Architectures of Circulation

Architecture and urban design are integral to global supply-chain capitalism, which relies on physical infrastructure to produce and circulate goods. Architecture depends on immense resource consumption and far-reaching material flows. Critically, these are often externalized and dissociated from the social and environmental injustices embedded in the spatial politics of supply chains. Architectures of Circulation provides concepts and methodologies for tracing, mapping, and analyzing spaces of material flows. It explores how material literacy can be unlearned and relearned through research and education. Illustrated case studies trace the routes of goods such as bacon, cement, copper, flowers, plastic Christmas trees, and uranium across multiple locations and scales.

• Brings supply-chain thinking into architectural and urban design education

   

   

• Illustrates methods for mapping translocal commodity chains through striking infographics

• Features case studies tracing materials, goods, and energy across territories and scales