We love Colophon - International Magazine Symposium Luxembourg

Volume

Volume

Volume

17 cover(s) available
view all

Stichting Archis

To beyond or not to be

Volume magazine is an architectural project by Archis (Amsterdam), AMO/OMA (Rem Koolhaas' offices in Rotterdam) and C-Lab (Columbia University, NY). It is rather an agenda than just a report; it detects and is preemptive.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Po Box 14702, 1001 LE

Email: info@archis.org

Category: Architecture
Periodicity: Quarterly
Language: English
Price: 19.50 €
Web: http://www.volumeproject.org

Exclusive Interview

Volume

What is your magazine about?
Real-time spatial and cultural reflexivity, some people call this architecture. We have set ourselves the task 'to go beyond architecture' (to beyond or not to be), to investigate what the spatial opportunities and urgencies are in societies around the globe and where and how architecture can make a difference.

Who’s behind the project? Tell us about the founders, their backgrounds and their motivations!
Volume is a project by Archis + AMO + C-Lab + .... As collaboration of a magazine (Archis), an office (OMA/AMO) and a school (C-Lab/Columbia University New York) it wants to research new ways for architecture and to go beyond your own medium. Traditionally architecture adds buildings to society, where we are interested in how architecture can be applied to social, economic and cultural challenges. Each of the three organizations have other activities and projects, they have their own network and peer groups that all contribute to the project of Volume as a whole. This collaboration was initiated by Ole Bouman, Rem Koolhaas and Mark Wigley, our founding fathers.

How do you produce one issue? How much time do you spend on it? How big is your team?
As quarterly the production of an issue takes 4 to 6 months. Each issue has one of the collaborators as initiator plus often a 'fourth party'. So the crew varies per issue. Constant is one editor in chief (Arjen Oosterman), two editors (Lilet Breddels and Christian Ernsten), a webeditor (Edwin Gardner), an office manager (Valerie Blom/Muike Leeuwenberg), to oversee, manage and facilitate the project, plus the designers (Irma Boom with Sonja Haller). The teams in New York (director Jeffrey Inaba), and in Rotterdam (AMO, director Reinier de Graaf) vary in size. In New York students take part in the 'C-lab certified' issues, in Rotterdam and in Amsterdam interns strengthen the work force.

What have been the important steps in the life of your magazine?
Launch in 2005 and presentation on Colophon 2009.

Which are the key ingredients for the success of your magazine?
Its proactive approach in combination with a global view, that not only crosses borders but also domains (interdisciplinary). Volume sets an agenda for architectural practice.

What are the difficulties you are confronted with? What would be “the” thing to help the magazine to improve?
For any magazine distribution is both key and problematic. Newsstand distribution and distribution in chains can be about fighting monopolies, in other countries logistics, in a third financial barricades, and even censorship has to be dealt with.

Where do you want the magazine to be in five years?
At more newsstands worldwide.

Tell us about your audience! Who are the readers of your magazine?
Architects, designers, artists, decision makers, developers, policy makers with a keen interest in new tools, new approaches and new insights in spatial developments and how to influence these. In sum: curious people with a creative and open mind.

Is remaining independent important to you? Is it part of the strategy?
Yes it is.

What’s your relationship with advertisement? Does it influence your content? Do you care about advertising-driven-editorials?
We look for advertisers and sponsors who want to relate to the topics and themes we're engaged in; a shared interest.

What do you think of your issue 01, when you look back at it?
Ambitious kick start, full of promise and maybe not as much 'proof' as we would demand now of an issue.

Magazine favorite(s) that inspired you in your career.
Wired, Bidoun, Third Text, Permanent Food, Wall paper (at first), Nest, Arch Plus, Parkett.

Do you keep old copies of magazines? If so, what is your favorite in your collection?
Metropolis M (a Dutch art magazine), Nest, Wired, Permanent Food, Archis (predecessor of Volume).

How many magazines do you buy / get / read each month? Do you qualify yourself a maniac?
Get: 25 a month; Buy: 1 - 4 a month. So no maniacs over here!

We are compiling answers from some of the most innovative magazine makers around the world today. Who else should we ask?
http://www.monu.org/ http://www.prss-release.org/.

Answered by Arjen / Lilet / Edwin / Christian Oosterman / Breddels / Gardner / Ernsten (editor in chief-publisher / editor-director/ webeditor / editor) Magazine: VOLUME Email: ao@archis.org Date: 15-10-2008