Studio at Large: Architecture in Service of Global Communities

Living and working indoors has become increasingly difficult in past years even for the relatively prosperous middle-class American. For those living in squatters’ camps in Mexico, as migrant laborers, or on reservations the need for decent spaces has become acute. The faculty and students of the University of Washington’s BASIC initiative have supplied the means of designing projects to meet the need for community centers, libraries, and housing at the local, national and international levels, studying cultures, working with those who will use the facilities, and getting good practice in building in sustainability. The results are structures and sites that are both culturally and environmentally sensitive, accessible, and very fit for use. The authors include an annotated list of projects. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)