Project Archive: An Architectural Survey of Socially Engaging Extracanonical Works: Volume 1: Socially Engaging Forms of Domesticity

Project Archive reforms the contemporary architectural discipline’s understanding of the built environment.

The content encourages the audience to acknowledge the role of architecture as a political actant. Featured projects prioritize an attitude that goes beyond its formal elements of the current architectural canon. The projects give importance to both formal aesthetics and the ability to serve the urgent social needs of a community.  Included projects also forefront lower-tech solutions. They enforce culturally resilient models of domesticity as sustainable living and a longer-term response to ongoing environmental crises. Thus, showcasing extra-canonical works provides an opportunity to reflect on diverse solutions.

The content endorses learnings from regionally specific and environmentally resilient models of architecture. This book provides diversity in knowledge systems, and varied responses to; reforming traditional modes of domesticity, response to environmental and social crises and diverse conditions of a landscape. Developed through a decentralized research process, the book also creates space for interdisciplinary projects with contributions from sociologists, anthropologists, historians, architects, etc. Featured list of writers include members at varied levels within academic institutions, architecture enthusiasts and independent researchers.

Namrata Dhore is a designer and researcher based in NYC. She is currently pursuing her MS in architecture at Columbia University and working towards being a licensed architect in New York. She has previously worked as architectural designer in New York and collaborated with RISD Museum and A.I.R Galleries.

Christina Truwit is an architect, artist, and academic currently based in Providence, RI. She received her Master’s of Architecture from Rhode Island School of Design, after attending Allegheny College for her degree in Mathematics and Studio Art. Today, she teaches architecture at Rhode Island School of Design.

Sofie Kusaba is a multidisciplinary musician, architect, writer, and digital artist who is currently interested in the intersection of queer identity and social engagement through the metaverse. Sofie is a recent graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and Fine Arts.