To be an architect is to embrace a constant to-and-fro between the temptations of the superfluous and the habits of the necessary, in the knowledge that the superfluous can sometimes become necessary and the necessary unexpectedly superfluous. This dynamic applies just as well to designing an architecture book. Sixteen years on from establishing Barreca & La Varra in Milan – and nearly three decades into their collaboration – in the firm's second monograph, architects Gianandrea Barreca and Giovanni La Varra acknowledge disorder in the “order” they chose for this book. The Superfluous and the Necessary. Architectures by Barreca & La Varra adopts an unconventional chapter structure - inspired by a text by Jorge Luis Borges - that is accessible to casual browsing and also encourages deep dive reflection. Whether the reader has three minutes or three hours, they can start at the end with the summary, dive into project drawings and photographs, revisit the introductory essay or browse through the manifestos at the beginning of each chapter. This non-linear approach is like wandering through an unfamiliar city to make myriad discoveries – which is just what the architects envision for their buildings as they become part of the cityscape.

Title The Superfluous and the Necessary
Publisher Gruppo Maggioli S.p.A.
Designed THE PLAN Art & Architecture Editions
Number of pages 192
Format 17x24 cm
Binding Flexible cover
ISBN 8891656554
Language Italian/English
Release October 2024
Price Euro 29,00