Occupation: Boundary; Art, Architecture, and Culture at the Water examines the social, political, and cultural factors that contributed to the ‘rise-fall-revival’ trajectory of the urban waterfront. This story of the waterfront is told from the personal perspective of architect Cathy Simon, and is enhanced with anecdotes from her life on both American coasts. What is revealed are the values of the writer— what is important to her. As such, the reader learns about the role art and culture has played in Cathy’s life but also is asked to engage in a conversation about the production of art and how it activates the waterfront, continuing to contribute to its evolution. While New York City and San Francisco emerge as case studies, giving structure to the narrative, Occupation:Boundary, richly illustrated with images and drawings, presents the work of Cathy Simon and the work of contemporary architects in other coastal cities who practice at the threshold between land and sea.

by Cathy Simon, with Carrie Eastman

edited by Ashley Simone

designer: Luke Bulman

contributors: John King, Laurie Olin, Justine Shapiro-Kline

Oro Editions, Research & Design Imprint