetic potential of different structure designs. Footbridges contains detailed presentations of 90 european bridges, with text, comprehensive and detail plans, and photographs taken especially for the volume. With projects by Arup, Jurg Conzett, Foster and Partners, Happold, Schlaich Bergermann and Partners, Wilkinson Eyre, Jiri Strasky and others. The examples are organized chronologically in thematically focused chapters: lightweight bridges, moving bridges, covered bridges, taut-ribbon suspension bridges, arch bridges, etc. For those whose curiosity is aroused by the insight given into this type of bridge building, a compilation of 120 more footbridges, listed by location, provide a starting point for further investigation. Ursula Baus is an independent architecture critic and the author of numerous books and technical articles. She teaches at Stuttgart University. Mike Schlaich is a professor of massive construction at the Technische Universitat (Technical University) in Berlin and a partner of the firm Schlaich Bergermann and Partners. Wilfried Dechau is a photographer - he lives and works in Stuttgart and specializes in architecture, bridges, and portraits.

Nanotechnology is widely regarded as one of the twenty-first century's key technologies, and its economic importance is sharply on the rise. In architecture and the construction industry it has potentials that are already usable today, especially the coating of surfaces to lend them functional characteristics such as increased tensile strength, self-cleaning capacity, fire resistance, and others. Additives based on nanomaterials make common materials lighter, more permeable, and more resistant to wear. Nanomaterials are not only extremely useful for roofs and facades; they also expand design possibilities for interior and exterior rooms and spaces. Nano-insulating materials open up new possibilities for ecologically oriented architects.In this book, with a foreword by nobel prize winner Harold Kroto, architects, interior designers and designers will find an introduction to the scientific background specifically tailored to their needs, a critical discussion of the advantages and limits of the technology, and above all a comprehensive presentation of sixteen characteristics and functions of nanomaterials that are specially relevant for building and design, illustrated by numerous international project examples.Dipl.-Ing. interior designer BDIA Sylvia Leydecker is a practicing interior designer with her own firm in Cologne, 100% Interior. She represents the BDIA (Bund Deutscher Innenarchitekten, or Union of German Interior Architects/Designers) on the Architektenkammer Nordrhein-Westfalen (Chamber of Architects of North Rhine-Westphalia), serves as an instructor for a number of Architektenkammer academies, and is a member of the Kompetenzzentrum Nanotechnologie CC-NanoChem (Competence Center for Chemical Nanotechnology, or CC-NanoChem) and the Institute of Nanotechnology, or IoN, in Scotland. Numerous lectures and journal publications on the subject of nanotechnology in architecture, interior design, and design.

Examines and reviews its significance in an architectural, cultural, social and economical context. The authors look at developments and revolutionary kitchen concepts of the last decades including standardized kitchens and open kitchen living spaces.

Presents 22 international examples, that reviews the most important aspects of construction including the use of wood, steel, brickwork and concrete which have all become established materials for this type of building.

The Unite in Marseille was a pioneering acievement at a time when social housing in the post WWII years posed an immense problem. Freed from restrictive regulations for the first time, Le Corbusier was able to put into practice his concept of modern social housing.

This guide to the convent Saint Marie de la Tourette near Lyon provides plans, details, photographs and information about the impressive building. In 1952 Le Corbusier was commissioned to design the church, and the result represented a significant step in modern religious architecture.

In the 21st century, energy-efficient building will cease to be the exception and become the rule. This publication considers topics such as the development of new materials and concepts for residential estates, and showcases examples which demonstrate the technical and creative possibilities.

In the first half of the twentieth century, urban design under the influence of European dictatorships not only served to support the rulers in their own country, but also to gain the recognition of the democratic states. After the National Socialist regime came to power in Germany, urban design increasingly became the trump card in the competition amongst the large dictatorships in Europe - almost as in the time of absolutism. Irrespective of all conflicts and political orientations, there was an intense exchange of ideas amongst the states in Europe. It is therefore not adequate to make an assessment just from the point of view of the dictatorships. The overarching view helps to understand the special characteristics of each dictatorship and also disproves some simplified interpretations of their respective approaches to urban design. That is not just of historic interest; the discussion of the issue of dictatorships is always also an expression of our social condition, our commemorative culture, our ability to recognize old and new forms of dictatorship - even today! The book discusses the state of research into urban design under five dictatorships during the first half of the twentieth century, and presents new research results based on examples.

"e;Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover! ist heute die Leitlinie fur nachhaltiges Bauen, die an die Stelle der Wegwerfmentalitat der industriellen Moderne getreten ist. Das Autorenteam von der ETH Zurich und dem Future Cities Laboratory in Singapur gibt hier erstmals einen systematischen Uberblick uber die aus Abfall als erneuerbarem Rohstoff produzierten Baumaterialien und -elemente und uber ihre Anwendung in Architektur, Innenraumgestaltung und Produktdesign. Die Bandbreite der dargestellten Baustoffe reicht von marktgangigen Produkten, wie Fassadepaneele aus Stroh oder selbstheilender Beton, bis hin zu Neuentwicklungen wie Holzbauelemente aus Zeitungspapier oder Isolierfasern aus Jeansdenim. Die Produkte werdenauch in ihren Anwendung in gebauten oder prototypischen Projekten gezeigt. Das zugrunde liegende Konzept, Materialien in zusatzliche Lebenszyklen in der gebauten Umwelt zu uberfuhren, geht uber bloes Recycling weit hinaus und umfasst funf Gruppen von Produkten entsprechend ihrer Herstellungs- und Wirkungsweise: Verdichtung, physische Verwandlung, chemische Verwandlung, multifunktionale Gestaltung und biologisch-chemische Wachstumsprozesse. In einem weiteren Zugang werden die Produkte und Projekte nach ihren Einsatzmoglichkeiten im Tragwerk, als selbsttragende Elemente, fur Warmedammung und Feuchteschutz sowie im Ausbau gegliedert und dargestellt.