SOILED is an architecture magazine released periodically that centers on architecture, design, and the interactions between humans and space.[1] It incorporates the visual elements of design magazines and publishes original writing in the style of a literary magazine. It aims to break down boundaries between architects and non-architects through this combination. Its open submission format allows the publication "to extend the architectural dialogue beyond the community of the discipline to engage the larger public."[2]
SOILED is produced out of the archizine tradition. This movement aims to "celebrate(s) and promote(s) the recent resurgence of alternative and independent architectural publishing from around the world."[3] Archinect, a network of architecture professionals, said of the magazine, "SOILED gets its hands dirty unknitting the systems-fabric of the built environment's varied networks, through whatever collaborative means necessary."[4]
The magazine, started in 2011, is based in Chicago, Illinois and published by the design practice Could Be Architecture. In 2013, the magazine pursued a Kickstarter campaign in order to fund production. There the team cited its mission as: "SOILED aims to push the potential of the printed page and reconnect with the materials and landscape from which its content originates."[5] The magazine remains supported by donations at present.
To date, the magazine has published seven issues — Groundscrapers, Skinscrapers, Platescrapers, Windowscrapers, Cloudscrapers, Deathscrapers, and Animatescrapers.[6] The publication is run by an all-volunteer team and releases issues annually.
It has been featured in exhibitions like Archzines[7] and the Chicago Architecture Biennial.[8] Issues and their releases have been featured in publications like Architizer[9] and Coverjunkie.[10]