The autumn issue of Maja magazine explores the role of the author in architecture. The aim of this issue is to distance oneself from the pressures of the signature and the brand, from the object focused representation of architecture. Instead, we seek for quality in spaces, which in some aspect or another remain unauthored. This quality may implicitly lie in collective authorship, in search for alternative ways of practicing, in urban anonymity, in collaboration integral to planning public spaces, in the influence of what’s already in existence, in a layman’s shed, in forgotten spaces, in technical machines or in a place and moment that is recognisable solely to a certain group of people or to a single explorer. It is easy to subject architecture to the logic of trade and branding, where a unique masterpiece and its author become increasingly used as devices to shape the built environment. On this background, perhaps the most challenging task for architects today is to work with ordinary spaces where design does not dominate over the space itself, where existing conditions inform proposals, where communities take responsibility over the use, the creation and the maintenance of space. These are qualities and opportunities that allow architecture to take shape along the way. The results may well be unexpected to clients, users as well as authors.

Texts by: Mariann Drell, Roland Reemaa, Diana Drobot with photos by Päär Keedus, Merle Karro-Karlberg, Kristel Niisuke and Margus Tamm with photos by Johan Huimerind, Maarin Mürk, Laura Linsi, Kaia Tungal, Hans van der Heijden, Rebeka Põldsam

Online: Estonian Architecture Review Maja no. 98
Press: New Generations