Episodes in Public Architecture

"In Episodes in Public Architecture, Andrew Frontini offers more than a monograph; he creates a reflective, richly annotated journey through a design career shaped by humility, theatre, and the pursuit of public meaning. " — Canadian Interiors

Architect Andrew Frontini converts the architectural monograph into a story-telling vehicle to candidly reveal the inner workings of the architect’s creative process as it intersects with the constantly evolving needs of our society. Eleven narrative insertions are bound into the body of the monograph providing a parallel reading experience -one that gets in behind the polished architectural photography and curated drawings to reveal the poignant, often absurd and occasionally painful lessons that accompanied the gestation of each project. Every building has a story to tell and, in sum, these stories map the road an architect’s career can take. Populated with cunning contractors, inspiring design legends (such as the late Cornelia Oberlander), intractable bureaucrats, obstinate senior partners, mentors, students, rivals and collaborators of every stripe, Frontini’s road navigates technological revolutions, precipitous economies and societal threats that challenge the very notion of what architecture needs to be. With candor, humour and a design philosophy that is fundamentally open to suggestion, Frontini converts his personal experience into a set of universal reflections that are sure to inform, inspire and console architects (and the architecturally curious) at any stage in their journey.

Andrew Frontini is an award-winning architect who, over thirty years, has built a highly collaborative studio culture and a singular vision of public architecture imbued with poetry, humour and theatre. Andrew serves as the design director of Perkins&Will’s Toronto and Ottawa studios. Andrew has taught at the University of Waterloo and serves as a visiting critic at the University of Waterloo, University of Toronto and the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Architecture. He shares his passion for design through exhibitions, published articles and speaking engagements. Introduction by Ian Chodikoff. Editor, Ned Cramer.