Architectus: Between Order and Opportunity

More and more laypeople are taking an interest in how their homes are built and the kind of impact the buildings have on the world around them. Architectus, formed in 2001 by Patrick Clifford in Auckland and Lindsay and Kerry Clare in Sydney, has led the way in addressing the need for buildings that are environmentally sound while also giving both experiential and architectural expression to sense of place. The group avoids digital formalism, carving an aesthetic based on their readings of climate, the necessity of structure, and the pleasures of detailing ordinary materials to celebrate the slight imperfections and irregularities that distinguish the hand-crafted from the machine-finished. In Architectus, Haig Beck and Jackie Cooper explore what makes this work both appealing and important. The book profiles 25 buildings — from residences to public spaces to aviation and transport design — with photographs, plans, sections, and details.