nonconform has been transforming spaces in Germany and Austria for over twenty years. As far as the interdisciplinary collective is concerned, architecture is more than just the final, photogenic result: it is an exciting, horizon-broadening process that engages the citizens of a municipality, the inhabitants of a city neighbourhood, a companys employees, or the students and teachers at a school as expert stakeholders. The idea behind this approach is that participation is simultaneously the best common denominator and most important foundation of lived building culture. This book offers a behind-the-scenes view of the unconventional planning office and features insights from building contractors and other experts.

Wojciech Czaja is an independent journalist for publications including Der Standard, as well as an author and moderator. Barbara Feller is an architecture educator and publicist, chair of the bink Built Environment Education for Young People association, and has been managing director of the Architekturstiftung Österreich since 1996.