Actar Publishers

05/20/2025

What if architecture looked backward, not forward?

In Sub-Urbanism and the Art of Memory, Sébastien Marot argues that the architectural project should begin not with a brief, but with the site—read in depth and through the lens of memory. This compelling manifesto draws on Freud’s metaphor of the city as memory, Frances Yates’ mnemonic imagination, and Georges Descombes’ park in suburban Geneva, weaving together intellectual insight and spatial storytelling.

Originally published in 2003, this Architectural Association School of Architecture documents re-edition revives Marot’s timely message for today’s architects and urbanists: reframe your work through memory to renew your approach to design.

Edited by Dr Kristina Rapacki, Anna Lisa Reynolds, and Max Z.. Designed by George Haughton and Sascha Lobe.

Published by Architectural Association Publications
Available now on

- 20,00€ - Sébastien Marot This book is a sub-urbanist manifesto. Its author, Sébastien Marot, challenges the dominant role of the programme in regulating the design project, and argues that instead attention should be redirected towards the site – the site read in depth, with an active regard...

04/29/2025

Inside this box lie infinite possibilities—rearrange, add, subtract, curate, and orchestrate at will; the performance is yours.

The AA Book 2024 brings together hundreds of projects from across all academic programs at the Architectural Association. This year's edition invites you to orchestrate and curate your own narratives, assembling and rearranging ideas and images in infinite ways.

Edited by Ryan Dillon and Anna Lisa Reynolds, published by AA Publications, and distributed by Actar D, this softcover boxed volume (30x30 cm) is a must-have for anyone passionate about the evolving world of architecture.

Grab yours on https://actar.com/product/aa-book-2024/.

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04/15/2025

Will Madrid feel like Marrakech by 2050?
According to climate projections, the Iberian Peninsula is on track for a +3.5°C summer temperature rise. For cities like Madrid, that means confronting climate change as an immediate, lived experience—not a future abstraction.

Arquitectura #388: Clima explores the architectural implications of this climate shift: How must we rethink buildings, cities, and our reliance on fossil fuels?

This issue complements #387 (Territory), expanding the conversation around decarbonization and ecological transformation in architecture.

With contributions by Ana Amado, Silvia Benedito, Eduardo Prieto, Iñaki Ábalos, Ensamble Studio, and many more.
Edited by Silvia Benedito, Eduardo Prieto, Javier García-Germán, and Alejandro Valdivieso.

Published by Fundación Arquitectura Revista Arquitectura COAM COAM - Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid | Distributed by Actar Publishers

📘 Bilingual edition | 168 pages | February 2025
🔗 Available now at

- 29,00€ - Clima Javier García-Germán and Alejandro Valdivieso Although there are still some skeptics, climate change is an incontestable reality. Perhaps it is only a question of poorly informed citizens, because climate change is unanimously supported by the scientific community and, according...

04/11/2025

Can matter become a political force in design?
Matter Matters dives into the ecological, social, and philosophical dimensions of materials. Structured around eight material categories—from digital to microbiological—it reflects on design’s potential to transform our world.

Featuring over 500 objects from the Museo del Disseny-DHUB and contributions from thinkers like Karen Barad, Benjamin Bratton, and Timothy Morton, the book challenges us to reconsider what materials mean in a society working toward carbon neutrality.

Edited by Olga Subirós. Designed by Alex Gifreu.
Published by Actar Publishers and Barcelona.cat.

Available in English, Spanish and Catalan: https://actar.com/product/matter-matters-eng-ed/

05/01/2024

Dive into the world of architecture with our discounted pack featuring two thought-provoking books by Canadian architect Reza Aliabadi (rzlbd).

🏢 "The Empty Room": Explore the essence of space as Aliabadi challenges conventional architecture, focusing on the invisible voids between walls. Rediscover the basic principles of architecture and reshape your perception of space.

💡 "100 Rooms": Complementing 'The Empty Room', this visual guide presents plans and models of rooms, exploring the formal expression of space from within. Unlock infinite possibilities and imagine the essence of the empty room.

🔖 Don't miss out on this exclusive offer! Get your pack now and delve into the depths of architectural philosophy. Visit https://actar.com/product/the-empty-room-100-rooms/ to order today!

- 38,00€ - Fragmented Thoughts on Space RZLBD (Reza Aliabadi) Part aphorism and part manifesto, this book by Canadian architect Reza Aliabadi (RZLBD) references his ideas and thoughts about space. He suggests 'the empty room' as the very essence of architecture, and 'the spatial experience' as its...

04/23/2024

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04/13/2024

In this comprehensive study focusing on Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Khaled Alawadi delves into the intricate dynamics of street connectivity at both the neighborhood and city scales. The research hones in on two key parameters of street network analysis: efficiency and centrality.

Efficiency, measured in terms of directness, underscores the importance of designing networks that offer swift and direct access between origins and destinations. Centrality, evaluated through graph theory metrics, allows for the pinpointing of high- and low-accessibility locations within networks, crucial for understanding location advantage in land use distribution.

Why does this matter? A deep comprehension of centrality empowers us to strategically plan land uses that bring essential destinations closer to residences, fostering environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

Alawadi's findings challenge the conventional suburban model of low-density, automobile-centric development. Instead, he proposes an evidence-based suburban design model for future cities. By analyzing case studies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, he illustrates how suburbs can be reimagined to prioritize pedestrian accessibility.

