Category Archives: ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW: Pocket Neighborhoods by Ross Chapin
TITTLE: Pocket Neighborhood: Creating Small-Scale Community in a Large-Scale World
AUTHOR: Ross Chapin
ISBN: 978-160085-107-0
NUMBER OF PAGES: 224
PUBLISHER: Taunton Press
YEAR PUBLISHED: 2011
SOURCE: NetGalley
DATE READ: finished 3/28/2011
RATE: 4 OUT OF 5
MY STORY WITH THE BOOK:
Pocket Neighborhood is the first architectural book I read since I obtained my graduate degree in architecture. For the last couple of years I had taken a break from it and worked primary on the development of fictional literature. Once in a while I write small pieces about architecture, but nothing significant.
Recently, I was looking into NetGalley for a book to review and I stumbled upon this one. I requested it and was able to get an uncorrected copy. I had the book since February, but it was not until last week that I started reading it. The release date was moved from March 29 to March 15th which makes more marketing sense.
It is the first time I read a book using Abode Digital Editions. At the beginning I had a little trouble setting the reading layout, but overall the experience was good. I was planning on writing an academic review, but I realized I left that style behind long ago. I find contemporary reviews more effective and significant.
MY KIND OF SUMMARY:
The book starts with a charismatic forward by Sarah Susanka in which she expresses her hopes for a new revival of small community neighborhoods; or should I say, a more generalized use. She opens the doors to the discussion between neighborhoods designed with the automobile in mind versus those organized with the individuals in mind. She believes this book will be a game changer within the industry.
The book itself is divided into four parts with various chapters; in addition to the forward and the afterword. The first part contains a series of precedents to the pocket neighborhood prototype. The examples are from different parts of the world and presents mostly the advantages of adopting this method. It also defines the pocket neighborhood as a “cohesive cluster of homes gathered around some kind of common ground within a larger surrounding neighborhood”.
On the second part, Chapin introduces some of his works as examples for contemporary pocket neighborhoods. He shows pictures and detailed the development process and the different steps taken into consideration for the creation of the environments and its usages. As well as, the characteristics for future developments.
A group of cohousing communities was introduced on the third part of the book without significant correlation to the communities previously presented. They felt more as additional information could be distributed within the previous two parts. The author did keep the same structure, tone and coherency during all the explanations.
Lastly, the fourth part of the book presents the efforts to include the pocket neighborhood system within existing neighborhoods designed for single families taking privacy as it center. Ones again, steps to introduce the pocket neighborhood were present and the arguments were convincing. This last part serves as an introduction to the afterword.
In general, the book is excellent for those trying to learn more about the history and contemporary development of the pocket neighborhood. Some areas remind me of ‘A Pattern Language’ by Christopher Alexander (1977). I am almost sure many professors will introduce this book to their syllabus next fall. It is perfect to stimulate a great conceptual conversation within a group of architectural pioneers.
It also presents a group of persons already working with the development of pocket neighborhoods and its elements. As mentioned in the book, the necessity of educating contractors, architects, planners, developers, etc. with the advantages of this system is intrinsic to its success.
The book has a great variety of visual elements to present the ideas and elements of the pocket neighborhood. It is full of examples and possible schemes to be implemented. Somehow similar to the Principles of New Urbanism. It is well written and easy to follow for those without an architectural background. Therefore, it will be a great tool to be added into the current sustainable and ecological discussion.
Where Everything Started: MyArchN
About three years ago, I had my first contact with writing for an audience and blogging. It was in a great community page about architecture. I was able to join and create my own page. Then, I started receiving friendship requests and many welcome messages. I was able to establish a good dynamic with others that helped me develop the topics I was working with back then. We were less than 500 members with close contact.
That great community is MyArchN a group about Architecture created by Rafael Marxuach. Anyone with a passion for architecture can join and share their thoughts and questions. I can assure you I received comments to my posts there more often that I do here. Its members are committed to the development of ideas to better the design industry. You can find videos, pictures, forums blogs and much more.
I personally created various forum discussions and a group about Accessible Places. I do need to accept than since I started getting involved with Facebook and ThirtyCreativeStudio I have stopped collaborating actively on MyArchN. I do visit the page to keep in touch with the current trends in the business and I am trying to write a little bit more about architecture.
Currently, MyArchN counts with over 4,000 members from around the world. It continues to be an active community filled with great designers and creative minds. I challenge you to visit their page and take a couple of minutes to browse the community. You will be surprised with the quality of its content. You do not need to be an architect to enjoy MyArchN. It is a great experience on it’s own.
