PROXIMITIES

A study of the work of Jon Lott and his New York-based design firm Para project. 

Proximities: The Architecture of Jon Lott is an exploration into the practice of Para Project, a design firm based in Amenia, NY, and the philosophies of its founder Jon Lott. Lott's work, characterized by its openness to reconfiguration and its dialogue with context, is presented through five key projects: Haffenden House, Pioneertown House, Stump House, Brugge Diptych, and Couple Lean-tos.

The book probes the significance of proximity and approximation in Lott's work and emphasizes how these elements facilitate a deeper engagement with the surroundings. Structured around thematic prompts such as "Readings/Reflections," "Proximities/Aapproximations," and "Diptychs/Doubles," it offers a multifaceted examination of Lott’s design approach and also highlights the playful and improvisational aspects of Lott's methodology.

Featuring theoretical discourse and practical insights, Proximities is both an architectural monograph and a philosophical inquiry into the nature of creating and experiencing space. It is essential reading for those interested in the intersections of architecture, philosophy, and environmental interaction.

Julie Cirelli is a Stockholm-based American journalist and editor and co-director of Zurich-based architecture publishing house Park Books.