Sustainability is the key concept of our time. It’s hard to imagine the world 500 years ago; it’s even more difficult to imagine it 1,000 years from now. What will it look like? This is an impossible question to answer, but forms an important part of the human story. As a species, we are capable of so much, and the desire to improve our impact on the planet is there; large fast-food behemoths are finally taking action to ban plastic straws. Perhaps we are starting to take a step in the right direction? As a society, we have had decades of mass polluting and over-consumption, but now we are waking up to the consequences of our actions. Real change is happening at last.
Inside this issue we look at books from Prestel and Laurence King; Why Materials Matter and Manufacturing Architecture both examine consumer models and how products need to have a longer life span than a single use. It’s fundamental to note that both designers and architects are responding with ingenious solutions. It’s this type of technology and innovation that will transform the way we live.
We also take a bird’s eye view into North Korean architecture through Oliver Wainwright’s photography. Considering the current diplomatic situation between North Korea and South Korea, alongside the USA, it’s a timely glimpse at a place that has been closed to outside influences. London Fashion Week is one of the world’s top events for discovering the latest trends, but for us, it’s about exploring how practitioners are making an impact.
In photography, we look at spaces and humanity’s interaction with them. There are five artists included: James Casebere, Kevin Krautgartner, Romain Veillon, Brooke DiDonato and Esther Hovers. We have also undertaken our annual collaboration with London College of Communication, foregrounding the next generation of talent. Juno Calypso and Emma Hartvig are amongst those who have previously come through this initiative. Sally Ann and Emily May Gunawan have created a new series for us, which considers points of departure between land and sea. Finally, Thomas Wrede gives us the Last Words.
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Credits:
1. Photography by Sally Ann & Emily May. Styling by Amy Wanderlove. Hair & Make Up by Dempsey Rai. Model: Merry Mae @ Chadwick Sydney / The Society NY. Location: Hornby Lighthouse, Sydney, Australia.
2. Kevin Krautgartner, from the series Reduced to the Max. Courtesy of the artist.
3. Courtesy of Taschen © Oliver Wainwright.
4. Flora Leung / MATTER MATTERS STUDIO.
5. Esther Hovers, False Positives, Overview E Timeframe: 0 min 04. © 2015 – 2016 Esther Hovers.
