Margi Reeve introduces Mark and Peter Anderson, describing their experimental prefabricated housing prototypes for the U.S. and Japan, noting their teaching in Seattle and Hawaii.

Peter Anderson characterizes his firm’s engagement in architecture, planning, construction, and teaching as “Playing in Traffic.” He identifies three themes: Earthwork, Framing, and Plumbing.

Under the theme of “Earthwork,” Mark Anderson describes “Prairie Ladder,” as a study of the Texas prairie, and presents proposals for five different structures. He explains that the intention of the project is to invoke an experience of the prairie in a visceral way. Anderson shows of series of models demonstrating how the structures will be occupied.

Under the theme of “Framing,” Peter Anderson explains how the earliest focus in their many projects was on the actual site. He documents experiments with structural and framing systems. He explains their involvement with Japan’s construction industry, elaborating on the process of exporting low-cost American-style framing techniques to Japan during an economic recession.

Mark Anderson discusses the application of “Plumbing” to a broader architectural discourse. He describes the fabrication of an art installation for the Alaska Design Forum that would convey essential physical data about Anchorage. He describes the challenges of working with engineers and plumbers in realizing an inflatable bladder system. He documents a competition entry for an extension of the Prado Museum done in collaboration with Andrew Zago.