AA Visiting School Rio de Janeiro Head Roberto Boettger’s essay, The Life of a Sample, has been published on the Architecture Foundation. Roberto writes a meandering text about the life of a sample at 6a architects, where he works:

‘The intercom rings and someone lets the parcel man into the office. He carries a compact, heavy cardboard box, wrapped in clear sellotape with a large ‘fragile’ sticker on it. “This one is for you” – the office manager lets me know. The thrills of Christmas morning run through those who hear it. At my desk, the unwrapping begins. Cutting knife, bubble wrap, and delivery note aside, a long-waited material sample arrives. “It’s not that nice, actually” – says a colleague. I agree. Anticlimactic.’

The essay is part of a series known as the Supporter’s Column by the Architecture Foundation, which features texts from practitioners who support the Architecture Foundation and have also offered their current thoughts and concerns in practice through such texts.

Click here, to read Roberto’s essay.