Architecture fanzine builds an impressive reputation

An ‘alternative’ publication which a University of Greenwich lecturer helped to launch is creating plenty of interest in the architectural world.

Matthew Butcher, who teaches in the university’s School of Architecture, Design & Construction, runs P.E.A.R. – Paper for Emerging Architectural Research – along with three co-editors, Rashid Ali, Julian Krueger and Megan O'Shea. Their publication, which they refer to as a fanzine, is growing steadily in popularity in the UK and overseas, and recently gained a glowing review in the New York Times.

P.E.A.R. is a world away from a traditional academic journal. Printed on newspaper stock, the fanzine, which has now reached its fourth issue, provides a forum for contributors to discuss architectural ideas, research and projects.

Matthew describes it as a lively alternative to the mainstream architectural press. “P.E.A.R. is simply brimming with passion for architecture, and the ‘inky fanzine’ look and feel reflects that,” he says.

“We aimed to create a highly accessible publication, and so we didn’t want to be elitist or narrow in our focus. It is aimed at anyone with an interest in the subject, including students, of course, but certainly not limited to those in academia. We do seem to be getting a positive reaction in the architectural world, which shows there is definitely an audience for the sort of ideas and musings we put into the publication.”

Sales of P.E.A.R. are at their highest point since it was launched and the demand for for its most recent issue includes outlets in Germany, the United States and New Zealand.

In each issue, a variety of architects, artists, academics and writers are invited to contribute, and each issue has a general theme – issue four, for example, was about ‘Dwelling’. The New York Times paid tribute to P.E.A.R. as part of “a new generation of alternative publications and editorial talent”.

The New York Times article is at: http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/29/london-underground-architecture-in-print/

To find out about studying architecture at the University of Greenwich, please see http://www.gre.ac.uk/schools/adc, email courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or call 020 8331 9000.

Story by Public Relations

Picture: Matthew Butcher, one of the co-editors of the P.E.A.R. fanzine. Photo by Amy De Wit.