Labics - Structures

Labics is one of the leading young architectural practices in Italy. It has made a name for itself with contributions to international competitions and highly acclaimed buildings. Now the first monograph on their impressive work is published. The buildings and projects presented include residential and commercial buildings, museums, schools, public squares, meeting centres and underground stations - outside Italy in London, Finland, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, Switzerland and Iran. Atmospheric photographs and comprehensive plan material are used to present concepts and details of the buildings. The guiding concept for the book is the word "structures", which is explored in five thematic essays dealing with geometric structures, load-bearing structures, structures of public spaces, access structures and urban structures in an overarching sense. Each of the fields is fanned out and interpreted and then examined for its significance in Labics' work. These five thematic excursions form the framework into which the presentation of the 20 or so buildings and projects by the Roman office are hung.