Architecture today faces social upheavals that are increasingly difficult to ignore. The demand for housing, changing visions on education, the collective past, open space and new care needs are all themes that are growing more urgent by the day. The hesitant response to these issues puts the (international) success of architecture from Flanders and Brussels into perspective.

Flanders Architectural Review N°15. Alliances with the Real brings together a rich selection of much-discussed recent projects that offer a surprising response to these challenges. Ten essays and two photo series critically reflect upon and hold up a mirror to the architectural field. Alliances with the Real calls for social engagement and social entrepreneurship from all who contribute to the (un)built environment.

With essays by Livia de Bethune, Sofie De Caigny, Maarten Desmet, Hülya Ertas, Marleen Goethals, Petrus Kemme, Marc Martens, Mark Pimlott, Martino Tattara and Kiki Verbeeck.

With photo essays by Sepideh Farvardin and Miles Fischler.