A NEW MANIFOLD, the inaugural issue of SAC JOURNAL, addres- ses the increased specialisation and possible fragmentation of ex- pertise within architecture. Whilst historically always an amalgam of numerous forms of input, architecture is currently facing the necessi- ty to assimilate and process hitherto unknown amounts and rates of information flow. How can architecture relate to the emerging forms of specialisation within the discipline - not the least in its pedagogy and academic programmes? The issue uses the academic programme of the Städelschule Architecture Class to reflect on these questions. The work presented comprises the finalists for the AIV Master Thesis Prize 2013.

Contributors to SAC JOURNAL No. 1 - A New Manifold include Beatriz Colomina, Ben van Berkel, Mirco Becker, Christian Veddeler, and Johan Bettum. SAC JOURNAL is a publication series that addresses topical issues within architecture. The journal documents, critically reviews and also presents theoretical discussions concerning contemporary design and research. The content of SAC JOURNAL is produced by invited national and international contributors and students and faculty at the Städelschule Architecture Class.