Rather than a catalog of works, Solid Objectives: Order, Edge, Aura is a visual and textual manifesto introducing an attitude towards the design and realization of architecture in an interconnected and global environment. Taking the form of a radical monograph, the book curates SO-IL's content based on conceptual themes, allowing the reader to have a generous, multi-dimensional and immersive experience, similar to how one would experience the firm's architecture.
This book introduces an eclectic and playful attitude towards the design and realization of architecture in a time of increased instability. Order, Edge, Aura is illustrated with many rarely seen images, mostly taken by photographer Iwan Baan, and punctuated with essays by SO-IL. The book is not a road map - it is a continuum of small and large spatial events. Moving through distinct conceptual themes, this trajectory is sequenced with moments of reflection and focus.
The exceptionally designed layout and the various paper qualities - from glossy to rough - underline the diversity of SO-IL's work. The internationally recognized studio is an aspiring New York-based architectural firm operating in the fields of architecture, urbanism and the arts.
Founded in 2008 by Florian Idenburg and Jing Liu, SO-IL is currently run-in partnership with Ilias Papageorgiou.