P.E.A.R (Paper for Emerging Architecture Research), a new architectural fanzine, was launched last night at The Building Centre. It is the brainchild of Matthew Butcher, Rashid Ali and Julian Krueger; all architects who are also involved in teaching at the Bartlett, Nottingham and Cardiff University respectively. PEAR presents work from contemporary architectural practices, researchers and individuals working across architecture, design, art and photography. Its aim is to present the complexity and variety of contemporary architectural practices. Contributors to this first issue include AOC, Bruce Davidson and Tobias Klein, Friendandcompany Architects, GortScott Architects, Adam Khan Architects, Liquid Factory, Photolanguage and PostWorks. Gian Luca Amadei met up with two of the editors of P.E.A.R, Matthew Butcher and Rashid Ali, to find out more about this new publication.
What is the idea behind P.E.A.R.?
MB: I think we all [Matthew Butcher, Rashid Ali and Julian Krueger] wanted to push forward architectural research and show what is happening at the fringes of architecture practice. We also wanted to give this opportunity to younger practices as well as to more established, mainstream ones. The aim was to create a document, which could represent a full range of ideas across the discipline. In this way we are hoping to give to the reader a clear picture of the possibilities of architecture.
How have you found the move from teaching to the world of print and media?
RA: In terms of production, this is something I have been involved in the past, but not so fully in the process as for PEAR. Now I can see the whole thing.
MB: When we went to the printers the day P.E.A.R. was getting printed, it felt like a magic moment to see the magazine coming off the press, to see the material object. When we took some copies to the AA bookshop we put some copies of P.E.A.R. next to other glossy publications on sale and we felt the fanzine had its own material identity.
How did you develop the very bold graphic layout for PEAR?
RA: I have previously worked with [graphic designer] Avni Patel – it is rare for me to come across someone who I would trust totally. Avni helped us a great deal: she has such a strong graphic perspective it’s really inspiring.
MB: When we first started talking to Avni about P.E.A.R., we didn’t want the fanzine to look retro or to be purely a pastiche. She understood immediately the essence of what we wanted to do and captured that in the graphic layout. When you look at the cover of P.E.A.R. you understand how her interests are rooted in avant-garde publications and surrealist or futurist magazines.
Is the choice of a fanzine format linked in anyway to the economic downturn?
RA: Yes there is a lot of energy around. I think it is a time for people to reflect and have ideas. As we have been involved in education, nothing for us has really dramatically changed in the last two or three years.
MB: Our decision to go for the fanzine format wasn’t driven by the recession. But by the type of responses we had, we realised that people are very interested in the idea of a fanzine on architectural research. This is in no way a substitute to the practice of building architecture, but is a means of communicating architecture. This is a new space for architects to express their thoughts.
Where do you see the future of P.E.A.R.? Where you would like to take the publication?
RA: As well as being printed media we see it as a platform for discussion, in the form of talks, seminars, exhibitions so as to grow a community of like-minded people.
MB: I see it as a fluid platform, showcasing ideas what would not necessarily be published in the mainstream architecture press and projects which are not as refined or as perfect as a finish concept but still retain their rawness and immediacy. 
PEAR magazine
Avni Patel
The Building Centre
