Mongrel Rapture: The Architecture of Ashton Raggatt McDougall (projects)

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: 'Mongrel Rapture' captures the polarising work of Ashton Raggatt McDougall (ARM), which Charles Jencks identifies as one of a handful of architectural practices internationally that operates in a mould he describes as 'Radical Post Modernism'. Part scrapbook, part critical exegesis, it combines photography and plans of ARM's major buildings with essays from highly regarded critics. Ian and Howard, as Directors of the Practice, contributed to the primary authorship of the projects and exegetical texts. They are attributed as Associate Editors. From interviews with the publisher they contributed to the written content, structure and discursive design layout of the book. ARM are listed as co-designers with Stuart Geddes. RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: The book is a rigorous 1616-page review of ARM's multiple award-winning practice. The book is a career retrospective of 30 years in practice, and reflects ARM's 2016 Gold Medal - the highest award of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) to recognise distinguished service by Australian architects. According to Callum Morton, the book demonstrates that 'after nearly 30 years ARM remains defiantly, generously and religiously dedicated to the dissemination of ideas and the ongoing dialogue around the development of an experimental and critical architectural culture in Melbourne and, more broadly, Australia.' RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: Mongrel Rapture won the 2015 Bates Smart State Award for Architecture in the Media from the AIA: the nation's most prestigious media award in architecture and design. Designed in association with Stuart Geddes, it won the Pinnacle award from the Australian Graphic Design Association. At the Australian Book Design Awards 2016, it won Best Designed Fully-illustrated Book over RRP $50 and the Designers' Choice Book of the Year. It received critical reviews in the Australian Design Review and Architecture Australia, and featured in Sydney Morning Herald and Architecture and Design.