jeanne gang publishes 'the art of architectural grafting' to grow through repair

jeanne gang rethinks renovation with architectural grafting

In a timely exploration of sustainable design, Jeanne Gang‘s latest book, The Art of Architectural Grafting, proposes a novel approach to breathe new life into existing structures. Drawing inspiration from the horticultural practice of grafting — where two plants are fused to create a new, stronger organism — Gang argues for a similar methodology in architecture. Editor Julie Cirelli, in the book‘s foreword, emphasizes the need for architects to move beyond technical solutions and carbon offsets. Gang’s concept, she argues, encourages a deeper understanding of our relationship with the built environment and the natural world. The Art of Architectural Grafting has been published by Park Books, and is available worldwide for online orders with books available in North America on April 26th, 2024.

The Art of Architectural Grafting, image © Studio Gang

the value of reuse for a sustainable future

Jeanne Gang’s introduction lays the groundwork for the central theme of The Art of Architectural Grafting. The architect highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and the untapped potential of existing buildings. Grafting, as a concept, offers a framework for creative and impactful change. It encourages architects to move beyond demolition and celebrate the embodied carbon already present in our existing structures. The book challenges the traditional association of building adaptation solely with historic preservation. Gang argues that all buildings, regardless of architectural significance, hold environmental value. Reusing structures offers significant carbon footprint reductions compared to new construction.

The Art of Architectural Grafting, image © Studio Gang

a radical vision of forested cities

The Art of Architectural Grafting explores real-world applications of this approach by Jeanne Gang. Through case studies, including Studio Gang’s own projects like the recently completed Gilder Center at the American Museum of Natural History and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, the book showcases the diverse and innovative outcomes that grafting can produce. The book expands its scope beyond individual buildings, exploring the application of grafting principles to the urban scale. Gang focuses on post-industrial landscapes, proposing interventions that both revive these areas and create productive environments for the future. Gang further offers a captivating proposition: grafting productive forests onto neglected urban sites. By harnessing biodiverse forests, she envisions a future where cities can heal, create local building materials, and thrive together with nature.

‘Tabula rasa thinking was once avant-garde, but the climate crisis shows us we need a new way forward,’ said Jeanne Gang. ‘With the concept of architectural grafting, I hope to open new pathways for designers to seize the moment and reorient architectural practice — not just out of environmental necessity, but to renew our role as cultural leaders who envision and create a different future. Like horticultural grafters, we can add capacity to what already exists, caring for the old and simultaneously making original contributions to it. Grafting has enriched my own thinking and practice and I hope it sparks new conversations and ideas for our field.’