Archinect - News

Domestic Frontiers series: Mass Market Alternatives

2018-01-19T11:52:00-05:00

The first in a series of shows spotlighting research by Pratt Undergraduate Architecture Faculty on the future of Domestic Architecture in 21st Century. This exhibition, featuring the work of John Szot is entitled MASS MARKET ALTERNATIVES.

"Industrialization has had a profound effect on the American suburb. Only American audacity could have concocted and executed the formula for mass-produced homes that dominates the suburban real estate market in the United States. And only in America could such a formula become an economic and political juggernaut, making places where matters of personal taste are amplified into cultural bulwarks."

"'Mass Market Alternatives' seeks to exploit the economic leverage and aesthetic principles of mass-market suburban housing in order to diversify its potential customer base and challenge the reputation of the suburbs as enclaves of conservatism and political conformity."

The exhibition opens on January 22 and runs until February 9. A gallery talk will tak...

Mass Market Alternatives at Pinkcomma Gallery

2017-03-07T20:33:00-05:00

Starting Wednesday, March 8, the Pinkcomma Gallery in Boston will be showing a collection of drawings, models, and videos documenting a collection of algorithmically-generated suburban homes by John Szot.

conceptual statement:

Industrialization has had a profound effect on the American suburb. Only American audacity could have concocted and executed the formula for mass-produced homes that dominates the suburban real estate market in the United States. And only in America could such a formula become an economic and political juggernaut, making places where matters of personal taste are amplified into cultural bulwarks.
“Mass Market Alternatives” seeks to exploit the economic leverage and aesthetic principles of mass-market suburban housing in order to diversify its potential customer base and challenge the reputation of the suburbs as enclaves of conservatism and political conformity.

about the architect:

John Szot is an award-winning architect living in New York, and his work related to...

CHATTER opening at the Art Institute of Chicago - April 11

2015-04-04T15:00:00-04:00

Architecture is a perpetual conversation between the present and the past, knowing full well that the future is listening. So what happens when this dialogue is influenced by contemporary modes of communication such as texting, Twitter, and Instagram? Chatter: Architecture Talks Back looks at the diverse contemporary methods and approaches wielded by five emerging architects: Bureau Spectacular, Erin Besler, Fake Industries Architectural Agonism, Formlessfinder, and John Szot Studio.

CHATTER is opening next weekend (April 11th) at the Art Institute of Chicago with a panel discussion featuring Jimenez Lai (Bureau Spectacular), John Szot, Chris Grimley (over,under), and Kelly Bair. The exhibit also features work from Iker Gil (MAS Studio and MAS Context).

"Architecture and the Unspeakable" full-length film now released

2014-10-13T18:57:00-04:00

The full-length version of "Architecture and the Unspeakable", directed by John Szot and produced by Brooklyn Digital Foundry, is now officially released to the public. The film features three architecture proposals by John Szot Studio, who visualized three fictional buildings in SoHo, Tokyo, and Detroit. Each building represents a pathological issue that also contributes to the cultural dialogue in architecture, thus exploring the connection between virtual architecture and the physical world.

The film has been featured at public events throughout the U.S. since last month. An upcoming screening is currently scheduled for November 13 at the Pinkcomma Gallery in Boston.

Check out the film in its entirety right below.

Also find Archinect's previous interviews with John Szot here.

Architecture and the Unspeakable - upcoming screenings

2014-09-09T15:56:00-04:00

John Szot will be presenting the short film "Architecture and the Unspeakable" at Jai & Jai Gallery in Los Angeles on September 18th at 7:00pm and at the Woodbury University School of Architecture on September 19th at 6:30pm. Both evenings will include a brief presentation of the architectural proposals illustrated in the film, followed by Q&A with the director/designer.

Facebook event listings:
LA - https://www.facebook.com/events/519983371466102/
San Diego - https://www.facebook.com/events/720590088014135/

Editor's Picks #362

2014-04-08T18:37:00-04:00

Amelia conducted an i nterview with John Szot answering questions on Architecture and the Unspeakable, a triptych of short, magnificently animated films.

News

Professor Andrew Ross, penned an editorial High Culture and Hard Labor regarding Guggenheim Museum’s Saadiyat Island project. Later, Al Jazeera America looked at the efforts by Global Ultra Luxury Faction, an offshoot of Gulf Labor (Professor Ross is a member) "working since 2011 to bring attention to the conditions that the workers on Saadiyat Island withstand".

Miles Jaffe pondered "Where does an architect's responsibility begin and where does it end?"

Ayesha Ghosa provided a recap of Belgian political philosopher Chantal Mouffe’s recent talk at GSAPP's spring lecture series.

"Basically to summarize, for political activism to enact change, Mouffe believes it is better to intervene and transform the existing codes rather than ‘start from scratch.’...In the systemic interventions and transformations she proposes – Mouffe seems to...

Architecture and the Unspeakable 3 - Teaser Release

2014-01-24T20:34:00-05:00

Today we released a teaser for the last installment of the Architecture and the Unspeakable video series. The full video is set to premiere in Chicago on April 8th as part of the MAS CONTEXT Spring talks for 2014. See this for more details.

MAS CONTEXT: ABBERATION launches!

2011-12-06T17:12:23-05:00

If firmness, utility, and delight are the enduring pinnacles of architectural achievement, then it would appear architecture’s moral destiny is a foregone conclusion. But is it possible that opportunities for valuable cultural insight are being lost out of deference to this legacy? We examine forces, trends, and ideas that enhance the significance of the built environment despite, or due to, their deviant nature.

Latest issue of MAS CONTEXT now available on-line - fresh content from Lebbeus Woods, Paul Shepheard, Jürgen Mayer H, formlessfinder, Luis Urculo, and...MAS!

Also includes the next part of the 3-part video series "Architecture and the Unspeakable" from our studio: the Shibuya Tower Project (link below)

Architecture and the Unspeakable

2011-04-17T19:30:29-04:00

We just released a video featuring the first in a series of three design proposals that examine the potential in building pathology. Design / art direction by us, video direction and production by www.brooklynfoundry.com. For your consideration... watch here.