MAP Introduction

The Michigan Architecture Papers is a series of publications which has been initiated by the Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning at the University of Michigan. These publications seek to build on the traditions of the College and to prompt a broader discussion of architecture by making the views of outstanding architects and critics more widely accessible.

The books have focused on important annual lectures which celebrate two renowned alumni-Raoul Wallenberg and John Dinkeloo-and the annual Charles & Ray Eames Lecture together with an occasional series which records significant events at the College. The books are modest. They are between 48-120 pages in length, illustrated with drawings and photographs, and printed in black and white or color. Each has been prepared by faculty and students who have worked together with guest lecturers and visiting critics from practice to transcribe, edit and design the publications. Each book is both a conceptual undertaking and a real project with client, timetable, specifications, budget and contractor.

The books are designed to provide relevant, elegant and inexpensive publications on architecture for students which are also of interest to the profession and those with a curiosity about the discipline. In addition to being given to graduating students at the College, they are sold at cost in architecture book shops worldwide. The books have been cited in Wallpaper* (#32) October 2000, The Architectural Review (August 1998 and June 1999) and reviewed in Architectural Record (December 1999), Azure (Nov/Dec 1999), The Architects' Journal (6 March 1997 and 15 October 1998) and the German magazine Detail (May 1997).

Five books in the series received a 1998 American Institute of Architects International Book Award. The jury, which was chaired by AIAGold Medalist Richard Meier, included Adele Chatfield-Taylor (American Academy, Rome); Harrison Fraker (Dean, College of Environmental Design, Berkeley); Robert Ivy (Architectural Record); and Bill Lacy (Purchase College).