It seems an eternal distinction: sometimes people build, sometimes they destroy. However, since we have a concept of modernity, we also understand that building is very often based on sheer destruction. It is ‘the price of progress’. A new insight is now emerging: much destruction also has an agenda. It has a precision that reminds us of architecture. It has a formal dimension that reminds us of design. In this issue: explore the sinister creativity of Cities Unbuilt.

In an age of conflict, civil war and the (re)construction of urban spaces, destruction has become an alternative form of architecture, challenging both the traditional role and place of architecture and various forms of international supervision. This issue of Volume examines this new realism through a variety of different studies, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Kosovo.

It seems an eternal distinction: sometimes people build, sometimes they destroy. However, since we have a concept of modernity, we also understand that building is very often based on sheer destruction. It is ‘the price of progress’. A new insight is now emerging: much destruction also has an agenda. It has a precision that reminds us of architecture. It has a formal dimension that reminds us of design. In this issue: explore the sinister creativity of Cities Unbuilt.

In an age of conflict, civil war and the (re)construction of urban spaces, destruction has become an alternative form of architecture, challenging both the traditional role and place of architecture and various forms of international supervision. This issue of Volume examines this new realism through a variety of different studies, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Kosovo.

Volume 11 includes contributions by Caroline Arnulf, Robert Bevan, Christophe Catsaros, Esther Charlesworth, Aukje Dekker, F.A.S.T. includes Daniela Belleli, Anil Korotane, Venk Prakash. Christiaan Fruneaux, Thilo Fuchs, Wilfried Hackenbroich, Andrew Herscher, Joost Janmaat, Florina Jerliu, Chris Keulemans, Reineke Otten, Gerlinde Schuller, Nick Shepherd, Malkit Shoshan, Michael Stanton, Studio Beirut includes Steve Eid, Pascale Hares, Bernard Mallat, Nabil Menhem, Joe Mounzer, Rani Rajji. Sophia Tabatadze, Dirk-Jan Visser, Kai Vöckler.