Why write alone? There is no such need if one finds him or herself sharing similar thoughts with others.

Cal Poly Pomona's Neutra VDL House hosted the West Coast book launch for "Treatise: Why Write Alone?", a project carried out by fourteen young design teams and organized by Jimenez Lai of Bureau Spectacular. Treatise resulted in a series of small publications that touch on unconventional and often whimsical views of architecture. Despite the project's idiosyncrasy, it is not to be taken too lightly, for the books act as a series of treatises that allow for critique, experimentation, and theory on current architectural issues.

Cal Poly Pomona students Parker Ammann, Denise Nugent, and Manny Zermeno peruse books from the inventory stock room.

Cal Poly Pomona students Ben Tunigold, Ever Vargas, and Mark Fagan overlook book sales.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to help run the book launch. When Cal Poly's architecture department chair Sarah Lorenzen first brought up the event, I made sure she allowed me to volunteer at the launch party. (Actually, I yelped as I threw my hands up in excitement. Then I urged her to put my name down for the list of Neutra VDL House volunteers for the day.) Jimenez Lai plugged Treatise when he lectured at Cal Poly Pomoma in fall, but to my dismay, the exhibition took place in Chicago, rather than Los Angeles. At the time, I did not know that there was even a West Coast event.

Jimenez Lai makes a speech in the VDL House courtyard.

I have been following much of the design offices affiliated with Treatise for some time now, and it has been an honor to join them in celebrating their work. Since I am still a student, it is particularly exciting to see such young individuals succeeding in the realm of architecture. Those of you who know me understand my interest in offbeat design and writing, so it only seems appropriate that I would take inspiration from such a project.

While the enterprise is a treatise for Jimenez and his peers, it has undoubted been a treat for us as well. 

The fourteen Treatise participants are Bittertang, Bureau Spectacular, CAMES/Gibson, Design With Company, Fake Industries Architectural Agonism, First Office, is-office, Andrew Kovacs, Alex Maymind, Norman Kelley, Point Supreme, SoftLab, SPEEDISM, and Young & Ayata.