a+t 60: Frugality Series. Abstraction and Responsibility

Frugality means less material, energy, and expense, but also greater respect for the environment, constructive sincerity, and social honesty. Rather than being imposed by social or cultural movements, or even by political shifts, frugality is the pure awareness of the moment of restriction and deprivation that conditions the manner in which action is taken. It is the dismantling of the iconic and symbolic character of architecture, imbuing it with standardised technology, programmatic flexibility, and basic rationality. The first issue of this new series is titled after the essential features of this frugal architecture, the sole aim of which is to become a structure-shelter of life.