Dwell is intellectual modernism with a conscience.
Written: Mar 14 '03 (Updated Jun 24 '04)
Product Rating:
Pros: Focus on architecture, some affordable options, intellectual writing
Cons: Some not-so-affordable options, can be elitist
The Bottom Line: A unique magazine that focuses on modern architecture and design. There is a lot of intellectual writing that sometimes succeeds but can be condescending at times.
modernmarvel's Full Review: Dwell Magazine Subscription
Dwell is unique because it focuses on modern residential architecture yet tries to appeal to average people by explaining design. Dwell covers interior design, however, many interiors are covered as part of the design whole rather than being the main focus.
Dwell is extremely different from traditional design magazines that show wealthy people's outrageously expensive homes. Dwell tries to focus on doing more with less money by being creative. Dwell also has intellectual articles and a focus on the environment.
STYLE
If you ever wanted a dome house in the middle of a desert, this is the magazine for you. The magazine focuses on houses that are unique, modern and well-designed for their environments. Many homes use untraditional materials including concrete, steel, aluminum, cork and lots of glass. You won't find any center hall colonials or raised ranches.
The magazine encourages you to refer to your house as your "space" and then to think about your "space" in a whole new way (it helps to wear a black turtleneck sip obscure French wine while attempting this). Consider a swing in your living room or a bedroom on stilts. Anything is possible, although it is not always practical.
Of course, like most other design magazines, Dwell features a lot of unobtainable homes. These homes, while presented as simple or as using inexpensive materials, are really quite expensive for the average person by the time you hire a design firm for the unique design and find a talented builder to implement it. The uniqueness alone make the homes hard to duplicate.
Additionally, Dwell interiors almost always have the unobtainable clutter-free, sparse furniture look. There is a lot of new modern furniture and also old classics. Look for Eames chairs and Noguchi tables.
After architecture, Dwell's next focus is innovative design. They usually highlight new products that have interesting or unique designs. Some of these unique designs can be purchased through the designer, others never make it to mass production.
CONSCIENCE
One thing I really like about this magazine is that they are environmentally conscious. If a new piece of furniture is made from recycled materials, it get a big mention. Many featured houses have environmentally-friendly features incorporated into their design.
Dwell also has frequent articles on environmental issues including how architecture and design can be modified to take advantage of new technology to have a lesser impact on the environment. They also cover environmental issues. A recent article was titled, "Sustainability Can Be Fun."
INTELLECTUALISM
This magazine uses big words and grand concepts. In Dwell, design is not merely about aesthetics, it is about the environment, culture and politics as well. Consider the following statement by Allison Ariefe, the Editor in Chief, "While in academia, I published near impenetrable, jargon-laden tracts on cultural politics that were read by precisely 13 people." She goes on to say, "[i]f and when I heard from any of them, it usually had something to do with endnotes - or hermeneutics."
If this is a mere editorial, I would hate to see the jargon-laden tracts from her academic period. I am still trying to figure out what "hermeneutics" is.
Author David A. Greene states in his article, "Better Viewing Though Chemistry," that his "adversion to the very idea of 'home theater' has a socio-political aspect." David is a bit more more reflective than I usually am while considering large purchases.
While some magazines try to be highbrow by appealing to the wealthy (Home & Garden, for one), Dwell can be highbrow and occasionally pretentious in its intellectual approach to design. While I usually enjoy the analysis, it can occasionally be over the top or condescending.
ARTICLES
Dwell has more articles than other, more traditional, design magazines. The articles generally focus on design however they span a wide variety of topics. As I mentioned before, the articles are generally well-written, however a few authors can go a little over the top when it comes to preaching on design. Dwell is also a great place to improve your vocabulary as all the authors seem to try to out do each other in the number of large words they work into their essays.
FEATURED HOMES
There are always several featured homes in the magazines. There are photos of the featured homes, however there are less than other, more traditional, decorating magazines. However, the accompanying articles are usually longer as they try to explain all of the unique approaches and design features in the houses. A high proportion of the photos feature the outside of the homes.
DEPARTMENTS
From the Dwell web site, here the the departments that can generally be found in the magazine. The examples of articles are from the March 2003 issue:
In the Modern World: the latest exhibitions, products, books, and fascinating facts
My House: When it comes to decorating, what's more important-cash or creativity?
Detail: With his ingenious use of aluminum, Toyo Ito brings his flair for the fantastic to bricks and mortar-minus the mortar.
Off the Grid: a new concept for a sustainable and modern house.
Dwell Reports: In mid-century vacation land (a.k.a. Palm Springs, CA), a hotelier offers expert advice on finding a platform bed that's stylish and can stand up to a honeymoon.
Nice Modernist: Architect Anne Fougeron's thoughtful work for Planned Parenthood proves that security doesn't have to come at the expense of aesthetics.
Elsewhere: Mauricio Rodriguez Anza and his family bid a conflicted farewell to Mexico City and build their dream hacienda in a suburb just 30 minutes away.
Invention: Is the K2 a versatile kitchen unit, a sculpture, a mystery wrapped in an enigma, or just a mountain in Pakistan?
Archive: An author and his wife transform Woman's Day magazine's 1966 Vermont Vacation Cabin into a pad for all seasons.
Dwell Labs: Too many CDs? Dwell offers advice on preventing your living space from looking like a badly organized record store.
The Dwell Home: We proudly introduce the 16 architects and designers-and the lucky homeowners-to-be-of the Dwell Home Design Invitational.
Travel: Focus on Washington D.C.
Bathrooms 101: In today's bathroom, even the lowly toilet brush has been elevated to high art. Plus five cool tubs, unconventional materials, and a brief history of bathing.
Sourcing: Where to buy products featured in the magazine.
Houses We Love: A retired dentist builds his own home in Zachary, LA, and the results are as satisfying as hearing the words "no cavities."
ADVERTISEMENTS
There are a lot of ads in Dwell, just like other magazines. The ads in Dwell, however, are often unique than other magazines. Advertisers offer a lot of modern furniture, unique building materials shown in the magazine and affordable accessories. In short, they are helpful in creating a modern "space."
STATS
The magazine is on medium grade paper, not as nice as Architectural Digest and better than Better Homes & Gardens. It is also relatively short compared to other magazines, usually under 150 pages.
PRICE
A one year subscription is 8 issues and costs $19.95.
WEB SITE
www.dwellmag.com
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
I like Dwell because it is so unlike other design magazines. It offers less photos but more articles and text. The features are usually about architecture although interior design is also covered. I find many articles thought provoking and I like the focus on creativity rather than just throwing dollars at a design until it looks good. While not everything in this magazine is obtainable for the average person, there is a lot here that can be adapted to my use.
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