Preliminary design drawings from more than 50 contemporary Swiss architecture firms offer a fascinating overview of today's architectural practice from a specific perspective

Begin Again. Fail Better: Preliminary Drawings in Architecture engages with one of the principal activities of the architect in the process of design: drawing by hand. It explores the act of designing through a focus on beginnings. Architects try, fail, try again, fail better until they start to move in the direction that ultimately becomes a buildingor not.

This book brings together 199 preliminary architecture drawings. More than 50 contemporary Swiss architecture firms each contributed two pieces that reveal something of their individual approach and understanding of architecture. This selection is enhanced by historical works by Swiss and European architects that come from four significant British and Swiss archival collections, dating from the 20th and back to the 16th century. The illustrations are complemented by essays providing a critical and historical framework, as well as a conversation engaging with the conditions and importance of failure within the design process. Brief interludes by international architects, archivists and teachers, introducing a range of perspectives, round out this beautiful volume.

• A beautiful, lavishly illustrated exploration of the act of designing in architecture through a focus on beginnings
• Offers a fascinating survey of contemporary Swiss architectural practice through a very specific lens
• 199 full color illustrations combine contemporary drawings with exemplary historical pieces from important British and Swiss collections
• Critical and historical essays examine topics of creative practice
• Brief Interludes by international architects, archivists and teachers offer a wide range of perspectives

Autorentext

Helen Thomas lebt und arbeitet in London und in der Schweiz als Architektin, Kuratorin und Publizistin.

Dorothee Messmer ist Direktorin des Kunstmuseums Olten, wo auch Katja Herlach als Kuratorin und stellvertretende Direktorin tätig ist.

Manuel Montenegro lebt und arbeitet von London aus als Architekt, Vermittler, Autor und Kurator.