Product Description

A dictionary for a world whose cities are linked by fiber optic cables and whose citizens are virtually global, a world where airports are meeting places and meetings take place via web conference, the Metapolis Dictionary of Advanced Architecture identifies a new architectural will and a new social and cultural panorama. From "abduction" to "zoom," radical definitions abound. Collected together they form a global, cross-disciplinary, multi-voiced vision of new architectural action. They define an architecture that is inscribed in information society, that is influenced by new technologies and new economies, and that concerns itself with the environment and sustainability. Entries have been written by the six main authors--Gausa, Guallart, Müller, Morales, Porras and Soriano--plus dozens of international contributors, including Iñaki Abalos & Juan Herreros, Stan Allen, Cecil Balmond, Ben van Berkel, Aaron Betsky, Eduard Bru, Greg Lynn, Josep Lluís Mateo, Frédéric Migayrou, Marcos Novak, José Pérez Arroyo, Andreas Ruby, Antonino Saggio, Saskia Sassen, Kelly Shannon, Lars Spuybroek, Roemer van Toorn and Mark Wigley. For the sake of accessibility, the dictionary has been organized according to three distinct systems. The main dictionary is laid out in alphabetical order, with each entry explained via one or various contributors' interpretations, plus a list of related words. Within this larger dictionary are two smaller ones: the ideological dictionary (see "ideological dictionary"), located roughly at the center of the book, offers analogical groups of words related to specific idea; the dictionary of aphorisms (see "synthetical") synthesizes some of the key definitions from the main dictionary in the form of mottos. Finally, please note that this is an illustrated dictionary, with images used to facilitate quick explanations of related terms.

Metapolis (multicity): Beyond the metropolis of the industrial era emerges the Metapolis of the digital era. The city is now a place of places, where numerous urban models coexist, each with its own qualities that make it different from the rest. In the Metapolis, the dwelling becomes a place where we live, work and rest--thanks to audiovisual and telematic systems--where the neighborhood is a multinational environment of direct relation between citizens and where zoning no longer has any meaning. The Metapolis creates complete environments (dwelling, leisure, commerce, education) in the proximity of the dwelling. --from the Metapolis entry in the Metapolis Dictionary of Advanced Architecture

With contributions by Manuel Gausa, Federico Soriano, Vicente Guallart, Willy Müller, José Morales, Fernando Porras and many others.

Hardcover, 6.29 x 9.05 in./688 pgs / 1500 color 0 BW0 duotone 0 ~ Item D20238

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #271151 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09
• Released on: 2003-08-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 688 pages

Customer Reviews

Half inspiring, half infuriating
This book has an interesting thrust behind it; to understand current ideas of urbanism and architecture theory, don't produce a timeless resource; instead, construct an index committed to the moment, that is destined to begin its obsolescence the second it's printed. It's best quality is its cluttered, jumbled design which floods you with imagery and conceptual points of departure.

Sadly, it seems that 2/3rds of architecture education is deliberate obfuscation; people muddying their waters so as to appear deep. Like much of the worst theory, this operates from a "We're so clever, that what we're saying can't be summarized." viewpoint that complicates simple ideas. If you're not into theoretical hair-splitting you're in for a rough time.

The books worst quality is it's fetishing of neologism. For complete annoyance you could look up these idiotic entries: 'benidorm' or 'mmm.' Other one-line entries for epic concepts that don't even offer fundamentals, are so broad as to be useless; look up 'colours!' (Say... that was useless!). No this isn't the book I'd turn to for a deep understanding of color but why include an entry at all?

At it's worst this is a coy, academic in-joke that worships jargon, in an attempt to influence the lexicon. ('delynneate,' get it? Greg Lynn...). At it's best it's an exhilarating look at ideas that may have a shelf-life of decades or a few months, relievedly free of blob worshipping.

excellent conceptual development
As an architecture student, I have found this book to be a valuable resource in terms of idea generation and development of design concepts. My professor, who practices architecture and makes use of the book on a professional level, recommended it to my classmates and I - I have used it ever since. Not only does it link terms with architectural concepts developed by well known and celebrated designers, it includes a number of interesting colour images. I highly recommend this to design students and professionals in any field, especially architecture. Happy reading!

mind blowing
I read and annotated an uncountable number of pages in this dictionary. Some people would say it is not easy to digest such a book in the literary way : IT IS A DICTIONARY !!! It has so many fresh ideas and concepts, you will never get such a dense concentrate of inspiration by subscribing to any architecture magazine for a year.

It is a massive book, and it is an incredible source of references, it is precious for anyone doing research (theoretical, applied), looking for inspiration to create forms, new relations. It just blew my mind, changed my vision on what architecture, urbanism, social sciences can be. Open any page, you will be surprised and inspired.

The many authors are -for most- radical, restless, passionnated, and they make no compromises with the content, celebrate what is good and promising and attacking the filth. In other publications of ACTAR (maybe the most exciting publisher on the world of architecture today (based in Catalunya Spain)) some contributors developed the philosophy called "Operative Optimism" (OPOP!) (sold on amazon too here :
http://www.amazon.com/Operative-Optimism-Federico-Soriano/dp/8495951606 ) and you can feel in this dictionnary the same constructive and playful energy. I haven't seen the Operative Optimism philosophical influence in enough construction out there, but I believe it is the spirit that underlies a generation of coming architects, entrepeneurs and citizens... Let's do it, organised, innovative, totally fun !

I just love it : it is curious, creative, useful, dense, generous.
I wish I took part of it...
Run, get it !!!