Prefabricated housing is a pressing issue - for those looking for affordable homes as well as for refugees fleeing wars or natural disasters. In common with politicians, architects were caught unawares by the largest wave of migration since the end of the Second World War. However, are tent cities and containers the best solution for cheap, dignified, and quickly assembled accommodation for displaced persons? This challenging situation, along with the changing urban landscape, with its ever-diminishing space, calls into question existing standards in relation to serial housing. Bold and unconventional ideas are called for if architects are to offer high-quality solutions. From eccentric experiments all the way to projects that have already been realized, international design teams present their work between the twin poles of unconventional developments and life-saving shelters in this volume spanning more than 250 pages. Introduced with articles on design principles, and divided into three sections according to the form the structures take when delivered - cuboid, panels and custom units - the book covers everything from playful follies to architectural constructions for the homeless and out patient medical stations which offer a response to social problems and space shortages. The text, photographs and plans put forward ideas as to how more can be done than the mere assembling of containers. Should we not first consider notions bordering on the absurd in order to come up with workable solutions for housing today?

The Architectural Guide Australia presents over 200 projects in the vast island continent that is home to natural wonders, coastal settlements, and tropical climates up north. Each chapter, dedicated to one of the nation’s eight state capitals, presents buildings that represent the major moments in the country’s architectural history, from its colonial origins to the contemporary era. The book includes a short introduction to Australia’s most influential architects as well as essays by Harry Seidler, John Gollings, and David Bridgman. Seidler’s essay argues for the incorporation of sunlight and shadow, phenomena so distinctly characteristic of the country’s climate, into architectural design both from an aesthetic and practical standpoint. Gollings offers a historical sweep of Australian architecture before identifying the three major architectural strands of contemporary Australia. Bridgman explores the challenges of designing in the hot-humid tropics in particular, outlining the climatic considerations that must be accounted for when building in those regions. Each chapter also includes an interview with a prominent architectural practice active in the respective city. The architects offer their views on the characteristics of Australian architecture and comment on their own practice within this context. With its comprehensive map, aerial photographs, and array of images, this book is the ideal companion for those exploring Australia.

Mexico City has withstood enormous changes throughout its history. Once the capital of the Aztec Empire, it has continuously evolved over the centuries to become one of the largest megalopolises in the world. The exuberant metropolis of the present day can be seen as a patchwork of Aztec, Hispanic, and contemporary Western cultures. Both local and internationally renowned artists and architects have brought their talents to this capital, which has also been the site of large-scale urban projects such as the construction of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). The city has also been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, thanks to its wealth of artworks and innovative designs. The Architectural Guide Mexico City takes readers on a tour of 100 buildings and monuments from across the city. The entries are illustrated with 230 photographs, drawings, and maps. This updated second-edition of the guide includes two new essays presenting the legacy of the architect Luis Barragan and contemporary architecture in Mexico.