Description

The Mythic Modern: Architectural Expeditions into the Spirit of Place by Travis Price is a highly illustrated architectural monograph that documents over fifteen years of international design-build expeditions led by architecture students and professionals working under Price’s direction.

Published in 2012 by ORO Editions, the book examines a unique approach to architecture that merges contemporary design with deep respect for local environments, indigenous cultures, and mythological storytelling. Rather than treating architecture as isolated construction, Price frames it as an immersive cultural experience shaped by geography, memory, and human connection to place.

The projects featured in the book span diverse global locations including Nepal, Ireland, Italy, Finland, the Amazon, and Machu Picchu, where temporary and permanent installations were designed and built in collaboration with students and local communities. These works are described as explorations of “spirit of place,” where each structure responds to its natural and cultural surroundings rather than imposing upon them.

Key themes include:

• Architecture as cultural and spiritual expression
• Design-build expeditions in remote landscapes
• Integration of indigenous knowledge and local storytelling
• Environmental sensitivity and sustainable design thinking
• The relationship between myth, landscape, and modern design
• Educational architecture and experiential learning
• Human interaction with natural environments

The book combines narrative accounts of field expeditions with detailed design explanations, sketches, and photographic documentation of the building process. It highlights the challenges and discoveries encountered during construction in remote environments, often under extreme logistical conditions.

Through its interdisciplinary approach, The Mythic Modern positions architecture as a form of cultural dialogue rather than purely technical practice. It reflects Travis Price’s broader philosophy of environmentally conscious and spiritually informed design, where buildings are seen as extensions of place rather than separations from it.

Richly illustrated with colour photography and design documentation, the book serves both as a visual archive and a conceptual exploration of how architecture can reconnect modern practice with ancient cultural and ecological awareness.

ISBN 9780982622681