Typological Formations

ypological Formations is a speculation on the relevance of a renewed interest in typology as a tool for reasoning and producing the urban plan. With architectural discourse and experimentation entrenched in the opposing camps of generic form making and architecture as cultural commentary, Typological Formations outlines a new framework through typology, a mode of mediation between the critical and the generative- a generic mode of experimentation and a tool for affecting specific change in the city. Edited by the unit masters of Diploma Unit 6, and including essays by Larry Barth, Christopher Lee, Sam Jacoby and Brett Steele, the book draws together unit works of the past three years. The book contains 14 typological visions for the city, exposing and circumnavigating the predicaments of staging and regulating ubiquitous, contingent and pliant urban plans through the evolution of renewable and adaptive types. If urbanity is the composite effect of dominant types, investigation on the nature and potential of 21st-century types is critical in any attempt to stage alternative visions for our cities.