Challenge of Suburbia

For an increasing number of people living in Western societies, suburbia is the primary living environment. For example, in the US more people live in the suburbs than in cities. As a result, 75% of all new construction in the US is in suburbia when only 5% of this is architect-designed.

This new book from Architectural Design presents an opportunity for architects to rake back a large sector of the housing and construction industry. It argues that suburbia offers a far greater potential for innovation than more conventional urban milieus.

• The first book to bring together projects in suburbia by experimental and progressive architects
• A primer for best practice for architects working on urban extensions and suburban projects
• It will encourage architects to re-introduce themselves to the field of action
• Will feature groundbreaking projects by Zaha Hadid, MVRDV, Dominique Perrault, Eyal Weizman, Lacaton & Vassal, R&Sie (François Roche), Sadar & Vuga and Wes Jones, and contributions by such as Bart Lootsma, Penelope Dean, Lars Lerup and Leon van Schaik

  Andreas Ruby studied History of Art at University of Cologne/Germany before undertaking post-graduate studies on the Theory and History of Architecture at the Ecole Spéciale d'Architecture Paris with Paul Virilio and at Columbia University New York with Bernard Tschumi. Prior to their collaboration at textbild, Andreas Ruby made his name as an architectural critic and theorist publishing regularly in international architectural magazines such as Assemblage (USA), A+U (Japan), Archis (Netherlands), DAIDALOS (Germany/USA), Bauwelt (Germany), Architektur Aktuell (Austria), Werk, Bauen + Wohnen (Switzerland) and many others. He also contributes regularly to major general public daily newspapers such as DIE ZEIT.

Ilka Ruby studied Architecture at RWTH Aachen/Germany. After practicing as an architect for some years, she now works as an editor, writer and graphic designer. In 2001, Andreas and Ilka Ruby set up their joint agency as a production facility for both publishing architectural books, magazines, essays, curating exhibitions and consulting architects.