Widely admired for his creativity and experimentation, driven by a lifelong fascination with the impact of public performance, David Rockwell is one of the leading architects and designers working today. What If…? (Metropolis Books, Hardcover, £30, ¬45), Rockwell’s second monograph, will be published by Metropolis Books in November 2014 to coincide with his design studio’s 30th anniversary.
Rockwell’s endless curiosity, rooted in his sense of play and possibility, has continuously driven him to ask, “What if?” What if your environment transformed with every step? What if an architect could be as experimental as a chef? What if the set became a character? The 375-page, luxuriously-produced glossy white hardbound book explores Rockwell’s desire to imagine new worlds, to tell stories and to engage with others.
What If…? presents a diverse array of Rockwell’s explorations of the rich intersection between architecture and theater, organized by concepts that underpin his work: Mash-up, Materials, Storytelling, Stagecraft, Choreography, Transformation and Collaboration. Through immersive imagery and behind- the-scenes details of some 35 projects, the monograph illuminates his innovative approach to design by introducing readers to 35 projects, from initial driving idea through physical realization.