The Architecture Shelf

Environmental Activism by Design
Coleman Coker, author
Sarah Gamble, author
Applied Research & Design
c/o ORO Editions
31 Commerical Blvd., Suite F, Novato, CA 94949
www.oroeditions.com
9781954081796, $35.00, PB, 200pp

https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Activism-Design-Coleman-Coker/dp/19540= 81790

Synopsis: "Environmental Activism by Design" is a monograph by architects a=
nd educators Coleman Coker and Sarah Gamble. They seek to challenges design= ers to actively engage the environmental crisis through their work, while a= rticulating an optimistic, tangible means to pursue community good and envi= ronmental justice through design activism and engagement.

"Environmental Activism by Design" advocates that in addition to greener bu= ildings, cheaper housing, and technological fixes, in this era of Climate C= hange and its challenges, architects must rethink pedagogy and praxis so th=
at every single architecture graduate can define equity and transform the p= rofession.

"Environmental Activism by Design" centers on the award-winning Gulf Coast = DesignLab at the University of Texas, which works directly with clients and=
stakeholders to produce spaces for the public to learn and researchers to = undertake their environmental work. "Environmental Activism by Design" asks=
environmentally aware architects and designers to challenge themselves, as=
agents of social equity, environmental justice, and climate action, to pur= sue operative practices and transformation rather than mere keywords and co= nsensus.

Critique: This large format (7.75 x 0.75 x 9.75 inches, 1.83 pounds) hardco= ver edition of "Environmental Activism by Design" is expertly illustrated w= ith numerous full color illustrations and features an informative three pag=
e Foreword (An Architecture of Sentient Beings), a ten page Introduction, a=
fourteen page Conclusion, and three page Afterword (Why Do We Do What We D= o?). "Environmental Activism by Design" is an inherently fascinating, insig= htful, thoughtful and thought-provoking read and an especially recommended = addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university libr= ary Sustainability/Green Design collections and supplemental Architectural = Criticism curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note #1: Coleman Coker (https://soa.utexas.edu/faculty/coleman-co= ker) is the Professor of Practice at the University of Texas at Austin Scho=
ol of Architecture and director of the Gulf Coast DesignLab there. He is al=
so a Loeb Fellow in Advanced Environmental Studies at Harvard University Gr= aduate School of Design and a Rome Prize recipient from the American Academ=
y in Rome. Coker is an Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (A= CSA) 2019 Architectural Education Award Winner for his community-outreach w= ork with the Gulf Coast DesignLab. He is past director of the Memphis Cente=
r of Architecture, a design program focused on urban ecologies through the = art of building.

Editorial Note #2: Sarah Gamble (https://dcp.ufl.edu/faculties/sarah-gamble=
) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida School of Architec= ture, following teaching at the University of Texas at Austin from 2011 to = 2018. Gamble's academic research focuses on context and how the design proc= ess is catalyzed by the surrounding environment and designers' understandin=
g of it. Gamble previously served as Architect for the Texas Historical Com= mission's Main Street Program, Principal at GO collaborative, and Architect=
at the Austin Community Design and Development Center.

Oak-Framed Buildings
Rupert Newman
The GMC Group
www.gmcbooks.com
9781784946616, $35.00, PB, 192pp

https://www.amazon.com/Oak-Framed-Buildings-Rupert-Newman/dp/1784946613

Synopsis: When it comes to architecture, it is well known that oak-framed p= rojects stand the test of time. The longevity of the mighty oak trees that = grow for centuries is echoed in oak-framed buildings

Now in a newly updated edition from The GMC Group, "Oak-Framed Buildings" b=
y Rupert Newman is the 'go-to' resource for carpenters, builders, aspiring = DIYers, and anyone who appreciates beautiful, durable, and environmentally = friendly structures.

Revised and fully up-to-date. "Oak-Framed Buildings" has been substantially=
revised to bring it completely up-to-date and in compliance with current b= uilding technology and standards. It combines traditional building techniqu=
es with modern materials and installation methods, resulting in solid build= ings with a high standard of energy efficiency.

"Oak-Framed Buildings" covers: Practical information about the history of t= imber framing; The structural qualities of oak; How-to get started; Techniq= ues of timber-frame construction; Designing frames; Making and raising fram= es; The building envelope; Finishing details -- and much more!

Critique: Informatively enhanced with the inclusion of 180 stunning full-co= lor photographs of structures in various stages of construction and some 90=
three-dimensional illustrations, "Oak-Framed Buildings" is an effective me= lding of centuries-old techniques with 21st century environmental and energ= y-saving standards -- an essential resource for professional and non-profes= sionals alike. Exceptionally well written, impressively organized, and thor= oughly 'user friendly' in presentation, this newly updated and expanded edi= tion of "Oak-Framed Buildings" is especially and unreservedly recommended f=
or personal, professional, community, college, and university library Archi= tectural Studies collections and supplemental curriculum reading lists.

Editorial Note: Rupert Newman has been actively involved in carpentry since=
the age of 12. He has a degree in Naval Architecture and has worked as a s= hipwright, but is now the owner of a company employing a number of highly s= killed craftsmen and apprentices, building modern structures with green oak=
in the traditional way.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

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