ChoreographingSpace Format: Paperback

Choreographing Space is a reflection on the collaborative work of New York City-based architecture practice, e+i studio. In the book, the founders of the practice, Eva Perez de Vega and Ian Gordon, outline a fascinating selection of projects from the studio, which will take the reader on a journey and give them a key understanding of the important work of this dynamic and forward-thinking architecture and design practice.

This insightful book offers both a retrospective and speculative outlook. Retrospectively, it explores the people, places and practices that have influenced each project. For certain projects it also proposes speculative post-human scenarios, to support the idea that the impact of architecture on its environment involves a reconning with the ecologies it replaces.

The book is uniquely structured. Organised into four parts, each part opens with a philosophical text that acts as an insightful prelude to the topics, questions and reflections posed by each project. Each part concludes with a speculative scenario, where one of the projects is imagined thriving in a future where life is now almost extinct. These are not intended as apocalyptic or even nostalgic scenarios, but rather as affirmative alternatives to the bleak imaginary arising from the world’s current climate crisis.

Choreographing Space involves the self-reflexive act of selecting the conceptual strands of each project and organising them under headings, or species. Much like the concept of speciation where living creatures are categorised into seemingly related groups, under their genus. This type of grouping synthesizes the ideas, intents and hopes for each project, and looks into how it could have been implemented differently. Nothing is static, or definite; projects are in continuous process of becoming, as they continue to relate to evolving ecologies of thought.

The work of e+i studio is informed by a strong background in movement related practices that approaches architecture as an interdisciplinary practice, emerging from an exploration of the performance of matter and bodies in space. Founders Eva and Ian say: “For us, architecture is a material manifestation of choreographed space. In other words, we seek to propose solutions that engage all users, is performative, and takes into account change in time and use.” Eva Perez de Vega is an architect, designer and educator. She holds a Masters and Bachelors degree in Architecture and Civil Engineering from the University of Madrid, School of Advanced Architecture (ETSAM), a Masters in Philosophy from the New School for Social Research, and currently in the PhD in Philosophy program. Prior to establishing e+i studio, Eva was lead design architect at Reiser + Umemoto, RUR Architecture PC. She teaches architecture and design at Parsons the New School for Design since 2004, and is professor of architecture Pratt Institute School of Architecture. She has previously taught at the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton School of Architecture. Originally from Rome, Italy, she has lived in New York City since 2001. 

The work of e+i studio is informed by a strong background in movement related practices that approaches architecture as an interdisciplinary practice, emerging from an exploration of the performance of matter and bodies in space. Founders Eva and Ian say: “For us, architecture is a material manifestation of choreographed space. In other words, we seek to propose solutions that engage all users, is performative, and takes into account change in time and use.”Ian Gordon is a licensed architect in New York State with experience working in New York, North Carolina in the US, and Madrid in Spain. Prior to e+i studio, Ian worked as an architect for Studio Daniel Libeskind. He received his Master’s Degree in Advanced Architectural Design (AAD) and graduated with honors from Columbia University. He holds a Bachelors degree from NC State University and has a background in Fine Arts. He has taught at Columbia GSAPP and currently teaches at Parsons The New School For Design. Originally from Manilla, Philippines, Ian travelled significantly before settling in New York City.