The first part of “Architecture of Power"—"Power is in the Details"—zooms in on how seemingly minor details can incubate a new kind of sensitivity to the mechanics of power. A photographic essay focusing on the relationship between power and architecture stands central in this issue of Volume. Portraits of people in power and major commissioners are presented side by side with buildings that have dominated architectural discussions throughout the modern era. The supplement provided was made in collaboration with the Dutch Government Building Agency and includes a number of essays on the Netherlands spatial ambitions and how these should or should not be realized.

The Volume supplement addresses fate of three states, France, Great Britain and The Netherlands, and their architecture. All three states boast a rich architectural inheritance with cities drenched in historical value and architectonic refinement. No future architect will ever be able to escape their influence. Yet these three states struggle with their imperial legacies as former representatives of the mightiest nations on the planet who once ruled over colonies and oceans.