Issue 13: Super Trivial Mega Small Extra Common Ultra Boring

The built environment accounts for 40% of carbon emissions and the most sustainable building is, arguably, an existing building. Many architects emphasize adaptation and acts of care rather than new construction, working with patina, ephemera and action. Whimsical form making seems ostentatious, if not irresponsible, as we face climactic and humanitarian crises. Amidst our media saturated lives and the crushing complexities of globalization we seek comfort in the emotive, haptic, warmth of the local, and poetics of the everyday. 

The 13th issue of Room One Thousand considers the beauty of intimate projects that succeed in beating the odds and touch our hearts - the bricolage, hacks and appropriation often lost or overlooked that become protagonists for change. This year we celebrate the small acts of care, love and empathy that might have significant environmental or social impact when felt at scale.

Quiet

Mundane

Ordinary

Simple

Economical

Boring

Absurd

Small

Trivial

Lazy

Common

Submission Guidelines

Text articles or photographic essays can be up to 2500 words in length. Contributions may take a range of formats, including research papers, creative writing, built work, speculative projects, film, performance and digital media. We also encourage contributors to demonstrate techniques and methodologies in meticulous detail. We seek provocative approaches and value accessibility, expertise, and rigor.

To submit a proposal, email the following to:

roomonethousand@berkeley.edu

• Title

• Author name and bio, 50 words max.

• Abstract describing method and argument, format (text or photo essay), and length of your proposed contribution, 300 words max.

• Text based contributors should submit a writing sample of academic or professional quality that is accessible to an audience beyond architectural academia. Maximum 2 pages. Samples may be partial.

• Image, practice and creative contributors should submit a portfolio of relevant work. Maximum 20 pages.

• Design or website urls, optional.

If you have any questions, reach out to us at roomonethousand@berkeley.edu