This year's releases will allow you to delve into the diverse world of architecture and design. Plunge into an anthology and find even more treasures in this meticulously assembled collection. Whatever your background, these books will be inspiring and reveal new perspectives in this constantly changing field of architecture and design. 

Otti Berger: Weaving for Modernist Architecture by Otti Berger

This book delves into the groundbreaking textile designs of Otti Berger, an overlooked pioneer of Bauhaus textile art. A key member of the Bauhaus textile faculty, Berger's fabrics revolutionized perceptions of textile possibilities. The comprehensive study includes her unpublished treatise, exploring her methodologies and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Judith Raum's research categorizes Berger's fabrics by application, providing a fresh perspective on her craftsmanship and business acumen. Despite being banned from work in 1936 due to her Jewish heritage, Berger's legacy endures, making this book an essential exploration of her innovative contributions to 20th-century textile design. 

The Art of Architectural Grafting by Jeanne Gang

Architect Jeanne Gang advocates for applying the ancient plant cultivation technique of grafting in architecture and urban design to address climate change. Grafting, connecting two separate plants for mutual growth, is proposed as an untapped paradigm for adapting existing buildings to climate challenges, influencing architecture on various scales, including tectonic, programmatic, formal, and regenerative adaptations. 

Doshi: The Art of Balkrishna by Balkrishna Doshi

This monograph discusses the postmodern creativity of Balkrishna Doshi (1927-2023), the first Indian architect to win the Pritzker Prize. Doshi, known for modernist and brutalist architecture, creates abstract paintings of space dominated by dark colors with mixed influences from the West and India. 

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Into the Quiet and the Light: Water, Life, and Land Loss by Virginia Hanusik

"Into the Quiet and the Light" offers a nuanced portrayal of life in South Louisiana amid climate challenges and fossil fuel legacies. Virginia Hanusik's photos and diverse reflections explore the region's complexity, challenging simplistic disaster narratives and inviting readers to engage with its multifaceted history and environment. 

Everlasting Plastics Edited by Tizziana Baldenebro, Lauren Leving, Joanna Joseph, and Isabelle Kirkham-Lewitt

"Everlasting Plastics" dabbles into humans' difficult connection with plastics and their ubiquitous nature in our everyday lives. The book, a follow-up to the exhibition at the 2023 Venice Biennale, delves into personal and political considerations of our interwoven relationship with plastics, exploring as much harm as potential prospects for an uncertain future we all share. 

It goes beyond a static catalog, fostering a dynamic conversation through diverse formats, engaging with the multifaceted dimensions of our interaction with plastic materials and ideas. 

A Secret History of Empty Lots by Christopher Brown

Brown takes readers on a journey through Texas, exploring the state's history and nature. Accompanied by friends, Brown searched for artifacts, discussing the region's rich indigenous history, nomadic cultures, and the impact of colonization. The narrative addresses the clash between urban development and nature, reflecting on American Indian Heritage Month and recognizing the traces of ancient cultures in the land.

The expedition reveals a connection to deep time, emphasizing the cyclical nature of human impact and nature's resilience.  

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