João Manuel Miranda, Tiago Antero (eds.)

This book, published by Circo de Ideias, edited by João Manuel Miranda and Tiago Antero, presents the results of a research project – «Lost Causes» – which aims to promote critical reflection on unbuilt projects and architectural competitions from multiple perspectives. «Lost Causes» focuses on the processes inherent to these fields, projects and competitions, based on two fundamental axes: possibility and politics.

The book brings together sixteen interviews with architects who not only actively participated in competitions, but were also an integral part of their evaluation or conception. It also includes interviews with professionals who reflect on the subject and/or are linked to organisations that outline and promote competitions. In addition to its reflective dimension, this publication presents more than fifty drawings on various causes, functioning as a collection in itself. This condition creates an opportunity for continuity, giving it the promise of remaining in a state of permanent incompleteness.

More than an exercise in nostalgia or lamentation, it is the development of a tool for critical analysis, the valorisation of professionals and the construction of political, cultural and labour thinking.