PRESENTATION

Boundaries is a quarterly international magazine on contemporary architecture, with texts in English and Italian. The first issue, July - September 2011, is centred on the Contemporary Architecture in Africa, the second, October - December 2011, on the Architectures for Emergencies, the third, January - March 2012, on the Architectures of Peace and the fourth, April - June, on The Other City.

The aim of the project in Boundaries is to offer a panoramic and critical view of the architectures that today face, in many different ways, the challenges of modernity, and of sustainability intended as a balance between problems of cultural, environmental, economic and social nature.

RE-CYCLE ARCHITECTURES

The fifth issue of Boundaries International Architectural Magazine will focus on : « Re-Cycle Architectures ».

Architectural reuse, rehabilitation, reconversion exist from long time ago but they are at the centre of heritage and architectural study issues only since recently. Nowadays, recycle and sustainability are ever more at the centre of architectural and urban planning researches and practices. The disproportionate loss of land has severely undermined our environment, it becomes necessary to reflect on how design could lead to the improvement of the existing architectures, rather than building new ones.

Recycle has to be intended here not as a new vague for aesthetic or marketing trends, but as re-use, “life cycle extension” for materials and objects. This new cycle affect the materiality of the existing, its functions and its significations, thus creating an hybrid entity adapted to contemporary needs. How does the role of cultural tourism, globalization, politics and economic issues influence the treatment of a building such as recycling? After the rejection of postmodernism and the increase of new contemporary forms of architecture, how does an architectural gesture could enhance the existing fabric without a mimetic approach? From sustainable construction techniques and building strategies, to sustainable recycling of demolition waste, to sustainable preservation and restoration, Boundaries wishes to offer in the fifth issue an insight in all the best practices and researches.

MODALITIES

All kinds of approaches to this topic are welcomed, but must be focused on the 21st Century. Papers can be case studies oriented, or methodological and/or theoretical in focus.

Contributors are invited to submit a title, an abstract (from 400 to 500 words, and three images), and a short biography stating their affiliation and professional interests (maximum 100 words).

All submission of abstracts should be sent by email to redazione@boundaries.it (up to 15 Mb)

before July 18th, 2012.

The papers will be selected by the editorial board and subjected to evaluation with the blind peer review system. The authors will receive an answer before July 24, 2012.

Official language for paper presentation is English. The style, grammar and phrasing should be edited by a person with an excellent command of English and a good understanding of architectural terminology. Articles length should be between 400 and 700 words, notes and bibliography included. Contributions must be original and should not have been previously published, even in part. All articles must be illustrated (at least ten images, drawings, sketches, renders or other).

Articles should be sent to the editorial board, in their definitive form and with illustrations (free from reproduction rights), before August 12, 2012.

For further information and guidelines, see : http://www.boundaries.it

Editorial Board

• Alexandra Georgescu Paquin (Canada) 
• Clarisse Lauras (Francia)
• Rossana Nicolò (Italia)
• Hind Oualid El Alaoui (Marocco)
• Julie Roland (Francia)
• Luca Sampò (Italia)