Banal buildings, sometimes located in plain sight, other times on urban fringes, in the countryside, or perceived as minor matters next to more prominent buildings, are fascinating because they do not immediately attract attention. They are treated with indifference by most, anonymously omnipresent, and maintainers of normality. Normality is neither spectacular, brutal, nor beautiful and can vary in scale from the big box to the small shed. These buildings are perceived as straight, ugly, and ordinary when the spatial and structural system’s sole purpose is to serve the program without intentional architectural specificities. As spaces of accumulation, they support both production and storage.

Editor: Stellan Gulde

Swiss bound book
Book sewing open spine
144 pages
Offset printing
24x15 cm

Printing: By Wind, Ödeshög, Sweden
Binding: Förlagshuset Nordens Grafiska, Malmö, Sweden
ISBN: 978-91-531-1459-8
October 2024

37 €

In the book, the architectural examination is complemented with texts by architects Philipp Esch, Jan de Vylder, Matilda Svensk, Josephine Harold and Mikael Parkman.

Banal buildings can be bought at Södertälje Konsthall, Konst-ig Konstbokhandel, Nord books, Bildmuseet, Pro qm, ISBN+ or by contacting us directly (see Contact). Worldwide distribution, additional costs for shipping apply.