Abundance not capital: The lively architecture of Anapuma Kundoo

Capital’s voracious appetite forces architecture into a regime of “never enough.” The current realities of building involve extraction and exploitation, which, in turn, cause climate breakdown, environmental ruin, alienated labor conditions, and the destruction of local construction knowledge. But what if we could do architecture differently? What does non-extractivist architecture look like?

In this book, Angelika Fitz and Elke Krasny introduce the concept of abundance to call for a paradigm shift in architecture. Using as its example the exceptional work of architect Anupama Kundoo, this book shows that non-extractivist and non-exploitative architecture is undeniably possible. Kundoo, born in Pune, India, weaves together innovative technological experimentation and traditional crafts. With careful consideration of local resources, building skills, climate, and environment, she makes buildings that embody spatial beauty and graceful materiality.

Edited by Angelika Fitz, Elke Krasny and Architekturzentrum Wien

With contributions of Shumi Bose, Jordan Carver, Peggy Deamer, Madhavi Desai, Angelika Fitz, Rupali Gupte, Ranjit Hoskote, Elke Krasny, Charlotte Malterre-Barthes, Shannon Mattern, and Laurie Parsons.

MIT Press, 2025

24 X 17 cm, 304 pages