
Introducing Architectural Tectonics
Exploring the Intersection of Design and Construction
Chad Schwartz(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
2nd Edition
Published on 18. September 2025
Book
Hardback
366 pages
978-1-032-78458-8 (ISBN)
Description
The second edition of Introducing Architectural Tectonics is an exploration of the poetics of construction. Tectonic theory is an integrative philosophy examining the relationships formed between design, construction, and space while creating or experiencing a work of architecture. In this text, author Chad Schwartz presents an introductory investigation into tectonic theory, subdividing it into distinct concepts in order to make it accessible to beginning and advanced students alike.
The book centers on the tectonic analysis of twenty contemporary works of architecture, located in over a dozen countries across the globe - Germany, Italy, Burkina Faso, the United States, Chile, Japan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Spain, Australia, and more - and designed by notable architects such as Tadao Ando, Herzog & de Meuron, Kengo Kuma, Peter Zumthor, Xu Tiantian, and Francis Kere. Although similarities do exist between the projects, their distinctly different characteristics and range of interpretations of tectonic expression provide the most significant lessons to help you learn about tectonic theory.
This second edition has been updated to include the tectonic analysis of four new architectural precedents:
From Nigeria, the Makoko Floating School by NLE.
From Burkina Faso, Lycee Schorge by Kere Architecture.
From Mexico, the Matamoros Public Market by Colectivo C733.
From China, Quarry #8 by DnA_Design and Architecture.
Written in clear, accessible language, these investigations examine the poetic potential of architecture, presenting lessons and concepts that you can integrate into your own work, whether studying in a university classroom or practicing in a professional office.
The book centers on the tectonic analysis of twenty contemporary works of architecture, located in over a dozen countries across the globe - Germany, Italy, Burkina Faso, the United States, Chile, Japan, Bangladesh, Mexico, Spain, Australia, and more - and designed by notable architects such as Tadao Ando, Herzog & de Meuron, Kengo Kuma, Peter Zumthor, Xu Tiantian, and Francis Kere. Although similarities do exist between the projects, their distinctly different characteristics and range of interpretations of tectonic expression provide the most significant lessons to help you learn about tectonic theory.
This second edition has been updated to include the tectonic analysis of four new architectural precedents:
From Nigeria, the Makoko Floating School by NLE.
From Burkina Faso, Lycee Schorge by Kere Architecture.
From Mexico, the Matamoros Public Market by Colectivo C733.
From China, Quarry #8 by DnA_Design and Architecture.
Written in clear, accessible language, these investigations examine the poetic potential of architecture, presenting lessons and concepts that you can integrate into your own work, whether studying in a university classroom or practicing in a professional office.
More details
Edition
2nd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate, Undergraduate Advanced, and Undergraduate Core
Illustrations
323 farbige Abbildungen, 323 Farbfotos bzw. farbige Rasterbilder
323 Halftones, color; 323 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 280 mm
Width: 210 mm
Weight
870 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-78458-8 (9781032784588)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Chad Schwartz
Introducing Architectural Tectonics
Exploring the Intersection of Design and Construction
Book
08/2025
2nd Edition
Routledge
€76.00
Shipment within 10-20 days

Chad Schwartz
Introducing Architectural Tectonics
Exploring the Intersection of Design and Construction
E-Book
08/2025
2nd Edition
Routledge
€80.49
Available for download

Chad Schwartz
Introducing Architectural Tectonics
Exploring the Intersection of Design and Construction
E-Book
08/2025
2nd Edition
Routledge
€80.49
Available for download
Previous edition

Chad Schwartz
Introducing Architectural Tectonics
Exploring the Intersection of Design and Construction
Book
11/2016
1st Edition
Routledge
€282.26
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Chad Schwartz is an architect and educator currently serving as a Professor in the School of Architecture at Kansas State University in the US. He teaches both design and building technology, continually seeking to merge these two bodies of knowledge. His current research explores the role of architectural tectonics in the development of both contemporary and historic architecture.
Content
Investigating the Tectonic | Unpacking the Guiding Principles 1. Makoko Floating School | NLE | Lagos, Nigeria, Co-Authored with Victor Boyda 2. Loblolly House | KieranTimberlake | Taylor Island, Maryland, United States 3. Swiss Sound Box | Peter Zumthor | Hannover, Germany 4. Thorncrown Chapel | E. Fay Jones | Eureka Springs, Arkansas, United States 5. Peninsula House | Sean Godsell Architects | Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia 6. Prayer Pavilion of Light | DeBartolo Architects | Phoenix, Arizona, United States 7. GC Prostho Museum Research Center | Kengo Kuma & Associates | Kasugai, Aichi, Japan, Co-Authored with Aaron Neal 8. Parrish Art Museum | Herzog & de Meuron | Water Mill, New York, United States 9. Matamoros Public Market | Colectivo C733 | Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico 10. Chapel of Reconciliation | reitermann/sassenroth architekton | Berlin, Germany 11. Porciuncula La Milagrosa Chapel | Taller de Arquitectura de Bogota | La Calera, Cundinamarca, Colombia 12. Lycee Schorge | Kere Architecture | Koudougou, Burkina Faso 13. METI Handmade School | Anna Heringer + Eike Roswag | Rudrapur, Bangladesh 14. Chapel del Retiro | Undurraga Deves Arquitectos | Auco, Chile 15. Lanxi Curtilage Building | Archi-Union Architects | Chengdu, China 16. Punta della Dogana | Tadao Ando Architect & Associates | Venice, Italy 17. National Museum of Roman Art | Rafael Moneo | Merida, Spain 18. Bruder Klaus Field Chapel | Peter Zumthor | Wachendorf, Eifel, Germany 19. Casa Tolo | Alvaro Leite Siza | Alvite, Vila Real District, Portugal 20. Quarry #8 | DnA_Design and Architecture | Xiandu, Jinyun County, Zhejiang Province, China