Topical Building provides a timely reflection on the work of Hugh Cullum Architects, a practice notable for thoughtful and sensitive design-seen both in renovation and extension projects such as at St Michael's Community Centre and Cloister Garden in London and in innovative new-build projects, including their current collaboration with artist Kate Whiteford for a radical new house, part-building and part-landscape, near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.
Topical Building shows how the practice's work is informed by a distinctive attitude to materials and the tectonics of building. It lays emphasis on the importance of craftsmanship, responding to a broad context, including the client's aspirations, the physical surroundings and the cultural milieu.
Further key projects explored include the Mill Cove House in Cork, a house and studio for the painter Shaun Stanley and retail projects for Graff Diamonds in London, Hong Kong and Tokyo.The work is contextualised with articles and interviews from and with contributors including Alan Powers, Charles Rattray and Pierre d'Avoine.