TC 156- Allied Works Architecture

Allied Works. Architecture 2003-2022

This monograph showcases the best of the last two decades of work by the American firm Allied Works, founded by Brad Cloepfil in Oregon in 1994.

The studio's name reflects its approach to architecture, not as an isolated discipline but as a conversation between diverse creative practices that inspire unique and individual responses.

Among the highlighted projects are the Clyfford Still Museum, where the careful manipulation of natural light and proportions creates an intimate experience with art, and the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis, a space that redefines the dialogue between art, place, and viewer. Also featured is the iconic conversion of a Portland warehouse for Wieden + Kennedy, a pioneering project that combines sustainability, adaptability, and a transformative approach that remains relevant today.

The book not only documents these projects but also delves into Allied Works’ theoretical approach through sketches, models, and reflections by Cloepfil himself. The studio's architecture is characterized by its ability to intertwine opposites such as open and closed, polished and rough, achieving a fusion of sculpture, drawing, and construction. Their methodology, rooted in deep site research and a strong ethic of community-based work, results in projects that emphasize context and amplify the inherent forces of their surroundings.

With over 300 pages, this volume combines technical drawings, photographs, and critical texts, offering a comprehensive view of an architectural practice that exists at the intersection of functionality and poetry.