Amazon.com description: Product Description: Abstract presents the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation of Columbia University as a multifaceted laboratory for research and experimentation through a catalogue of exceptional student work, faculty texts, and images of the events that characterize the atmosphere of the school. It has an introductory text by Dean Mark Wigley and includes work conducted by each of the school's programs – Architecture, Urban Design, Historic Preservation, and Real Estate Development. This newest volume of abstract includes projects from the design studios of Hernan Diaz Alonso, Karl Chu, Lise Anne Couture, Laurie Hawkinson, Steven Holl, Jeffrey Kipnis, Greg Lynn, LOT/EK, Jurgen Mayer, and Lars Spuybroek among many others. This edition of Abstract is the second designed by Stefan Sagmeister and includes a DVD of the various events held at the school.