First World-Architects Monograph Published

The expression "what goes around comes around" comes to mind when considering that PSA Publishers – the publisher of World-Architects – started by publishing books with profiles of selected architects (the PSA of PSA Publishers), then moved to a strictly online platform, and now sees the publication of its first monograph, on Aarau, Switzerland's Schneider & Schneider. Schneider & Schneider – Reaction, Creation is a bilingual (German/English) monograph edited by Michael Hanak with photographs by Leonardo Finotti. It is available in print form as well as an ebook.

The World-Architects Monographs series, which offer insights into the current production of select contemporary architects. Every volume traces the ideas and intentions of an architectural firm and presents its most fascinating projects. Photographs, plans, and project descriptions explain the buildings, and through an overall, analytical view, the architects’ works are embedded within architectural discourse.

Hanak's introductory essay explains the first monograph's title, since he sees the work of brothers Thomas and Beat Schneider as a "reaction to the existing, [and a] creation of something new." Further, Hanak writes: "Starting from the local architectural context, they develop a project suitable for the site and make a contemporary contribution with every construction. The matter at hand is not simply coming to terms well or poorly with what is found. Instead, it is about treating the past with respect, with consideration, adopting existing qualities and adding new ones."