Research Publications

Please also see publications related to popular music architecture research.

2015

'Flexible Architecture: Continuous and Developing' in Kolarevic, Branko and Parlac, Vera, eds. Building Dynamics: Exploring Architecture of Change. Routledge, Oxford, UK and New York, USA, pp.29-42. ISBN 9781138791022.

'Introduction: The development of fabric structures in architecture' in Llorens, Josep, ed, Fabric Structures in Architecture. Woodhead Publishing, Elsevier, Cambridge, UK, pp. 1-21.

This book chapter charts the history of tensile membrane structures from Roman times to the present day, exploring their design inspiration, uses, and technological development.

2014

Robert Kronenburg (sole author). Architecture in Motion: The Genesis, History and Development of the Portable Building, Routledge, Oxford, c.200pp

Architecture in Motion examines the development of portable, transportable, demountable and temporary architecture from prehistory to the present day. From familiar vernacular models such as the tent, mobile home and houseboat, to developments in military and construction engineering – all aspects of portable architecture are considered. The book contains comparisons between current, commercially available products and the work of innovative designers and explores the philosophical and technological issues raised by contemporary, experimental and futuristic prototypes. Key examples of contemporary portable buildings are examined to reveal the exciting, and the innovative. This book provides a unique insight into this pivotal field of design.

2008

Robert Kronenburg (sole author). Portable Architecture: Design and Technology, Birkhauser, Germany, 160pp. ISBN 978-3-7643-8324-4. Also published simultaneously in a German language edition.

This book discusses the forerunners, contemporary context and advanced technology of portable architecture. Its documents numerous international examples – organised by areas of application from museums, to entertainment to dwellings. The book examines the concepts that lead to the design of successful mobile buildings in a wide range of settings from an urban square to the Antarctic.

2007

Robert Kronenburg (sole author). Flexible: Architecture that Responds to Change, Laurence King, London, 237pp. ISBN 978-1-85669-461-2. Also published simultaneously in a French language (Editions Norma) and Spanish language (Blume) edition.

This book explores the genre of flexible architecture - buildings that are intended to respond to changing situations in their use, operation, or location. This is architecture that adapts rather than stagnates; responds to change rather than rejects it; is motive rather than static. It is a design form that is by its essence cross-disciplinary and multi-functional and consequently, is frequently innovative and expressive of contemporary design issues. By revealing its history and the factors that have forged its development, the value and relevancy of flexible architecture to contemporary problems associated with technological, social and economic change are revealed.

2006

Robert Kronenburg (editor) with Filiz Klassen (co-editor). Transportable Environments III, Spon Press (Taylor and Francis), London and New York, 228pp, ISBN 0-415-34377-1 (out of print).

This book contains essays from the third international multi-disciplinary conference on Portable Architecture held at Ryerson University, Toronto, 2004. The essays provide an insight into the history and context of mobile buildings, the wide range of functions they fulfill today, the varied forms they take, and the concerns and ideas for future development in the field. The range of subjects is diverse - from examinations of closely defined topics of specialist interest to the exploration of generic, pragmatic issues relevant to the entire field of architecture and construction.

2003

Robert Kronenburg (editor), Joseph Lim, Y.C. Wong (editors). Transportable Environments II, Routledge, London and New York. 145pp (includes an essay by the author). ISBN 0-415-27450-8 (out of print).

This book explorers the genre of the transportable environment - architecture, landscape and interiors. It brings together the research, knowledge and experience of international experts in the field with first hand information on theoretical, historical, technological and design issues. It is based on the 2nd international conference that took place in Singapore in May 2001 and is co-edited by Joseph Lim and Yumm Chi Wong of the National University of Singapore.

2003

Robert Kronenburg (sole author). Portable Architecture. (3rd expanded edition, 2nd edition 2000, 192pp, 1st edition 1996, 140pp), Architectural Press, Oxford. 274pp. ISBN 0-7506-5653-0 (out of print).

