Archigram

Archigram was an influential avant-garde architectural group formed in London in the 1960s. Key members included Peter Cook, Warren Chalk, Ron Herron, Dennis Crompton, Michael Webb, and David Greene. The group was known for its utopian and dystopian visions of architecture and urbanism, often expressed through highly imaginative and speculative projects.

Archigram's work rejected the perceived stagnation of mainstream modern architecture. They embraced technology, pop culture, and a playful, experimental approach to design. Their designs often featured lightweight, modular, and mobile structures, reflecting a fascination with impermanence and adaptability.

Central to Archigram's philosophy was the idea of a "plug-in city," where building components could be easily added, removed, and rearranged to meet changing needs. They envisioned architecture as a dynamic and responsive system, rather than a static and monumental object. This concept influenced later developments in modular construction and flexible design.

Archigram communicated its ideas through publications, exhibitions, and lectures. Their magazine, Archigram, served as a platform for disseminating their radical visions and challenging conventional architectural thinking. Although few of their designs were actually built, their ideas had a profound impact on architectural theory and practice, inspiring generations of architects and designers to think beyond the constraints of traditional building methods and embrace the potential of technology to shape the built environment. Their work is often associated with the Metabolist movement in Japan, and is a key example of architectural futurism.