But it doesn't stop there. This research goes beyond theory to offer scientifically grounded strategies and policies. Alawadi believes these insights will empower stakeholders to design more sustainable street systems and land uses, transforming neighborhoods for the better.

The novelty of this work lies in its dual contributions to urban design scholarship and practice. Firstly, it presents evidence-based research, offering a rigorous and scientific approach to physical planning, unlike traditional narrative-driven recommendations. Secondly, Alawadi's methodology combines morphological mapping and network analysis, providing a critical lens for advancing both scholarship and practice in city building.

As suburbs continue to shape urban development, it's imperative to rethink their design. Instead of vilifying or ignoring them, let's embrace evidence-based strategies to create more sustainable, accessible, and vibrant communities. Join Khaled Alawadi in reshaping the future of urban living!

Get your copy today at

- 40,00€ - Morphological and Network Analysis Review Khaled Alawadi Streets play significant roles in meeting multiple sustainability objectives. This research addresses Abu Dhabi’s and Dubai’s street connectivity at the neighborhood (local) and city (global) scales. It focuses on two paramete...

04/09/2024

We're thrilled to share that we'll be part of Construmat taking place at Fira Barcelona from May 21st to 23rd.

Explore with us as we delve into solutions focused on accessibility, energy efficiency, and the utilization of local materials to enrich lives. CONSTRUMAT offers a platform where professionals from across the sector converge to discover the latest advancements and innovations driving success in the market.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative event that champions sustainability and pushes the boundaries of construction.

You can register and know more here: construmat.com

See you there!

04/09/2024

🚀 Exciting Announcement: Introducing "Housing Laboratory/Laboratorio de Vivienda" 📚

In 2017, Mexico's Institute for the National Fund for Workers (INFONAVIT) Center for Research for Sustainable Development embarked on a groundbreaking journey to revolutionize affordable housing. The result? A dynamic collaboration with MOS Architects led to the development of a master plan for a campus featuring 32 innovative prototypes and the creation of an education center aimed at promoting awareness and study of workers' housing typologies.

The selection process uncovered a myriad of approaches, spanning from reimagining spatial organization to reworking labor and construction techniques, all while maintaining a keen eye on sustainability and affordability. Unlike traditional models, these projects draw inspiration from contemporary vernacular construction, ensuring a harmonious blend of functionality and aesthetics.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of "Housing Laboratory/Laboratorio de Vivienda," a comprehensive showcase of the 32 selected and built projects. This extraordinary compilation features in-depth research, detailed drawings, and insightful descriptions by the architects themselves.

Additionally, it includes an illuminating essay by Giovanna Borasi, Director of the CCA, CCA, Centre Canadien d'Architecture / Canadian Centre for Architecture, titled "A Large Urban Garden Where You Can Learn About Architecture."

With contributions from a stellar lineup including Carlos Zedillo Velasco, Taller Frida Escobedo, Tatiana Bilbao Estudio, and many more, "Laboratorio de Vivienda" promises to be a pivotal resource for anyone passionate about redefining the landscape of low-income housing. Each project not only embodies architectural excellence but also offers a glimpse into the transformative power of community-driven design.

Grab your copy today at https://actar.com/product/housing-laboratory/

03/26/2024

Join us at Fabricate conference 2024, hosted at CITA, Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen, Denmark from April 4th to 6th, 2024!

Since its inception, FABRICATE has been a global platform fostering discussions on revolutionary opportunities in design, manufacturing, computation, material science, and assembly. With past conferences in London, Zurich, Stuttgart, and online, FABRICATE has welcomed thousands of international delegates, showcasing only the most innovative projects.

This year, FABRICATE 2024, co-chaired by Professors Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen and Phil Ayres, promises to extend its legacy of pushing the boundaries of architectural production. With a focus on computational design, sustainability, and resource consciousness, FABRICATE 2024 seeks to challenge the norms of the AEC industry and explore new paradigms in architecture.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to engage in discussions, share insights, and witness radical departures in architectural design and fabrication. Let's rethink how we design and make architecture for a more sustainable and inclusive future!

For more information and registration, visit www.fabricate.org. See you there!

03/26/2024

A fronte di un inevitabile sbilanciamento sui temi dell’emergenza climatica, sembrano carenti nella cultura architettonica testi capaci di tenere insieme il livello del (necessario) approfondimento teorico e concettuale con esperienze di strategie e azioni sul campo

03/21/2024

On World Poetry Day 2024, let's celebrate the fusion of creativity and intellect with two exceptional reads:

📘 "My Name Is Universe" by Toni Pou - Available in English, Spanish, and Catalan. This captivating work delves into the intersection of science, art, and philosophy. From atoms to galaxies, it's a journey through music, literature, architecture, and more, igniting wonder and curiosity in every reader.

🔗 https://lnkd.in/eTtDtffH

📘 "The Empty Room" by Canadian architect Reza Aliabadi (RZLBD) - In this thought-provoking book, Aliabadi challenges conventional notions of architecture, urging us to reconsider space as the essence of design. Through aphorisms and reflections, he prompts a reevaluation of our perception of space and architecture's true purpose.

🔗 https://lnkd.in/en6r7S5c

Let's commemorate World Poetry Day by exploring the beauty of language intertwined with the intricacies of science and design. Discover these enriching reads and open your mind to new perspectives.