On Architecture and the Construction Industry

Co-edited by Charlotte Malterre-Barthes and Sarah Nichols (Hatje Cantz, 2026), this text is the fourth volume in the Political Economy of Space series. This edition exposes the invisible corporate forces—clients, developers, and contractors—shaping architectural production. By examining how finance, real estate, and corporate management systems dictate urban form, the book reveals how building is fundamentally bound to capital rather than pure design intent. Rather than lamenting this lack of autonomy, it provides the essential groundwork for architects to productively navigate these corporate landscapes. Featured contributors include Sara Stevens, Tiphanie Paré, Davide Spina, and Irene Brisson.