Toward Minor Architecture by Jill Stoner - A Paradigm Shift in the Architectural World

In her groundbreaking book, Toward Minor Architecture, Jill Stoner explores the concept of minor architecture and its potential to revolutionize the architectural world. Stoner argues that minor architecture, as opposed to major or dominant architecture, offers a fresh perspective that challenges the established norms and conventions of the field.

The Concept of Minor Architecture

According to Stoner, minor architecture is rooted in the philosophy of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, who proposed the idea of minor literature as a form of resistance against dominant forms of expression. Similarly, minor architecture challenges the dominant architectural discourse by incorporating the voices of marginalized communities and exploring alternative design strategies.

Stoner suggests that major architecture, characterized by iconic structures designed by renowned architects, often prioritizes aesthetics and grandeur over the needs and experiences of the people who inhabit those spaces. In contrast, minor architecture focuses on the everyday, the ordinary, and the overlooked. It seeks to create spaces that are functional, inclusive, and sensitive to the needs of different individuals and communities.

Toward A Minor Architecture

by Jill Stoner (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8890 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	170 pages
Hardcover	:	316 pages
Lexile measure	:	1430L
Item Weight	:	1.5 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.14 x 0.75 x 9.21 inches

FREE

Relevance of Minor Architecture

With the rapid urbanization and globalization of our cities, the need for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to architecture has become increasingly urgent. Minor architecture offers a powerful alternative that addresses these challenges. By prioritizing the experiences of individuals and communities, and by celebrating the uniqueness of different places and cultures, minor architecture can foster a sense of belonging and create environments that are conducive to human well-being.

Furthermore, minor architecture embraces the principles of adaptability and improvisation. Unlike major architecture, which often imposes fixed and rigid designs, minor architecture acknowledges the ever-changing nature of our societies and allows for flexibility and evolution. This approach enables the adaptation of spaces to suit the changing needs and aspirations of communities over time.

The Role of the Architect

Stoner argues that embracing the principles of minor architecture requires a shift in the role of the architect. Rather than being the sole authority and creator of spaces, the architect becomes a facilitator and collaborator. Architects need to listen attentively to the needs and desires of the people they serve and empower them to actively participate in the design process.

Moreover, architects must engage with local communities and organizations to understand their specific contexts and challenges. This close collaboration creates a sense of ownership and ensures that the resulting spaces truly reflect the voices and aspirations of the people who inhabit them.

Examples of Minor Architecture

Throughout the book, Stoner presents numerous case studies and examples of minor architecture from around the world. From community-driven design initiatives to adaptive reuse of existing structures, these projects showcase the transformative power of minor architecture.

One such example is the "Housing First" program in Finland, which provides permanent housing for homeless individuals and couples. The design of these housing units prioritizes functionality, simplicity, and privacy, while also fostering a sense of community and dignity for the residents. This project demonstrates how minor architecture can address pressing social issues and create spaces that promote social inclusion and well-being.

The Future of Minor Architecture

As our societies continue to evolve and face new challenges, the concepts and principles of minor architecture will become increasingly relevant. By embracing diversity, inclusivity, and adaptability, architects can contribute to the creation of spaces that empower and inspire individuals and communities.

Toward Minor Architecture by Jill Stoner serves as a thought-provoking manifesto that challenges architects to reevaluate their practices and embrace a more holistic and inclusive approach to design. Through her insightful analysis and inspiring examples, Stoner paves the way for a paradigm shift in the architectural world.

Toward A Minor Architecture

by Jill Stoner (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8890 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	170 pages
Hardcover	:	316 pages
Lexile measure	:	1430L
Item Weight	:	1.5 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.14 x 0.75 x 9.21 inches

FREE

A major proposal for a minor architecture, and for the making of spaces out of the already built.

Architecture can no longer limit itself to the art of making buildings; it must also invent the politics of taking them apart. This is Jill Stoner's premise for a minor architecture. Her architect's eye tracks differently from most, drawn not to the lauded and iconic but to what she calls “the landscape of our constructed mistakes”—metropolitan hinterlands rife with failed and foreclosed developments, undersubscribed office parks, chain hotels, and abandoned malls. These graveyards of capital, Stoner asserts, may be stripped of their excess and become sites of strategic spatial operations. But first we must dissect and dismantle prevalent architectural mythologies that brought them into being—western obsessions with interiority, with the autonomy of the building-object, with the architect's mantle of celebrity, and with the idea of nature as that which is “other” than the built metropolis. These four myths form the warp of the book.

Drawing on the literary theory of Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, Stoner suggests that minor architectures, like minor literatures, emerge from the bottoms of power structures and within the language of those structures. Yet they too are the result of powerful and instrumental forces. Provoked by collective desires, directed by the instability of time, and celebrating contingency, minor architectures may be mobilized within buildings that are oversaturated, underutilized, or perceived as obsolete.

Stoner's provocative challenge to current discourse veers away from design, through a diverse landscape of cultural theory, contemporary fiction, and environmental ethics. Hers is an optimistic and inclusive approach to a more politicized practice of architecture.