Gritty Brits: New London Architecture

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Gritty Brits presents the work of six emerging architectural practices--all based in London, and all building within the complex setting of the British capital. Featuring the work of Adjaye/Associates, Caruso St John Architects, FAT [Fashion Architecture Taste], N�all McLaughlin Architects, muf and Sergison Bates architects, this succinct and vibrant study investigates five projects from each practice in photographs, drawings and plans. Through thorough documentation, we see how each project has been developed to strategically address the realities--and opportunities--of the contemporary city, often divining possibilities for construction and habitation on peripheral, residual, overlooked or simply unfashionable sites. This is not tourist London. This is London as experienced by its residents in their daily lives, a London that is evolving and clashing, ugly as well as beautiful. Beginning with a series of maps and photographs that contextualize all of the featured projects, Gritty Brits includes essays by Raymund Ryan and Ian Sinclair that capture the look and feel of contemporary London at a time of tremendous economic and social change. In addition to providing a fascinating view of contemporary London architecture, this volume serves as an unconventional guide to one of the world's greatest cities, off the beaten path.