Beyond the Envelope

Through a survey of twenty-one architectural projects completed in the twenty-first century, this book documents an in-depth investigation of architectural technologies and their application in practice by leading contemporary architects. These twenty-one architects work at the frontiers of design, production and construction technologies. Structured by a classification of six themes through which all twenty-one projects are cross sectioned, with the lens of the building envelope.

This book is a unique document, comprising original graphic analysis and professional photographs of the 21 projects, and a transcribed interview with each architect. Ultimately, this survey raises questions about the nature design- and practice-based applied research in architecture, and how students, and both young and seasoned architects, can learn from the innovative contemporary architecture and their architects.

The interviews were conducted online and were broadcast as part of the public program of lectures and events at the School of Architecture and Design (SoAD) at New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). The analysis of the projects was carried out by students in a Master of Architecture graduate seminar course, ARCH 791 Beyond the Envelope: Pioneering Technology in Architecture, taught by Professor Tom Verebes in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

About the Author

Tom Verebes is the provost of Turenscape Academy and the director of OCEAN CN in Hong Kong. Iwan Baan is a Dutch photographer.