Portable buildings have been in use since humankind first began to build, yet because of its impermanent nature it is only recently that architects have begun to perceive it as architecture. Its presence in the building industry is seen as peripheral - as a piece of machinery or a tool, yet in many cases the mobile element of the building solution has not only been the driving force in the creation of the form and image, but also the main reason for the design's functional success. This book examines the development of Portable Architecture by the examination of contemporary built examples and explores the constructional and functional diversity of the type.

2002

Robert Kronenburg (sole author). Houses in Motion: The Genesis, History and Development of the Portable Building. (2nd expanded edition, 1st edition 1995, 144pp), John Wiley, London. c.168pp. ISBN 0-470-84331-4 (out of print).

Moving buildings are among the earliest artifacts created by man - the Bedouin tent is still in existence today. This definitive study explores the design of portable, transportable, demountable and temporary buildings. Using numerous examples, the author looks at the development of these buildings from pre-history to the present day. The book investigates the current design criteria for effective, economic portable buildings and examines the ecological advantages of this recyclable genre. He compares the current commercially available products with the work of innovative designers such as Nicholas Grimshaw, Richard Hordern, Jan Kaplicky and Renzo Piano and examines the philosophical and technological issues engendered and other more experimental and futuristic prototypes.

2001

Robert Kronenburg (sole author). Spirit of the Machine: Technology as an Inspiration Architectural Design, John Wiley, London. c.128pp. ISBN 0471978604 (contact the author for availability).

Spirit of the Machine explores the relationship between two areas of human-made activity that impact on contemporary life most profoundly: the application of science and the design of our environment. It investigates the importance of technological advance in architectural design and the spirit and philosophies that have inspired its aesthetic and symbolic development. Though the book examines the possibilities for new design approaches that exploit innovative and alternative technologies which may widen designers’ horizons and increase their ability to create appropriate settings for contemporary life, it is not a study of technology itself - rather an exploration of its effect on a fundamental aspect of human existence, how we inhabit the world. The author’s objective is to evaluate the way in which technological advances in the field of building can be synthesised into an architecture that is useful, meaningful and beautiful - characteristics that will enable it to establish the sense of place necessary to maintain the continuity of human identity.

1998

Robert Kronenburg (editor). Transportable Environments: Theory, Context, Design and Technology, Routledge, London & New York. 215pp. ISBN 0-419-24250-3 (out of print).

Transportable Environments contains essays from the first international multi-disciplinary conference on Portable Architecture held at the Royal Institute of British Architects, London, in May 1997. In this book, architects, designers, engineers, artists, manufacturers, educators, and sociologists from all over the world explore wide-ranging topics related to the generation and manifestation of temporary and transportable buildings and places.

1998

Robert Kronenburg (editor). ‘Ephemeral Architecture’ themed edition of Architectural Design, Vol 68, No 9/10, Architectural Design Profile 135, September-October 1998. 96pp. ISBN 0-471-98422-1 (out of print). Themed edition on temporary, mobile and demountable architecture.
Essays by Vladimir Krstic, Henrietta Palmer, Mark Prizeman, Nicholas Goldsmith, Torsten Scmiedeknecht. Work by Haus-Rucker-Co, GŸnter Zamp Kelp, Toyo Ito, Apicella Associates, Mark Fisher, FTL Happold, Branson Coates Architecture, Wendy Gunn and Gavin Renwick.

1997

Robert Kronenburg (editor). Architectural Monographs 48.
 FTL ARCHITECTS: Softness, Movement and Light. Academy Editions, London, June 1997, 128 pages, ISBN 0-471-97693-8 (contact the architects for availability).

FTL are acknowledged as pioneers in technological innovation. Their evolution from design fringe to the mainstream is a story of persistence, dedication, vision and a strong belief in themselves. Their commissions include roofs for sports stadia, entertainment complexes and circus pavilions, recreational facilities, and special on-site facilities for the military, in addition to more traditional (although highly unconventional) office and showroom design work for clients such as the DKNY clothing chain. This monograph examines their modus operandi, their constant search for new materials that will enable them to design even more advanced structures, and looks at a number of their recent projects.