The ARCC Journal is seeking papers focused on research and rigorous methodologies employed in the study and making of architecture. The area of focus of the Spring 2008 issue of the journal is "ARCHITECTURE AS A COMMUNICATIVE MEDIUM".

As sensuous beings, we experience “place” as self, yet our sensibility of this experience is defined by our relationship with the other. Thus, an effective place design is one that can cross over the limits enforced by abstract experience into the semiotic constructs required for linguistic expression. In addition, evolving philosophies in art, economics, politics, and technology give new methods and manners of semantic appropriation of architecture – by both designers and participants.

For the Spring 2008 issue of ARCC Journal we invite papers which explore expression in its various forms in the design and/or critique of architecture. Discussion may include (but not limit to) study of historic precedents and theoretical constructs in the relationship of language and architecture; the use of semantic expression in the teaching of architecture; new semantic appropriations of architecture as enabled by new technologies; sustainability as a form of expression in architecture/design; as well as the evolution and extinction of architectural entities and philosophies in evolving socio-cultural contexts. Papers submitted may present empirical research that deal with the design of architecture (and/or its elements) or speculative research that looks at theoretical frameworks for empirical work leading to the design of architecture (and/or its elements). We encourage participation from disciplines outside architecture (art, landscape, computation, planning) to frame design and the built environment within the context of semantics and linguistic expression.

There is a two step process for accepting paper proposals.

1) Initial proposal includes a cover page, 300 word abstract, outline of content, keywords and key references, images (optional). Submission: cover + maximum 3 pages, with no identifying content. All paper proposals are subject to a blind peer review process by an editorial board drawn from member schools and named by the ARCC Journal review editorial review board. (Due March 1, 2008: send as pdf via e-mail to mwingert@temple.edu)

2) Full papers are reviewed by ARCC review committee. Papers are expected to be roughly 5,000 words. Instructions for paper submission will be sent with letters of acceptance. (Draft paper due April 20, 2008, final paper due May 20, 2008)

A schedule for the May 2008 edition of the journal is as follows:

January 28: call for papers begins
February 29: abstracts due
March 14: peer review of abstracts complete
April 14: full papers due
April 30: papers peer reviewed, comments to author
May 16: final papers due
End of May: publish journal

For further information contact:
J. Brooke Harrington, Editor, ARCC Journal: jharring@temple.edu
Anijo Punnen Mathew, Guest Editor: amathew@caad.msstate.edu