Invented from Copies : Blueprints, Whiteprints, Zips and Photocopies in the Architectural Office, 1870-2000 - Nieuwe Instituut, Ellen Smit, Clara Haardt, Hetty Berens, Carolin Lange
· A thought-provoking exploration of the overlooked role of photocopies and reproductions in architectural practice and collections
· Richly illustrated with blueprints, whiteprints, colourful adhesive films (Zips), rub-down lettering and photocopies
· Featuring previously unpublished material from the National Collection for Dutch Architecture and Urban Planning at the Nieuwe Instituut
In architectural and design practice, copies and reproductions are far more than simple duplicates. From blueprints and whiteprints to colourful adhesive films and photocopies, these technologies have shaped the way architects think, work and create.
For the first time, Invented from Copies tells the remarkable story of how analogue reproduction techniques transformed architectural design between 1870 and 2000. The book examines four key methods used by architects and designers: the blueprint, the whiteprint, Zips and the photocopy, revealing how these tools opened up new possibilities within the creative process.
Drawing on a wealth of previously unpublished material from the National Collection for Dutch Architecture and Urban Planning at the Nieuwe Instituut, Invented from Copies explores the working methods and design processes of leading figures including Pierre Cuypers, Gerrit Rietveld, Van den Broek en Bakema, Carel Weeber and Jo Coenen.
Combining original research with a striking visual archive, Invented from Copies offers fresh insights into the history of architectural practice. Essential reading for architects, designers, historians and archivists, it also makes a persuasive case for reassessing the significance of photocopies and other analogue reproductions within architectural collections worldwide.
Author: Nieuwe Instituut, Ellen Smit, Clara Haardt, Hetty Berens, Carolin Lange
Publisher: Nai101 Publishers
Format: Paperback
Pages: 204
ISBN: 9789462089556
Publication date: November 2025