Archiobjects

CONCEPT PROJECT – BOOK DESIGN/IDENTITY
2015

*Done as a student project at ArtCenter College of Design during the course of 14 weeks.

A 256-page book that celebrates the short-lived Radical Architecture and Anti-Design movements originated in Italy between the late 1960s–1980s. The book looks into the works, narratives, and responses of prominent radical Italian architects and “anti” designers, such as Superstudio, Archizoom, Studio Alchimia, Memphis and Ettore Sottsass.

The design approach of this book reflects the movements idealistic-utopian beliefs channeled through photomontages and colorful objects that point out problems in Modernism architecture and design—specifically the Bauhaus. Also inspired by the expressive, freewheeling lifestyle of the hippie 1960s that influences the movements.

The book illustrates a resurgence of these movements back to the contemporary era, and how they triggered the emergence of Postmodernism that impacted the contemporary design culture and thinking today.

Spring 2015
Instructor: Brad Bartlett

An interactive spatial concept exhibit that is an extension of the book was also proposed. It is divided into 3 interactive curated segments where people step onto each titled field on the floor and a video will play on the ceiling and the wall:

“Archiobjects” which summarizes the movement’s Anti-Bauhaus, anti-capital statements,
“Archidealistic” showcases the prominent idealistic architecture works of the Radicals Designers,
Retrovibrance focuses on selected objects.

They are known for its ambitious utopian beliefs in which they are against the rationalist rules of Modernism and its Anti-Bauhaus attitude, so looking up is the ideal way to see their narratives.

(Thanks to Brad Bartlett and Miles Mazzie for the direction, and Phil Enzler, and Ivan Cruz for helping with the interactive coding!)